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Nerf Bar....... Running Board

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Jolly Onion, Aug 30, 2016.

  1. Aug 30, 2016 at 2:43 PM
    #1
    Jolly Onion

    Jolly Onion [OP] Cheap is not Good & Good is not Cheap

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    Forest Hills, N.Y
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    Greetings

    After 11 years of great service, and protecting my truck from minor hits on all sides, My Waag Nerf Bar/Running Boards are getting rusty. I was thinking about getting another set, but wanted to ask you what other brands I may consider.

    Black or aluminum is what I am interested in. Prefer powder coated aluminum as metal eventually rusts.

    Any suggestions will be appreciated.

    Alex
     
  2. Aug 30, 2016 at 2:52 PM
    #2
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Go Hawks!
    Are you familiar with the difference between nerf bars and sliders? If you wheel your truck you may consider upgrading to heavy duty sliders instead. They are designed to take heavy blows and protect your truck whereas Nerf bars are really only going to protect it from door dings. If you don't wheel, then they would be overkill.
     
  3. Aug 30, 2016 at 3:01 PM
    #3
    Jolly Onion

    Jolly Onion [OP] Cheap is not Good & Good is not Cheap

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    Thanks for the reply

    The truck is city/highway driven most of the time. I would place sliders just for protection purposes (people running red lights, etc.)

    They need to be bolt on so i can do it myself.

    post your favorite links for the sliders please.

    Thanks

    A
     
  4. Aug 30, 2016 at 3:16 PM
    #4
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    I went with All Pro, which are bolt on but do require some drilling. I have a 2nd gen though and am less familiar with first gen slider options. All Pro is 15% off right now on armor for Labor Day. But realistically, if you don't wheel nerf bars are probably better suited for your needs as they weigh less and cost less.
     
  5. Aug 30, 2016 at 3:16 PM
    #5
    mtucker

    mtucker Tacoma addict

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    Escondido, CA.
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    Replaced chrome badges with Sockmonkey black badges, painted billet grill black, K&N cold air intake, my corner light turn signal circuit, Speedfreek traction bars, RAAMaudio BXT/Ensolite, Stereo: Kenwood KIV-701 USB/Bluetooth deck, 10" Pioneer shallow sub behind the rear seat, Infinity 6822cf 6x8 front and rear doors, Fosgate P400-2 (sub), US Acoustics USX-4065 (four main speakers)
    I have had the black Westin Nerf bars on my double cab for seven years. They come in "smooth Black powder-coat" http://www.autoanything.com/nerf-bars/77A1753A2434235.aspx They stick out a little bit past the doors so they will help door dings some (doors that curve in towards the bottom a lot will still hit). No rust, but it is pretty dry around here. Bolt-on, no drilling.
     
  6. Aug 30, 2016 at 5:40 PM
    #6
    Jolly Onion

    Jolly Onion [OP] Cheap is not Good & Good is not Cheap

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    Last edited: Aug 30, 2016
  7. Aug 30, 2016 at 7:13 PM
    #7
    Jolly Onion

    Jolly Onion [OP] Cheap is not Good & Good is not Cheap

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    Followup as I am ready to order

    The above with the curved ends that I like is not available for 2004 Crew cab

    I like the Westin brand. But need to ask if anyone has had experience with any of the other brands. Just trying to buy the better one. They all have decent ratings but the price range is wide. I don't mind paying for good products, but don't like paying for advertisement.

    http://www.autoanything.com/nerf-bars/20A50172A1.aspx?N=4294957080+4294957102

    Thanks Gents
     
  8. Aug 30, 2016 at 7:52 PM
    #8
    Lifted 03 Tacoma

    Lifted 03 Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    3in lift, wheels and tires, k&n intake, Gibson exhaust, headache rack, side steps, 42in curved light bar, CBI Moab 1.0 bumper, Rigid Dully spot cubes, 285/75r16 Toyo MT's
    I have the N-fab nerf bars in a textured finished and I love them!
    IMG_20160705_163524472.jpg
     
    MacGyvR, Xjman1 and TRDOBSESSED like this.
  9. Aug 30, 2016 at 8:07 PM
    #9
    Jolly Onion

    Jolly Onion [OP] Cheap is not Good & Good is not Cheap

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    N-fabs look great but twice the price of the others. Will be considered within the budget I have set for other items I need to replace/buy.

