Opinions on customizing Westin oval tube step bars - Dodge Diesel

jeffcall7 · 03-13-2007, 08:38 PM

Ordered chromed aluminum oval tube step bars by Westin for my '06 Quad Cab 2500 CTD. Put them on - but they overhang by a bit front and rear - I can slide them forward and back but they will interfere with even the thinnest mud flap up in the wheel well and overhang almost 7" behind the cab - across the cab-to-bed gap.

Question - they come in 75" as well as 85" (85 is my length and all the websites recommend this length for my model Ram). If I return these and get the 75" it'll cost me over a hundred bucks since they aren't technically wrong and they ain't broke. The 75's would fit though, and might be just a TAD short but that'd be better, as long as the plastic steps still match up with the door openings.

Other option - CAN THEY BE CUT? I can pull off the end caps and cut through the tubes but do you all think the chromed aluminum will rust once cut? I'd rather not have them rechromed just for this.

Anyone else ordered these - and what length did they get? THANKS!

Gunpowder · 03-14-2007, 08:46 PM

I would probably cut them how you want them. I don't think chromed aluminum will rust, but I could be wrong. Seal the edge with silicone and put the cap back on, and you should be fine. JMHO.

megafast · 03-14-2007, 10:08 PM

How did you end up w/ the wrong ones? They should have sent the ones for your model truck. I don't get it.

jeffcall7 · 03-15-2007, 04:34 PM

Technically, each website I have checked lists the 85" as the step bar length for an 06 QuadCab. Some sites you buy the length you want and don't choose by truck model, which is what I should have done rather than trusting them. I figure there are other owners out there with the same length if they bought them the same way.

Vinceg99 · 03-15-2007, 10:48 PM

Well if they are indeed Chromed Aluminum they wont rust but I dont know if they are Aluminum?

I dont get how they are too long for mudflaps?? cause if they stick out that far in the front seems like you would have issues with hitting the wheels then?? As for the rear well its probably longer for you to be able to use the step bar to get into the bed and well you obviously shouldnt have an issue with mudflaps on the rear cause that would mean the step bar is going through your wheel/tire...

I mean unless im missing something I dont get how theres an issue?

eswartz · 03-16-2007, 09:45 AM

Take a look at mine in my gallery. They are long, but I never thought about cutting them shorter, might not be a bad idea. I did have to send the first set back after about a year due to the chrome finish pitting, guaranteed for life and Westin stood behind them. Good Luck, let us know how they turn out if you end up cutting them shorter.

buddy26 · 03-16-2007, 10:08 AM

If you can return them, Get the oems from ebay. I just got a set for 325 shipped.

jeffcall7 · 03-16-2007, 04:38 PM

We're having a winter mess

right now but I'll post a pic of them tomorrow. They are the same as in eswartz's profile - if I slide them forward into the wheel well they get very close to the tire before the back end of the step lines up with the back of the cab. I'm in talks

with the company about what they'll do for me.

These little faces could sure get annoying if you use them too much

03-14-2007, 08:46 PM	#2
Gunpowder Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 35 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I would probably cut them how you want them. I don't think chromed aluminum will rust, but I could be wrong. Seal the edge with silicone and put the cap back on, and you should be fine. JMHO. __________________ 04 QC SB HO 6sp, Red, 4x4, slt custom wheel to wheel step bars, custom cargo handling system, LED cupholder lights, isspro pyro, boost, and fp gauges in the cubbyhole mount.

03-14-2007, 10:08 PM	#3
megafast Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Baker Montana Posts: 457 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	How did you end up w/ the wrong ones? They should have sent the ones for your model truck. I don't get it. __________________ New Truck: 2011 F350 CC/LB SRW, 6.7 Diesel, Lariat, NAV, 20's, 3.55 Electronic Locker, Reflex liner, Duraflaps, WeatherGuard toolbox, Front window tint to match rear. Just Traded OFF: 2010 Dodge 3500 Crew Cab Dually. Auto, 3.73 limited slip, Laramie package, black two tone, bone stock for now. Spray in liner (reflex), weathergauard black diamond plate toolbox, Duraflaps with weights on all four corners. MEMBER #28 OF THE MEGA CAB CLUB

03-15-2007, 04:34 PM	#4
jeffcall7 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 9 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Technically, each website I have checked lists the 85" as the step bar length for an 06 QuadCab. Some sites you buy the length you want and don't choose by truck model, which is what I should have done rather than trusting them. I figure there are other owners out there with the same length if they bought them the same way. __________________ 2006 Ram 2500 CTD Quad Cab Long Bed 4x4 SLT

03-15-2007, 10:48 PM	#5
Vinceg99 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 504 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Well if they are indeed Chromed Aluminum they wont rust but I dont know if they are Aluminum? I dont get how they are too long for mudflaps?? cause if they stick out that far in the front seems like you would have issues with hitting the wheels then?? As for the rear well its probably longer for you to be able to use the step bar to get into the bed and well you obviously shouldnt have an issue with mudflaps on the rear cause that would mean the step bar is going through your wheel/tire... I mean unless im missing something I dont get how theres an issue? __________________ 2004.5 3500 QC DRW NV5600 3.73 2WD 422k miles and counting! Volant Intake, Silencer Ring Pulled, 4" all the way back, Brakesmart Brake Controller, and thats about it......

03-16-2007, 09:45 AM	#6
eswartz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 199 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Take a look at mine in my gallery. They are long, but I never thought about cutting them shorter, might not be a bad idea. I did have to send the first set back after about a year due to the chrome finish pitting, guaranteed for life and Westin stood behind them. Good Luck, let us know how they turn out if you end up cutting them shorter. __________________ 2003 Patriot Blue QC, HO 6-Spd, Dark Slate Int, Tow Pkg, Protection Pkg, Tow Mirrors, Access Cover-Lmt. Ed., Wheel Well Liners, Westin Oval Tube Steps, Line-X Bed Liner.

03-16-2007, 10:08 AM	#7
buddy26 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ft Lauderdale FL Posts: 359 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	If you can return them, Get the oems from ebay. I just got a set for 325 shipped. __________________ 2004.5 CTD 2500 SB 4x2 Auto, silver, 3.73s, Magnaflow muffler, No CAT. BullyDog Crazy Larry, No silencer ring. BFG 285 AT, Weather tech floor liners, UWS Black diamond plate tool box, Recon Big Rig lights, Recon smoked cab lights.

03-16-2007, 04:38 PM	#8
jeffcall7 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 9 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	We're having a winter mess right now but I'll post a pic of them tomorrow. They are the same as in eswartz's profile - if I slide them forward into the wheel well they get very close to the tire before the back end of the step lines up with the back of the cab. I'm in talks with the company about what they'll do for me. These little faces could sure get annoying if you use them too much

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