DIY: Installation of N-Fab wheel to wheel nerf steps (pics)

[jliltd]

After weeks of searching and help from TS postings (thanks, 96T100) I finally bought some wheel-to-wheel step bars for my DCab Longbed made by N-Fab out of Houston. I am more than delighted with them and have never had a set of bars install on a pickup so quick and easy. First, a pic of the end result, followed by step by step description of the install with photos:



After finding that N-Fab had tubes for all the new Tundra Models I contacted Missy at N-Fab and she knew exactly what I needed and assured me they would fit fine on my longbed. She gave me a 5% discount and truck freighted them to my door (one day service with her freight forwarder). They were very well packaged with a hardware kit and the tubes wrapped in bubble wrap. Here's the N-Fab url showing same bars in silver:
N-Fab: Manufacturers of Nerfsteps, Prerunners, Harley Bars & Truck Accessories
There is no set-up or assembly required as these tubes are ready to mount. Here's my shop set-up view:


Toyota has pre-installed running board mount bolt locations under the vehicle and this is a real time saver. There are four brackets per side on the new tubes and they match the Toyota mount points exactly. The first step is to remove the Toyota OEM bolts from the original locations. These are to be replaced with the new hardware shipped with the the tubes. Here is a photo of the original bolts in the factory location before removal, photo taken looking up at underside of rocker panel:


Here is a photo of the two bolts. Original Toyota on the left side, new N-Fab on the right side:


So it was simply a matter of lifting the tubes into place and installing the new bolts through the side step brackets (I knew those Harbor Freight ATV lifts would come in handy sooner or later):



Then the bolts were installed through the step brackets into the factory mount holes. I used a dab of blue Locktite (chapstick container version) on each bolt for peace of mind. Here is the "standard" brackets mounted into factory holes, 3 brackets per side:


Here is a front bracket, one per side:


And that's really about it. The whole wheel-to-wheel side step is a one-piece welded assembly with no adjustments or the dreaded bracket beef-up effectively required on other mass-produced step tubes like Westins.

The steps have a fantastic finish and they can come in stock black color, aluminum satin powdercoat, or may be made in any color to match your vehicle (about a $95 upcharge). I like black and wanted them so went with stock color. The steps are solid feeling with no flexure and I can now get into the bed behind the cab and can reach the bottom of the bed to pick things up. Makes me consider a toolbox, but I've already installed Geneva side truck drawers in preparation for a solid bed cover.

The cost was around $502 for the steps and $75 truck freight. While more expensive than other tubes I've bought in the past the quality and beefy mounts have to be seen to be appreciated.

Here is another shot of the final result near one of our pecan orchards:

[hinkleid]

Let us know how these hold up over time. I have heard from others they get chipped then rust? What would be nice is to get these Line - X'ed in black. Probably no chips that way!

[mxsjw]

I like those alot, thanks for the write up.

[jliltd]

Originally Posted by hinkleid

Let us know how these hold up over time. I have heard from others they get chipped then rust? What would be nice is to get these Line - X'ed in black. Probably no chips that way!

Hadn't heard that before. At least I'm in a high-dry environment, eh?

I don't know if N-Fab has changed their finish process over the years, but there is a 100% lifetime guarantee on the finish. Missy told me to send them back any time over the life of my vehicle if the finish doesn't meet my expectations and they'll make good on it. Very nice, professional and confidence-inspiring telephone conversation with her.

The finish on my set was extremely durable and even when they dropped out of the shipping box (oops) the finish didn't scratch hitting the cement at the truck dock. I couldn't believe it and checked the area for the slightest bend or scratch. Nothing.

[hinkleid]

Originally Posted by jliltd

Hadn't heard that before. At least I'm in a high-dry environment, eh?

I don't know if N-Fab has changed their finish process over the years, but there is a 100% lifetime guarantee on the finish. Missy told me to send them back any time over the life of my vehicle if the finish doesn't meet my expectations and they'll make good on it. Very nice, professional and confidence-inspiring telephone conversation with her.

The finish on my set was extremely durable and even when they dropped out of the shipping box (oops) the finish didn't scratch hitting the cement at the truck dock. I couldn't believe it and checked the area for the slightest bend or scratch. Nothing.

Maybe over time they have improved. If they offer a lifetime finish, then yes they ought to hold up well. I really do like the looks of these and am considering some on my DC. I think they would look great Line X'ed though.

[Pbbobkanobi]

Can you take some pics of the step? I want to make sure if I put grandma in the back she can use the step (I'm serious...no flamin' on Grandma please)

The bars look good but I am wondering how well the work in the snow or mud. Is there enough surface area for your shoe to grab onto? I think that is the one big drawback to round bars...the slip factor.

[m3elmo]

curious how much that weighs?

i'm also still in shock at how big the long bed DC is....imagine that as a dually!

