opinions on step bars

Roofer · August 29, 2002

I am looking at step bars for my truck. I can't really make a decision yet. I like the Putco 4" bars, but I also like wheel to wheel bars. I have seen Western and Luverne wheel to wheel bars and they look nice. These are about the same price as the shorter Putco bars. Are there any other brands that anyone could suggest? Any web sites to view them?

MarkD · August 29, 2002

Only advice I have is regret. I bought a set of "Big Country" bars. I wish I had bought a set of CPS or Putco.

Tucson_02Silverado · August 29, 2002

I ordered WAAG wheel to wheel for my 02 1500 2WD EXT SWB. I should get them by next week. They have aluminium steps instead of plastic. They bolt to the frame, not to the body. I ordered black with black steps $420 includes tax. WAAG also has them in chrome and the steps can be Anodized clear aluminium. WAAG has part numbers for the 1500HD as well as the 2500 and 2500HD, EXT's and CC's

taki1 · August 29, 2002

Tucson_02Silverado,

Please post your thoughts on the Waag bars when you get them - I have been looking into these for a loooong time, but nobody seems to know anything about them (except me of course)...

Thanks...

02SierraZ71 · August 29, 2002

Manik makes good ones.

Kelly · September 5, 2002

Check out GoRhino's 6000 series wheel to wheel step

GoRhino Step Bar

TxDoc · September 5, 2002

I noticed Westin--http://www.westinautomotive.com has wheel-to-wheel steps.

Mainly wanted to pass on some info on stainless products.

Platinum CPS: The Product Behind The Name

There are many stainless steel products on the market today claiming to be maintenance free for the lifetime of your vehicle. If this were true, why would Westin spend over a year developing "Platinum CPS" Step Bars? There are many myths about stainless steel. Once you know the facts, we are confident that you will choose to sell and install only the best for your customer -- Westin's "Platinum Series" Step Bars.

The middle image is Westin's Chrome Plated Stainless (CPS). Notice the yellow dullness of the competitive product to the left and right.

Stainless Is Not Really Stainless

Although stainless is more resistant to corrosion than mild steel, the name of the metal is misleading. To illustrate the point, an unplated stainless steel step bar competitor currently publishes a document titled, "How to keep your new stainless steel products "Stainless." The document is packed with every step bar to inform the consumer that there are maintenance issues involved with the product to prevent rust and corrosion. The document states,

"...Stainless Steel is NOT stain or rust proof! When used in contact with chloride salts," (the salt used on roads to melt ice) "sulfides, or other rusting metals, Stainless Steel will discolor, rust or even corrode! Always remove any rust spots as soon as possible with a brass, silver, or chrome cleaner. Irreversible pitting will develop under rust that remains on stainless steel for any period of time."

Straight talk from a competing manufacturer as published in their warranty statement. We couldn't have said it better.

[un-plated Stainless Steel]

[stainless Steel with Chrome Plating]

Color and Brilliance

Raw stainless steel is quite dull. Polishing the metal brings out more luster, by smoothing the surface for better light reflection. However, this process can leave polish marks.

In addition, polished unplated stainless steel has a duller, yellow tint right out of the box. It is not the manufacturer's fault, it's the nature of the metal. No amount of prep work or polishing can match the brilliance of chrome plating as shown in the photo compariso

TxDoc · September 5, 2002

Well, the pics didn't come up. The article in on the Westin homepage on the right in the middle.

About the Metal

The basic resistance of stainless steel occurs because of its ability to form a protective coating on the metal surface. This coating is a "passive film" which is resistant to further oxidation or rusting. This passive film is due to the combining of oxygen with the chrome in the stainless to form chrome oxide which is more commonly called "ceramic". This protective oxide or ceramic co

<http://www.westinautomotive.com/logos%20and%20link%20images/spacer-32pix.gif>

Finish Maintenance Issues

Because it is critical that the passive film is not penetrated, the cleaners that can safely be used on unplated stainless are fewer than for chrome plated products. It is also more important that wax is applied to unplated stainless on a regular basis to protect the passive film layer. Westin's Platinum CPS features a layer of chrome plating to solve these maintenance issues. By plating stainless steel, Westin provides the superior combination of corrosion resistance through the nickel and chromium content of the base tube material and the nickel in the plating process. The chrome finish requires minimal maintenance to preserve the finish quality while common polished stainless requires extensive maintenance to prevent the corrosion damage.

I looked for warranty, bolt-on with no drilling and something different from the same thing I already had.

Westin had:

100% lifetime guarantee

extruded aluminum

bolt-on design

larger step area

looked different

I think it is Jegg's that I found a company who makes billet aluminum replacement step pads for those who want that option.

Good luck on your choice. Post some pics.

Shotgun · September 5, 2002

I like the Manik steps,they are sweet and they go wheel to wheel.

Tucson_02Silverado · September 5, 2002

Takil

Sep 12 I'll have the WAAG wheel to wheel bars installed along with my ARE Z shell and I'll post my thoughts on both.

Roofer · September 6, 2002

I have a buddy who got some from a Putco dealer that have slight shipping damage. I can get them for $200 which is a steal. I am going to look at how good of shape they are in tonight or tomorrow. He says they have one small dent on the underside of one of them. If that's all that is wrong I may snatch them up.

badhammer · September 10, 2002

I have three inch smittybuilt on my 97 4x4 bolted to the frame bought frm j.c. whintey 200.00 with shipping and tax. they work great.

SWLA · September 11, 2002

Shotgun,

I have been looking at the Manik WTW bars for a while. That is the first good picture of them mounted on a truck I have seen. Mind if I ask a few questions? Someone on another forum told me he had problems with the black plastic step pad breaking off. Said the pegs on the bottom that inserted into holes it the tude would snap off. Have you had any problems with the bars? Do the feel sturdy when you stand on them, especially at the step for the bed. Do you have any pictures of how they mount to the truck?

I am also considering Westin and GoRhino bars, but they are about $100 more expensive. I like the look of the Manik's better, the way they don't curve under the body at the front end.

Thanks for any info you can give me. By the way, truck looks great.

Shotgun · September 11, 2002

I find these bars to be plenty sturdy after all I just step on them, I am sure that the frame mount would be more sturdy but like I said I just step on them .One plus is that they come out a little farther than most brands and this will help in deflecting brush and car doors .I haven't had any probs yet and you can tell by looking at them that they are well made.All you have to do is pick one up and you can tell that they are well made,lol.I don't have any picks of the mounting but may be able to get some......Gun