new running board / nerf bar suggestions??

[jbiersba]

Finally got our first decent winter storm up here in Western New York.

I was pulling onto a narrow drive and my OEM plastic running board got caught in a snow drift. It's all cracked now and needs to be replaced.

I've never liked the way the Ford running boards attach to the body instead of the frame of the vehicle. Does anyone know of a company offering a bolt on running board / nerf bar that bolt onto the frame instead of using brackets to bolt onto the body like the current ones do?

Don't laugh too hard, but on an 2000 Toyota I had, the nerf bars bolted right onto the frame.... This was great because I could use it as a jacking point, and it acted as a piece of protection for the body in off-road situations. They were also smooth on the bottom which prevented then from getting hung up on debris (or snow drifts).

Any suggestions would be worth looking into at this point

[szyd]

The frame mounted ones are vary bad for the frame in a accident. I am not positive but i dint think any body sells em for our trucks.

[sikktruk01]

look at the n-fab nerf bars, really nice but pricey

[fordpwrstroke7]

+1 for NFAB. I would like to sell my chrome steps and get them but they would be about $600 for me.

[jbiersba]

Interesting.

Looks like the N-Fab bars still use brackets to mount tot he body. I can't find an install guide to verify, but from the description it looks like they may mount tot he body, and have a 400 something pound weight rating. Maybe there aren't any frame mounted models available for our trucks??

I'm curious on more details.... How would a frame mounted bar be bad in an accident?

Thanks

[jrod80]

I have the N-Fab steps and yes they mount to the body like the factory ones. RBP started selling them in a wrinkle black for $485 on their site. They are the same just say RBP on them. I like mine a lot. I have never seen any that mount to the frame though.

[szyd]

Originally Posted by jbiersba

Interesting.

Looks like the N-Fab bars still use brackets to mount tot he body. I can't find an install guide to verify, but from the description it looks like they may mount tot he body, and have a 400 something pound weight rating. Maybe there aren't any frame mounted models available for our trucks??

I'm curious on more details.... How would a frame mounted bar be bad in an accident?

Thanks

Mainly side inpact the body will absorb a lot of inpact befor getting to the frame. With the frame monted style you are taking the chance of bending the frame. And once the frame is tweaked it is very hard if not inposible to be perfect again. I have seen totaled trucks that did not look that bad but the frame was toast due to the old style nerf bars.

[rob05]

Yeah, i dont think there are any that attach to the frame. I am building my own because that's how I want them done. If I get hit on the side and it does that much damage, chances are the frame will be damaged even if I didn't have the bars, and I'd rather have the protection when offroading or whatever.

[szyd]

I would check with youre insurance company. Thoes weisels will try and get out of anything.

[Floridayfz450]

Might want to try a set of AMP reasearch steps. They'll stay out of the way when you don't need them, so clearance is no longer an issue.