[rrockhold]

I just installed the N-Fab steps on my 07 DC last night and I'm not quite as thrilled with them as jliltd. First off when I got home and found they had been delivered the end off the box was missing and the steps were sticking out about two feet, one of the steps was dented at the very end and the finish was slightly marred, also the hardware kit was missing. Mounting was as described, I used the original bolts with no problem, but at the rear bracket on mine there was a 3/8" gap. I am just going to get longer bolts and put spacers between the brackets and cab, everything else lined up good. I do not believe that these steps will last me more than 4 or 5 years though. They are made of carbon steel and no matter how good the powder coat is it is going to chip from rocks coming off the tires. I thought about having them Line-X and am sure that would help a lot, but the other thing about these is there is no plug at the ends. The roads in Utah are salted in winter and this salt spray will definitely get into the bars and start corroding from the inside out. Even a new coating won't help that. Before I bought these I called N-Fab about making them from stainless steel, they said they don't/won't make them in stainless. They said get the standard product and it would last as long as I had my truck. I had my last Toyota truck 13 years and know these won't last that long. I like the looks of these and if they last 4 - 5 years I'll be satisfied.

[123Gone]

Incorrect info on the finish. NFab offers a 5 year warranty if it's powdercoated and a 1 year warranty if painted. And, "wear and tear", like rock chips, are NOT covered by the warranty. If you get rock chips, it will rust due to the carbon steel.

Another option is GoRhino Dominator II steps. They look just like NFabs and offer a polished stainless steel step.


Of course, we love to LINE-X them. If you get them LINE-X'd, be sure to get Xtra (which is optional).

[ShaunM]

I like it, makes the truck look even more rugged.

[jliltd]

Originally Posted by 123Gone

Incorrect info on the finish. NFab offers a 5 year warranty if it's powdercoated and a 1 year warranty if painted. And, "wear and tear", like rock chips, are NOT covered by the warranty. If you get rock chips, it will rust due to the carbon steel.

Yup. I stand corrected. Here is what Missy emailed me yesterday:

"Powdercoat carries a five year warranty, but if you have issues after that of course we always do our best to take care of our customers. Of course paint is a bit different because of thickness."

Does Go-Rhino actually make a 6-step version of the Dominator II for all configurations of the new Tundra? The photos show other makes with 4 steps like the rear steps are missing.

Originally Posted by rrockhold

I just installed the N-Fab steps on my 07 DC last night and I'm not quite as thrilled with them as jliltd. First off when I got home and found they had been delivered the end off the box was missing and the steps were sticking out about two feet, one of the steps was dented at the very end and the finish was slightly marred, also the hardware kit was missing.

I was warned to check the packaging materials for mounting hardware as they tape it up into the bubble wrap pretty good which hides it. Many customers have thrown the hardware kit away with the bubble wrap since it's hidden so well. With your shipping damage description yours could have very well been missing.

The CEO of N-Fab emailed me the following:
"The freight companies kill us sometimes and we take the rap for it… and we do all we can to protect them,but they are big heavy animals… My main goal is to build a better heavy duty high-end American Made step of value at a moderate price". If your package was received damaged then coordinate with N-Fab for information. They're great to talk to on the phone.

Originally Posted by Pbbobkanobi

Can you take some pics of the step? I want to make sure if I put grandma in the back she can use the step (I'm serious...no flamin' on Grandma please)

The bars look good but I am wondering how well the work in the snow or mud. Is there enough surface area for your shoe to grab onto? I think that is the one big drawback to round bars...the slip factor.

Here is a shot of the step itself. It is not round but a perforated plate with grip (similar to the Go-Rhino offering). My father has bad feet and legs (couldn't walk until age 10 after multiple surgeries). Watching him struggle to get into the original truck configuration was one of the main reasons I installed the steps. He loves them.

I think most modern steel alloys have carbon, therefore referred to as "carbon steel". I'm not sure which alloy N-Fab uses but the steps were light and rigid indicating some sort of seamless tubing 4130 cromoloy. I doubt they would use a low-carbon alloy due to their properties of reduced ductility and strength. The N-Fabs are rated for a 450lb person with the bed step fully cantilevered off the under-cab brackets; pretty impressive rating on that long a cantilever.

I'm sure N-Fab has competition for multi-step nerf bars out there. I was impressed by N-Fab's new 2007 Tundra support and product but things are still new here so time will tell. I'll not be a good test subject regarding corrosion as I am in the desert (< 8" rainfall a year). I do know that if your bars do have end plugs there needs to be a vent hole somewhere to allow air circulation and drying. Wouldn't hurt to coat the inside with boiled linseed oil or LPS-3, either. I've got a lot of experience with steel tubular aircraft structure and those two items are important (interior air circulation and protective coating).

[mc71454]

Bummer...

Went to install my New N-fabs and the bolts were missing..

I got plenty of washers though...I checked everywhere, in the tubes, 3 times I checked the packing material. My box arrived in perfect condition so they didn't come out during shipping.

Oh well not going on today I may just go to the hardware store and get the bolts and washers in stainless.

I am concerned about the uncoated interior of the bars, Being in upstate NY we get a little salt on the road .

[john480]

mine are on the way :0)

[cudexter]

how are these holding up with some time on them?

Quality still good?

[07TundraNC]

Originally Posted by cudexter

how are these holding up with some time on them?

Quality still good?

Mine are painted to match, and have been on for about 8 months, and maybe 20,000 miles. Still look great. No corrosion yet, inside or out. I'm in North Carolina, so not too extreme weather here though.