Hey fella's and ladies. Need some help here. I purchased a set of Nerf Bars off of ebay. The instructions say to use the front and rear cab mounts to attach the Bars. I've heard of others saying that they have developed a squeak in the cab after the install. Do most nerf bars attach using the cab mounts? I'm a little leary about pulling the cab mount bolts. Any tips/suggestions when mounting the bars? How tight do the cab mounting bolts need to be? Thanks for your help.

 

I used the cab mounts to attach my nerf bars. The bars I bought off e-bay included new, longer bolts. I have had no issuses at all with squeeks or rattles. I just took out the oe bolts, held up the bar and put in the new bolt. You only do 1 end (bolt) at a time, the cab's not going anywhere. I used a jack stand to hold up the other end, and installed them by myself in 15 minutes.

 

I mounted nerf bars on my 03 in Nov. 03. They also mount using the longer cab mounting bolts, and I have no squeeks. The instructions that I got with mine gave Tourque settings for the bolts. It's possible that following those instructions has prevented the squeeks.
I have no intention of removing the bars so I tossed the instructions. I kept the shorter cab bolt though, just in case.

 

I just installed my Westins using the cab mounts... no squeeks and I just torqued them per the A-hole spec.

I think the critical is putting the spacing washer between the brackets for the bar and the body mount. Without the washer I could easily see the brackets causing a squeek against the body mount.

 

I was given a set of Iceberg bars, the instructions are all faded.
The guy who gave them to me said they bolt on to the cab mounts and I also need to drill a hole in the back of the cab for extra support so it won't flex down when you step on it. There's a bolt required on the fron as well, is this normal or only with the Iceberg's?
Not to hot on drilling a hole in the bottom of my new truck...

 

The Westin's use bracket braces and T-bolts to support the brackets. The T-bolts go into the slots of body in under the rocker panels. Maybe you could come up with something of your own to prevent you from having to drill into the cab. If you like I can try and get some pictures to help you out.... when I get the chance of course.

 

Yah, the guy that gave me these ones has the ones that use those slots underneath, is that also where the factory Dodge ones attach?


How do the N-Fab's bolt on? They look pretty solid but from what I can figue also require some drilling..?

 

Thanks for all the replies folks. I'm going to go ahead and install them. Looks pretty easy to do.

 

12 holes, drilled into the pinch weld, 6 on each side...use a step drill to make life easier

 

factory bars are the only way to go real strong and 3 brackets.the bars mount on top of the bracket not at the end of the tubes.

 

Just mounted Westin's on my MC. They also use the body mounts. No squeeks or rattles.

 

I have the factory dodge ones. The dealer wanted 160.00 to install......I said *** are you talking about. Took me and a friend 15 minutes per side and love the looks and functionality of these bars!!! They install in the oval openings under the cab, and are supported by lateral brackets. I love them. We load tested them wit 2 200lb guys on 1 bar, no problem!

 

I have the Manik full length bars and love them. They mount with T-bolt to the underside of the door sill and have longer support brackets to the frame. I can jump up and down on them and I have zero flex.

 

I'm the guy who has been making noise about the squeeks lately and I can tell you that you're right. Turns out the spacers that came in my kit were just a hair too thin and the brackets were rubbing on the rubber of the cab isolator. A quick trip to the parts bin and I'm back in business. No squeeks. I guess the moral of the story is a better kit will have less little issues like this.

 

For those of you that are "leary" on drilling holes in the truck, than don't ever get the Mopar Diamond plate steps!! I installed them on my truck a few months agao, WHAT A P.I.T.A.!!! steps have 4 brackets for each side, and each bracket you have to drill 4 holes, so thats 32 holes just for the steps!! Than you have to paint seal every hole for rust! I also have the bed extensions too, so that was another 6 holes.

I had the factory tube steps, didnt like them because I thought they were to close to the body, couldn't even get my toe in-between the cab and step. Bought the Mopar tube steps, figured they would be designed with Chrysler for ease of installation... Yea, Right!!

I agree, the factory steps are very easy to install, but I just didnt like how they felt under my foot everytime I stepped in or out of my truck.