Dodge Nerf Bars

FAQs—Dodge Nerf Bars

1. Which is better for my Dodge vehicle, polished stainless steel or bright-chrome nerf bars?

The answer depends on your taste, your budget, and the area where you live or frequently drive in. If you are on a tight budget and you live in the sunny region, where corrosion and rust aren’t too big of an issue, polished stainless steel nerf bars are more cost-effective than chrome polished units. The latter type of finish is perfect for Dodge owners who are battling with northern climates on their day-to-day lives or frequently driving on harsh terrains because of its excellent resistance to rust and corrosion.

2. I’ve just installed my Dodge nerf bars a few days ago, and now I can hear rattling sound from the bars, especially when I’m passing on rough roads. What could be the cause of such noise?

Rattling sound usually comes from metal-to-metal contact, which can’t be avoided in automotive applications where majority of components are made from metal. In the case of your nerf bars, this issue can be remedied by checking and loosening all metal-to-metal connections and making adjustments to the brackets to clear all the metal around the bracket. Greasing or applying white lithium between any metal-to-metal connections will also help. Make sure also that all connections are properly tightened before driving the truck once again.

3. How can I properly torque the bolts of my Dodge nerf bars?

Majority of the automotive body bolts should be tightened and torqued to 65 foot-pounds. To secure the nerf bar bolts in place, tighten them using torque wrench until you notice that the lock washer has already been compressed. Then, make another quarter or half turn.

4. I would like to outfit my Dodge truck with nerf bars, but a friend told me that running boards are way better. What’s the difference between these two add-ons, and which is more advantageous?

The running boards and nerf bars share the common purpose of providing vehicle occupants with a secure stepping area when getting into and going out of the vehicle. The main difference lies on the stepping area—running boards have stepping pad that covers the entire length of the board while nerf bars have their stepping pads only at the area in front of the doors. If you are after the safety of your passengers, running boards are more beneficial as you can securely step on them even when you’re accessing something from the roof of the truck. The advantage of nerf bars, on the other hand, is the huge variety of styles, colors, and lengths for you to choose from.

5. After installing my Dodge nerf bars, I realized that the step pads aren’t properly aligned with the truck doors. What could be wrong with these?

It’s possible that you’ve interchanged the nerf bars and you installed the driver-side unit on the passenger side. Of course, the best way to solve this is to take them off and switch them. But before doing that, make sure first that the mounting brackets are mounted at the right holes. If they aren’t, try adjusting the brackets first as that could be the cause of misalignment between the door and the stepping pads.

6. I will be drilling mounting holes for my Dodge nerf bars. Any tips?

Before drilling, open the front door of your truck and observe the painted metal underneath. Take note of the position of the wires to be sure that you won’t damage them while drilling. Pre-fit your nerf bars and mark the hole locations of the nerf bars into the truck’s frame. Use the marks as reference points when drilling the holes.

7. How can I take care of my newly installed Dodge nerf bars to help extend their service life?

Besides washing the nerf bars thoroughly during every car wash or the moment they get submerged in mud, you can maintain the slick appearance of you nerf bars by waxing them every three months. The wax won’t just keep the step bars looking great, but it will also act as some kind of waterproofing to prevent water from collecting underneath the bars. The wax also reinforces the capability of the finish in resisting rust and corrosion.

Some accessories are for aesthetics, adding extra flair to the vehicle. Others are designed to be functional. With nerf bars, you're getting both of these advantages. These are installed along the sides of the vehicle, under the door. They give extra boost to the cab, so passengers can climb in and out of the cabin easily. They also provide stable footing even in wet weather and can accentuate the vehicle's side profile. Installing these accessories will require just the basic set of tools. These can be easily done in the garage, and this will take just take a few minutes. Here's a step-by-step guide to installing Dodge nerf bars:

Required skill level: Intermediate

Needed tools and materials

1. Nerf bars
2. Floor jack and jack stands
3. Socket set
4. Wrench set

Prepping up for the task

Check the package first to see what's in it. Aside from the nerf bars, you have to see if listed pieces and hardware are all there. The package may also come with installation instructions, which you should take time to read. Before you start work, park the vehicle on a level surface or in an area where your most comfortable with. Make sure that the parking brake is on for safety.

Removing the old nerf bars (if your Dodge is already equipped with these steps)

Raise a side of the vehicle using a floor jack and support it using the jack stands placed under the frame rail. Once supported, get the jack out of the way. To remove the nerf bar one by one, you have to undo the bolts holding the bar bracket to the frame. A socket can be used to unlock the bracket. Lower the rear part of the nerf bar and remove it. Be careful not to ruin anything as you pull out the bar. Use the jack to bring the raised side of the vehicle back to the ground as you take out the stands. For the other side, you have to follow the same steps.

Installing the nerf bars

Check if the vehicle has factory-drilled mounting holes in the frame for fitting nerf bars and other types of steps. If they come with pre-drilled holes, then installing these steps can be straightforward and easy. If there are no available holes, you'll have to drill one. Follow the manufacturer instructions for the exact location of the holes and for the size. The holes you'll drill should match the ones on the nerf bars. Otherwise, they won't line up.

The mounting holes in the frame should be aligned with the holes in the mounting brackets. Once aligned, bolt in the mounting brackets, anchored to the frame. The brackets should be facing forward, in the right direction. After this, you can now attach the nerf bars to the brackets. Make sure that the steps are centered. Give it a once-over before you secure the bar with the mounting hardware. Tighten the bolts-see to it that the nerf bar is securely fastened. To check if it's properly installed, try stepping on it. If everything checks out fine, do the same to the other side.