Black Step Bars

TitanicDJ · 02-08-2006, 12:12 PM

I'm looking for some Black Step Bars. I was thinking of the N-Fab, which I still like but after that last thread about them rusting and chipping I'd like to see what else is out there that others have had better luck with. Can anyone recommend a good set of "Black" bars as an alternative to the N-Fabs just to compare to.

Oh, I rather have bars and not running boards.

Thanks,
DJ

Tiburon65 · 02-08-2006, 01:17 PM

Are you talking these steps rather than running boards or just bars? Westin Signature Series Step Bars

or this from n-fab

I've got the Westins, easy on and off when needed, on most of the time, but if you have the need for n-fab's would recommend them.

TitanicDJ · 02-08-2006, 01:34 PM

How are your Westins holding up? Do you have the chrome version or black?

The N-Fabs (which I really like) are the ones I'm not to sure about since they seem to start rusting and chipping? There is a thread in the "Titan Suspension area" describing the issues.

Thanks
DJ

gchu · 02-08-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanicDJ

How are your Westins holding up? Do you have the chrome version or black?

The N-Fabs (which I really like) are the ones I'm not to sure about since they seem to start rusting and chipping? There is a thread in the "Titan Suspension area" describing the issues.

Thanks
DJ

I have a set of Westin Oval in Black in my KC. I think they are holding up well. My only concern had been keeping the black clean! I think Chrome would not show up the dirt as much.

MarkB · 02-09-2006, 06:41 AM

I have the N-Fabs and while I love the look and construction of them, I live in New England and they do not look like they are going to hold up too well. I am already seeing very slight hints of rust where the welds are and I've only had them on since last fall with a very mild winter for our area.
If/when I do it again I am going to go with either stainless steel or aluminum (I don't mind the look of oxidized aluminum). I think that in San Diego (I love SD, BTW) you might be OK with the N-Fabs given your awesome climate, but who knows.
In fairness to N-Fab, our area is probably about as harsh as it gets for nerf bars. All the salt and sand that gets put on the roads just sandblasts that whole area all to heck. I still think that N-Fab has an issue with their pre-powder coating treatment or the powder coating process itself, because it should hold up better than is is so far.....
MarkB

RU2112SH · 02-09-2006, 10:39 AM

Why not line-x or rhino the n-fab bars then you have nothing to worry about.

gatitan21 · 02-14-2006, 08:43 PM

yea, westins are good as long as you dont get the chrome polished, i heard they still rust out in about two or three years. aries makes some affordable oval shaped ones as well as westin.

TitanicDJ · 02-15-2006, 08:29 AM

I'm still on the fence with the N-Fabs. I think they're the best looking and as MarkB put it, I do live in SD and rust probably wont be a problem.

The Westins are in second place but in black. Maybe able to powder coat them later?

Don't know about Rhino-ing them. It might look to rough and ruin the look?

Thanks
DJ

rcantu · 02-15-2006, 09:11 AM

hey TDJ, any metal can be powdercoated. you just need to remove all the plastic off of it. you can do custom colors too like I did with my bug guard.

I read on the other side that lining them was really hard to maintenance when dirty. I guess you can see for yourself by looking at our bedliners condition.

oh Westins seem to have a better step in. I had to really get used to my N-fabs due to the position of the step.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanicDJ

I'm still on the fence with the N-Fabs. I think they're the best looking and as MarkB put it, I do live in SD and rust probably wont be a problem.

The Westins are in second place but in black. Maybe able to powder coat them later?

Don't know about Rhino-ing them. It might look to rough and ruin the look?

Thanks
DJ

TitanicDJ · 02-15-2006, 09:16 AM

So you were able to do it over, would you buy the N-Fabs again or the Westins?

DJ

rcantu · 02-15-2006, 09:52 AM

never had the westins but they look closer to oem which would be more comfortable to get in. N-fabs take getting used to.

rcantu · 02-15-2006, 10:00 AM

oh the black are shiny but the gloss seems to scratch easily. could be due to due being black.

if you are going n-fab, maybe you want to consider doing white steps. I think that would look cool with the truck.

**Blackbeauty** · 02-15-2006, 10:22 AM

I ordered a set of the N-Fab in black just recently. Haven't come in yet. I like the look - unobtrusive, yet functional. I didn't find this thread until after I ordered them. I live in PA and figure that if they look raspy a few years down the road, I can have them blasted and double-chromed. I wanted some shine for the sides of my truck anyway...

TitanicDJ · 02-16-2006, 08:20 AM

Blackbeauty- where did you order them through and if you don't mind me asking what was the price?

DJ

**Blackbeauty** · 02-16-2006, 10:38 AM

I ordered them through N-Fab themselves. Price black powdercoated was $426 without shipping for the 4-step (2 each side).

FYI, they are in Texas so they try to find a distributor near you first. That reduces shipping. I have none near me here in PA, so the shipping costs $60 from Texas. Other areas with distributors (like maybe California) may be less costly.