Some people call them Nerf Bars, some call them Step Bars; my granddaughter calls them "the big shiny tubes." Whatever you call them; Modern necessity of using trucks has made access to the cab and box critical. .For the Toyota Tundra, a simple and safe solution to climbing in an out could be the installation of Nerf bars. They are an item that many people overlook in their quest for truck greatness and safety.
In addition to the Nerf Bars benefit of providing the ease of climbing in and out of the truck cab and box, the Nerf Bars add an element of protection for your truck body. Since Nerf Bars mount several inches from the side of the vehicle, they can serve as the first line of defense against damage from that run-away shopping cart or that loose boulder on your favorite off-road trail or anything else could cause damage. But with all their benefits, not all Nerf bars are created equal. There are many different brands Nerf Bars with as many different finishes. There are Short Nerf Bars - Nerf bars that terminate just behind the door of the cab. These Nerf Bars typically begin behind the front wheel fender and extend back far enough to be used to get in and out of the cab. Then there are Long Nerf Bars - these Nerf Bars area a popular option with Tundra owners who need to get in and out of their truck bed frequently. The long Neft Bars mount in the front just behind the front wheel fenders and usually end just in front of the rear wheel fenders.
When purchasing Nerf Bars you should consider:
- Nerf Bars Style - Cab length Nerf Bar or a wheel-to-wheel style which will make it easier to access cab and truck bed. Tube Diameter - 3", 3.5" or 4" diameter tube Traditional look with 90 degree bends at the mounting ends or a straighter tubular look. An oval tube step with its flatter and wider step area.
- Nerf Bars Material - Carbon steel, stainless steel or aluminum as the base metal. Stainless steel bars are typically the most expensive but can save you money in the long run. No matter how awesome the finish on the bars, pitting will eventually develop - particularly on the bottom - and moisture and road salt can then creep in, when that happens, if the bar is not stainless or aluminum it will rust and eventually become weak and unsafe.
- Nerf Bars Finish - Typical choices are chrome plating, black powder coated (high temperature baked on black finish), or stainless steel. Pay attention to the step area on the tube - is it fastened to a flattened impression on the bar or is the step tread located over a cutout. In my opinion, flattened is better as it will not allow moisture into the Nerf Bar cavity which could cause rotting from the inside out on a non-stainless steel bar.
- Nerf Bars Ease of Installation - This could be particularly important if you are planning a "Do-It-Yourself" install. Many of the modern day Nerf bars are engineered to fit a particular make, model, year and body type (i.e., extended cab vs. regular cab vs. crew cab) so you should have no probably finding a custom fit for your Toyota Tundra. Many of the kits do not required drilling since the Nerf Bar installation use brackets mounting into existing holes. However, some kits may on occasions require some minimal drilling to finish the installation - so if that's important to you make sure you ask seller about mounting instructions. Most installations can be completed in less than two hours.
With so many choices of Nerf Bars to choose from you are sure get the needed ease of access and protection for your vehicle and still keep it stylish. See our Great Deals on Tundra Parts & Accessories <http://www.tundrapower.com/>.
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