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I bought a set of "nerf" bars or side bars for my 2023 Maverick (ordered for the 2022 model year but they are the same). I bought a Trident set which were called Trident Midnight Series Oval Nerf Bars. Description never gave the width but based on their other models and picture I figured it was about 4". It turned out that the step width itself is a hair wider than 4" and the width of the oval bars at the center is just a hair under 4.25". Worked out fine---this set is T304 grade stainless steel with a satin black slightly textured powder coating like the TAC ones. Box says made in CHINA...but I suspect almost all these side bars are. I wanted S/S since I dealt with painted mild steel and chromes ones in the past and they tend to develop rust spots quickly. The insert steps are polyethylene instead of ABS and slightly flexible. Not sure if there is really much difference between the two but one web site states that polyethylene will provide better traction when wet. There are no brand markings anywhere on the bars or steps. I paid $319 total for model# TRI45-16020 (free shipping but $25 in taxes) and bought them from NAPA after finding them at only 2 websites both charging the same price. I was able to get a maximum discount of only 5% - none of the other codes were allowed for this product. Considering the price compared to other black S/S models online I gave up trying to find a better price. These look like some of the other brands and appear only to vary in price and the step inserts. The Ionic 4” Curved Stainless Nerf Bars on REALTRUCK appear to be identical except those are polished SS but cheaper at $270 plus tax but I wanted the blacked-out look. Their blacked-out priced Steelcraft ones are almost identical to mine but way overpriced. I suspect they may all be made in the same China factory with simply different inserts based on the brand selling them. If this is the case then these are just about the cheapest blacked out S/S ones with a lifetime warranty.
You can buy more $$$ S/S ones but I don't know if they would be any better. Cheaper mild steel bars can be found for just under $200 but I personally wouldn't go that route. You can get less expensive 3” bars too.
Box weight was 60 lbs...each side bar weighed 14.5 lbs and the brackets and screws were the other 30 lbs. Side bars were well packaged in bubble sleeves and tied. Every bracket was wrapped in plastic to avoid scratches - not the norm for parts coming from China. Screws and small brackets were in individual bags and marked for their purpose. Not like the Harbor Freight products that come with all the screws and nuts thrown into one bag.
Instructions (sheet dated 2/25/22) - I read it fully before starting since my install was delayed two days for rain. No room in garage with 2 cars put away until summer. There is a parts listing with quantities and a picture for each of the parts. THERE ARE 7 PAGES total - 1.5 written instructions and 5 pages of pictures. These were well written by someone who knows English well - not the usual Chinese translated crap that doesn't make sense. I was able to follow along and kept referring to the pictures to understand exactly how to do the install. Without the pictures it would be extremely hard to figure out the proper placements of all the parts - 12 brackets and 100 misc screws, washers, and bolts.
There is cutting required but that is on the plastic covers on the underneath of the vehicle which they have you remove to cut. That allows the metal brackets to lay against metal rather than having plastic between them. Note: They have you remove the covers underneath to cut. THIS IS NOT REQUIRED. Simply use a new blade on a razor and you can easily cut the material you marked right in place. Saves a lot of time. Installing everything exactly as shown is required to have the brackets properly align to the underside of the side bars. The side bar inserts appeared to be brass fittings.
One note: removing the underneath rocker panel plastic clips is hard...most likely they may break. See this video at 21:14 to understand how to attempt to remove them. You need to remove 5 from each side.
I suspect most of the side bar installations are mounted in the same manner. I wanted bars instead of boards so that no snow would pile up on them against the truck body. The bars just about self-clean and I only plan on using them to knock snow off my shoes and boots. I doubt I will ever step on them except for washing the roof. They are not useful for adults entering or leaving the truck. The satin black will matches the wheels on my BAP package - Alto blue exterior.
Picture of installed bars sucks but it has been snowing since I put them on.
You can buy more $$$ S/S ones but I don't know if they would be any better. Cheaper mild steel bars can be found for just under $200 but I personally wouldn't go that route. You can get less expensive 3” bars too.
Box weight was 60 lbs...each side bar weighed 14.5 lbs and the brackets and screws were the other 30 lbs. Side bars were well packaged in bubble sleeves and tied. Every bracket was wrapped in plastic to avoid scratches - not the norm for parts coming from China. Screws and small brackets were in individual bags and marked for their purpose. Not like the Harbor Freight products that come with all the screws and nuts thrown into one bag.
Instructions (sheet dated 2/25/22) - I read it fully before starting since my install was delayed two days for rain. No room in garage with 2 cars put away until summer. There is a parts listing with quantities and a picture for each of the parts. THERE ARE 7 PAGES total - 1.5 written instructions and 5 pages of pictures. These were well written by someone who knows English well - not the usual Chinese translated crap that doesn't make sense. I was able to follow along and kept referring to the pictures to understand exactly how to do the install. Without the pictures it would be extremely hard to figure out the proper placements of all the parts - 12 brackets and 100 misc screws, washers, and bolts.
There is cutting required but that is on the plastic covers on the underneath of the vehicle which they have you remove to cut. That allows the metal brackets to lay against metal rather than having plastic between them. Note: They have you remove the covers underneath to cut. THIS IS NOT REQUIRED. Simply use a new blade on a razor and you can easily cut the material you marked right in place. Saves a lot of time. Installing everything exactly as shown is required to have the brackets properly align to the underside of the side bars. The side bar inserts appeared to be brass fittings.
One note: removing the underneath rocker panel plastic clips is hard...most likely they may break. See this video at 21:14 to understand how to attempt to remove them. You need to remove 5 from each side.
I suspect most of the side bar installations are mounted in the same manner. I wanted bars instead of boards so that no snow would pile up on them against the truck body. The bars just about self-clean and I only plan on using them to knock snow off my shoes and boots. I doubt I will ever step on them except for washing the roof. They are not useful for adults entering or leaving the truck. The satin black will matches the wheels on my BAP package - Alto blue exterior.
Picture of installed bars sucks but it has been snowing since I put them on.
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