Are black Westin tube steps durable??

I'm thinking seriously about buying a set for my '11 and I see that the black steps are warrantied for 3 years while the stainless ones are for life. That begs the question - how well can I expect the black ones to hold up?

Some feedback based on personal experience would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I have had the black smittybilt on my truck for about a year. Still look fine but the only reason I got black is because my truck is magnetic grey and to me the black looked better. Other than that I would have spent a little extra and purchased the stainless. I've seen pictures of the black ones rusting, but I believe that will only happen if the paint/powder coat gets damaged. Only time will tell. Bought mine from Auto Anything. Good price and free shipping. If money is no object get welded on sliders instead.

 

I've personally never seen a set of black ones hold up more than 5 yrs. I've seen stainless and chrome ones hold up on trucks 10-15 yrs old that the owners told me they put on when they bought the truck.

I personally have the stainless Trail FX ones on my DCLB, the paint on the brackets flaked off but the steps look great after a year and 4 months.

 

this might be a stupid comment but why not just buy stainless steel ones and make them black...? possible right?

 

just get yourself some sliders and call it a day. > for about the same amount of money on pre fabbed ones and any slider should as long or longer. IMO plus they look better.

 

I got the black Westin bull bar and tube steps a couple weeks after buying the truck back in 07. The only place showing wear is the back bracket of the steps due to rocks being thrown...I just give the bracket a coat of gloss black every year to keep it looking good. Also, I wax the tubes and use Mother's "Back to Black" on the pads of the steps. The powder paint is very durable.

 

Hi Gregg, What part of Jersey are you from ? I just got mine from AutoAnything - $237 Free shipping. Hope they hold up. I would have gone for the SS but thought the black would look better.

 

I had a 2000 Tacoma with the black Westin step tubes.
The first set lasted about 5 to 6 years and rusted really bad.
I put another set on in 2006 they were still on the truck when Toyota bought my truck back for the recall, the only reason I put them on is because they were REAL CHEAP.

 

The black one will rust out within a couple of years if u live up north. I went through two sets of them on my old truck in 8 years. The road salt will eat them up.

 

I just bought some smittybilts and expect them to be put on tomorrow. I live up north where they use salt on roads like it was free. I take pretty good care of my stuff, but you cant always get to the salt and I know its gonna get these things. If I can get 3 years out of them, I will be happy.

 

I've got black Westins on my F250 and they started rusting at about 5 yrs.I went with stainless on the Taco.If you want black stainless Summit Racing carries them.

 

I would not spend $237 on "tube steps" of any kind. For about the same amount money you could have real sliders that will protect your truck. Tube steps have been known to create more damage to vehicles while off roading if hit. If your not offroading much, it should not matter. I personally like the Tacoma Factory running boards made of a black molded plastic. I think they look cleaner then tube steps, with the black color and thin profile design. Have you seen these?

 

Amazon has them free shipping, i paid $180 ish 2 months ago.

 

I just got mine too. I hope I get more then 3 years - SS was just $100 more and they should last for ever. I have read on TW that the SS are just steel coated with chrome. Hard to believe they could get away with that.

 

I got mine from AutoAnything for $237. I'd like to know how you paid $180 ? I checked Amazon and the only one I found didn't fit my truck.

$400 Smittybilt T0654FJ Smittybilt Nerf Steps for 2006-16 Toyota FJ Cruiser, Textured Black, Pair

http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-T0...e=Toyota|76&Year=2008|2008&newCar=1&carId=005

 

Thanks for all the feed-back. Since I plan to own this truck a long time and I do live in "salt country", I have rulled the black Westins out now. (not even sure they make them for the access cab anyway). Will now focus on SS; don't care for the look of running boards.

 

I live in Vermont, and I've had the black Westins on my access cab for just over a year now. So far so good, no rust, and just the normal scratches from use.

 

I have the factory Toyota step tubes on my 08 TRD Rugged Trail and love them.
Someone told me they are painted aluminum, they bolt right up.
They came on my truck from the factory, but knowing what I do now if it came without them that is what I would put on.

 

AutoAnything has a decent price on Smittybuilt steps. They have the SS. From what I've read here on TW they are the same as Nfab for less $. Use the code loyalty for a good is count. Free shipping and no sales tax.

 

Got mine on today. Ordered Smittybilt - the steps have NFab embossed on the steps. No reason to pay extra for NFab, they are the same. I never read directions so I always get into trouble. I put them on by myself. Use a couple of milk crates to hold them up. Once you get one bolt in the middle bracket you are good to go. Don't forget to take all the plugs out first. Ask me how I know. There is only one hole in the body for the front bracket even though there are two holes in the bracket. The front of the passenger side tube hit the seam on the body so I used the two extra washers for spacers.