    Thanks for posting Sir.
     
  10. Aug 30, 2016 at 8:12 PM
    #10
    Jolly Onion

    Jolly Onion [OP] Cheap is not Good & Good is not Cheap

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  11. Aug 31, 2016 at 2:12 PM
    #11
    Jolly Onion

    Jolly Onion [OP] Cheap is not Good & Good is not Cheap

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  12. Sep 4, 2016 at 3:48 PM
    #12
    Jolly Onion

    Jolly Onion [OP] Cheap is not Good & Good is not Cheap

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    A few pictures of the Waag nerf bars after 11 years of service in salty NY. They really don't owe my anything and I was very happy with them.

    And those Michelin tires have close to 50K on them and still have good thread left. They are great all season tires, and grip really good in rain or shine.

    Taco2.jpg
    Taco3.jpg
     
  13. Sep 26, 2016 at 9:00 PM
    #13
    Jolly Onion

    Jolly Onion [OP] Cheap is not Good & Good is not Cheap

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    FYI's re the Aries Nerf Bars

    1) They look good and the rubber step is nice. They are not as well built as the Waags.
    2) Unlike the Waag mounting brackets that were attached to the chassis, the Aries uses the 3 holes (front and back each) of the body, so the connecting points are not as strong in case of an accident. In addition, Aries uses 2 mounts on each side instead of 3 points available on the truck.
    3) The bars are too close to the truck to step on. Not functional as far as utility goes. I have to extend the mounting brackets by having tabs welded. I hate doing this, but they need to be further away from the truck.
    4) The mounting hardware comes with all the nuts and bolts, but my 2004 Tacoma has one bolt and one nut (welded in from the factory) in the front (rear has 3 holes). It would have been nice if they sent nuts and bolts (2 each) that would thread into the factory provided nut and bolt. So now I have to either 1) Find the right thread nut/bolt 2) Drill out the factory ones (not going to do this) 3) just use the middle hole and weld the mounting bracket.

    Overall I am not happy, should have spent the $ and bought one with better mounting hardware, fastened at 3 locations instead of 2, that sat away from the cab, instead of getting involved with modifications/welding.

    As always you get what you pay for.

    The Aries Bull bar went on OK and looks good.

    I do not mean to bash the vendor. Hopefully if they are reading this, they can sell me the CORRECT mounting brackets and the nuts and bolts that will fit the factory threads already on the truck.

    Alex
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2016
  14. Feb 5, 2017 at 9:33 PM
    #14
    Xjman1

    Xjman1 Well-Known Member

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    Sway-A-way coil overs, Rear shackle lift
    Appreciate your feedback. Looking for info on N-Fab and ran across this thread. Had me thinking Aries, but then saw your follow up and I need to be able to use step for wife and grand-kids. Hope you got resolution to your situation.
     
  15. Feb 6, 2017 at 12:00 PM
    #15
    Jolly Onion

    Jolly Onion [OP] Cheap is not Good & Good is not Cheap

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    It is NOT designed to be steeped on, too close to the body of the truck.

    They look good, but will not absorb impact like the Waags did (saved the truck from 2 side impacts). They connected to the chassis, the Aries connects to the tabs on the floorboards.

    Good is not cheap and cheap is not good.
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2017
  16. Feb 16, 2017 at 7:25 PM
    #16
    Xjman1

    Xjman1 Well-Known Member

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    Not sure if message was meant for me, but if so, thanks. however i have to pass as i have a first gen
     

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