What does everybody think of the factory chrome side steps? It looks like the OEM and aftermarket steps are about the same price ~$600. I examined a few OEM steps at the dealers and they seemed very cheap and flimsy. Plus, I doubt the OEM ones come with a lifetime guarentee like the aftermarket ones do. Should I order the OEM ones on my truck or wait and install aftermarket ones?
thanks

 

I bought the factory ones because they fit tighter to the body than the aftermarket ones I looked at. As far a flimsy they are all gonna crush if they hit something mine are holding up fine.

 

I've got the factory chromes on mine. I go about a deuce and a quarter and they feel plenty sturdy to me. My local dealer has them stacked in his parts store for $350.00 a set.

 

Right but I assume he has the OEM steps not aftermarket ones. If that is the case it is just as easy to order them on my truck for 500 and be done with it.
What I need to know is if the aftermarket steps are better quality and therefore a better deal for $500 then the OEM steps for 500.

 

It will all depend on where they mount to as far as how flimsy they'll be. Most a/mrkt ones replace two of the body mount bolts and maybe support it to the floorboard with self tapping screws. The o.e. ones support to the floorboard and the inner rocker without drilling. This makes for a very sturdy mount. Tell you what, put it to the big boy test. Find a set you like, stand on it with both feet hold the center pillar and see if you rock the truck or flex the boards. I have taken sets off of my last three trucks (came with 'em) to put the oval o.e. ones on. No complaints here. Also in regards to warranty. Would it be easier to find a Dodge dealer down the road, or the vendor of the aftermarket ones? I am also pretty sure that the trucks will not come with the boards mounted. They will ship to the dealer seperately from the the truck and be installed there. BOL with your choice.

Chris

 

good points thanks
I had the tube style on my 1/2 ton. You are correct the 2 mounts that mount to the cab bolts are great but the two that mount to the sheet meet rust out quickly. So, since the OE steps mount to the sheet metal I don't see how they could be mounted better then the old style.
Regardless, I would get the exact same style that mount on the rocker panel/floor board whether OE or aftermarket. So, like I said before does anybody have an aftermarket step that is cheaper and better then the OE ones?
thanks

As for warranty it would be easier to find a dodge dealer. However, I bet the dodge steps don't have a lifetime warranty. Only the standard 3/36 crappy warranty.

 

UWS has pretty nice steps available in black or SS. They mount using the body mounts with extensions that mount in existing holes in the inner body panel. Where the tube attaches to the mount, UWS uses a 1/2 " thick machined plate at the tube ends as opposed to a nut welded to a steel tab. This creates a very stiff/sturdy step.

UWS also offers a lifetime warranty.

 

i just bought luverne nerf bars and installed them today. They were only a little over $200 and are made in the USA. We'll see soon but for the price i figured i'd give'em a chance. They had a set of Westins too and i thought the Luvernes looked sturdier...

 

PICTURES WOULD BE GREAT PLEASE!

i had the circular steps on my old ram but I like the 4 or 5 inch oval ones available now.
So, in any future posts please address oval chrome steps. I don't want circular or black.
thanks

 

i bought a set of SS Bully bars from JC whitney and I am waiting for them to show. They should be here late next week. I have never really seen any of the bars themselves fail, just the mounts and I can fix or refab anything I see problems with. I will let you know more after they are on

Chris

 

I picked up a set of round ones from these guys.

http://www.raptorseries.com/

I've only had them on the truck fr 2 months and so far they are great. They are 3" round stainless and carry a lifetime warrantee ( so they say). Nice and sturdy and have a "no drill" installation.

I picked them up for $185 and then another $85 to ship them up to me in Canada. Waaayyyy cheaper than the $700 that OEM ones are worth up here. I figured i'd give them a shot for that kind of savings. So far, so good.

 

I have had the OEM tube steps on the last two Dodge trucks. I chose them because they fit tight and high and because they are as solid as any I have seen. This set has been on for over 3 1/2 years now and they are as solid as when put on. No sign of any degradation on the mounting points so far. Do the testing recommended above and see what you find. At 165lbs I don't stress nerf bars much, but I have seen a couple of aftermarket ones give with just my weight. I also happen to like the looks of the OEM bars better than most aftermarket ones. Just my .02.

 

I've had the round Bully SS for about 3 years now. They are sturdy, no rust, no problems. I paid about $400 locally back then including mounting.