Nerf Bars

[Mark SR.]

Has anyone installed a product like Smittybilt Sure-step Nerf Bars on a 100 series. I have done a search and obviously most of you prefer sliders. I love them but I don't need rock protection at this point in the rig's life, nor do I want to just look like I do. I hate the RBs and would switch to just front flaps but I drive clients around and need easy entry/exit. They help you load the roof and are much less visible than RBs. I also believe they give some side impact protection when you need it most (on road, boy in back). I have had a set on my 4Run. since '97 and they still look new. I paid $160 for the pair at Perf. Prod. A good cost/benefit ratio in my eyes.
Thoughts?
Go easy on me, if I lived out west I would not be asking this question.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[calamaridog]

I haven't seen any but that doesn't mean they are not available.

Slee makes a set of sliders with a removable step which is LineX'd, the pics look good but the are more $$$ I'm sure.

On a side note, my friend got t-boned (around 15mph?) in his truck and the sliders got bent but held up very nicely in the accident. Now where the heck are those pics???

 

[98LXand99LC]

Mark Sr.,

I've got a pair of GoRhino black nerf steps on my '99. They look better than the factory running boards. But, I don't like the look a whole lot. They stick out a bit too far for my taste, but they are functionally in a good spot. I felt the same way you do about the sliders, and would prefer them but I didn't want to shell out the cash. I got very lucky and picked them up (new in box) on eBay for $11.49 (no typo). I figure for that much money I can live with the look.

 

[Mark SR.]

Thanks, any chance you could post a pic? I'd like to see the T3 application as well.
-Mark

 

[mobi-arc]

Mark Sr.,

I've got a pair of GoRhino black nerf steps on my '99. They look better than the factory running boards. But, I don't like the look a whole lot. They stick out a bit too far for my taste, but they are functionally in a good spot. I felt the same way you do about the sliders, and would prefer them but I didn't want to shell out the cash. I got very lucky and picked them up (new in box) on eBay for $11.49 (no typo). I figure for that much money I can live with the look.

I'd like to see them too.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Has anyone installed a product like Smittybilt Sure-step Nerf Bars on a 100 series... I also believe they give some side impact protection when you need it most (on road, boy in back)...

No offense, but I don't think the nerf bars you describe would offer much in th way of side protection. Based on the way they're attached, I doubt they'd do much but fold under upon impact.

Why not get the 100 series sliders that Slee Offroad has? The step type would offer both protection and a nice entry step as well as footing for loading the roof.

 

[Mark SR.]

Doug,
Certainly no offense taken. Slee has a great product. On my 4Runner the ends of the nerf bar tubing butt square into the side of the frame and are attached with no brackets. I'm guessing on the LC it would be different (i.e. 3 drop brackets on each side, bar "hanging" below frame). Fortunately for me, my "side impact protection" has never been proven and may just be visual. The OE RB offers easier entry/loading at the great expense of asthetics and looks, IMHO. A non-crawler 100 looks much better w/ just factory front mud flaps and nothing else. I am all in favor of the sliders, just not in favor of being a poser. . I guess I could just say they were running boards to those who asked. And 10 or 15 years down the road, un-bolt the step & get my money's worth out of them when breaking the rig in.
Thanks for the reply.
-Mark

 

[calamaridog]

It's ok to be realistic about your needs. I don't have rock rails, sliders, etc. on my Wife's Heep Liberty...

 

[Mark SR.]

Nor do I have off-road equip. on my wife's Ford Freestar company mini-van. I buy vehicles with a 10-20 year ownership in mind. I don't want to carry around alot of un-needed, expensive equipment long before it is needed. Long after the current Suburban Z71 back-seat DVD craze we seem to be experiencing here in my locale is over, I'll still own my 100. That's likely when the knowledge gained by this forum will be put to good use.
-Mark

 

[macneill]

I bolted a set of GoRhino SS tube steps on my 100 soon after I bought it. I got it new without the running boards. Mostly for my wife. They're quite good, serves their function. However I got my side bars from TJM not too long ago that I'm going to replace the tube steps with. They'll be for sale soon...

 

[calamaridog]

I get the feeling most of the people here are in it for the long term, so they take an active interest in what they are driving.

I hope not to be into the Heep for the long term, so I won't spend a nickle making it better. I would cost too much to swap Toyota running gear into it

 

[FirstToy]

Through 1st hand experience I will say sliders offer solid side impact protection. In an odd occurance, my 4Runner was hit (with sliders) by a mid-size sedan. Not a month or so later, someone posted with the same color/model 4Runner was hit in the same spot (with running boards).
I had very minimal repair work (no body work, just replacing a plastic cladding part). The other had much more damage, tho I was hit much harder.

If you are looking to add something for additional protection, sliders are the only option. Step bars may offer the illusion of safety but will have none. (I'm talking about this b/c you mention your child's safetly in your post).

You have to consider the purpose of each: Sliders are designed to carry the weight of the truck for rock protection and as a hi-lift point.
Step bars are designed to carry the weight of a couple people. (I would guess step rails couldn't hold my 4 MTR's &wheels much less the vehicle itself.)

The smallest, lightest car, even at slow speed, will easily collapse a step bar. Neither is designed for car crashes but I'm sure in a side impact, I would bet my family on sliders rather than a nerf bar.

It looks like you can get sliders that act as a running board- which seems like the best of all worlds, especially if you plan on keeping your truck a while. I've seen alot of boards and tubes folded from soccermom-curb hopping...I'm sure everyone has.

If you stay with steps, on the 100, I personally like the OEM boards over tube steps. They integrate better, are more aerodynamic and give it a more solid look.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[98LXand99LC]

Not the greatest picture....

 

[macneill]

A coupla pix from this summer. They don't look it here, but they stick out quite a bit.

 

[calamaridog]

Not the greatest picture....

Your truck looks great!

 

[98LXand99LC]

Your truck looks great!

Thanks! Next project is to de-bling. I gotta do something about the gold package. I think I'm gonna do what landpimp did, and paint them black.

 

[calamaridog]

Yea, I've got the damn gold package on my new 2000. The good thing is there were no running boards to take off!