Westin wheel to wheel nerfs or ICI running boards

[jcummins]

Anybody install the wheel to wheel version on a 2500HD SRW? How do you like? Any pictures? OR, same for the ICI running boards.

The problem I have with many nerf bars, is they look like an after thought. Hang to low, stick out to far. I would like to install the ICI running boards, but at double the price of the Westin nerf bars

[DMAXDiva]

Hi jcummins:

I have GoRhino W2W's on my truck, you can see pics below. I had originally put cab-length chromed Westins on the truck (still have 'em...guess I ought to unload them one of these days :rolleyes: ), but didn't like them near as much as these W2W's. Best part is the access to the bed/toolbox!

Hope this helps...

[Kennedy]

I put the ICI tapered boards on the cab on my '02 and really like them. I really don't care for the look of a bar. The running boards protect the cab from stones, and hide the frame.

[jcummins]

John, I agree completely about the ICI. What's the best price you've found? Do you have an pictures of your truck with the ICI's?

[SWLA]

jcummins,

I've got the Black Westin WTW bars. Very happy with them, very sturdy. Like DMAXDiva said, that 3rd step at the bed is really useful. I know that running boards offer more protection, but unlike Kennedy I prefer the look of bars. I'll try to post some pics this weekend.

[Steve Cornell]

I've had Westin Step Bars on my last 2 trucks and though they do look good, they don't offer much protection from rock chips, etc.

I went with the J&J Millenniun boards which are 3" wheel to wheel step bars but with a stainless top like running boards.

There are pictures on my web site listed in my signature.

[turbo6600]

Hey Steve how many holes did you have to drill in your rocker panels and was they easy to install/ I'm considering j-jents tapered boards for my dually. Where did you get yours direct from them or elsewhere Turbo6600 smile.gif

[Steve Cornell]

turbo6600

I really like the Millennium boards, I had Westin step boards on my last 2 trucks but the step boards do nothing to protect the sides of the truck.

I installed the boards myself, J&J failed to send any mounting brackets with the boards then they sent the wrong brackets but they finally got me the right ones.
The instructions from J&J are pretty vague (thanks to AKDMAX for providing pictures of his J&J boards), the install is not that bad but very time consuming, 4 holes on each side need to be drilled into the pinch welds on the truck, and about 6 self tapping screws need to be screwed into the underside of the truck (I used nuts and bolts where I could instead of the self tappers) (if J&J had taken more time on the bracket design much of the drilling could have been avoided by using factory holes), I'm a bit anal when it comes to a $45,000 truck so I took my time and painted all the new drilled holes and used rubber emblem tape between the brackets and the truck body, I even painted the brackets body color even though you can't see them.

The boards are very solid and easily hold my 275 lbs, the boards attach only to the cab and not the bed but you can stand on the rear section with no problems, I like the fact that the boards are not attached to the bed since the cab and bed sometimes flex differently on rough terrain.

I ordered the LED lights from http://www.led-r-us.com/ (great people to deal with and great pricing) I used the 1259A and the
12571 mounting base, I wired the lights into the 5th wheel trailer wiring harness between the cab and the bed.
I also installed a plastic \ chrome trim strip on the top edge of the board so I wouldn't scratch the paint, I mounted the boards with about a 1\8" of clearance between the top of the board and the cab.

I ordered the J&J boards from Trail Blazers, 800-388-8637 or http://www.trailblazersinc.com/, the cost was $716 delivered but $160 of that was
freight, you can buy direct from J&J but they wanted $780 plus freight.

[jbplock]

Steve,

My compliments on your website… Very nice! Thanks for a great job documenting your J&J install. Your truck is identical to mine so I really appreciate being able to see how it will look with the Milleniums. I also relate to your comment “I'm a bit anal when it comes to a $45,000 truck so I took my time…With that in mind I have a few questions on your install…

From your pic’s it looks like the brackets also tie to the frame. Is this correct?
Is all the hardware stainless including brackets?
Would it be possible (for an ultra-anal person like me) to fabricate brackets that completely support the boards from the frame without mounting to body pinch welds?

Thanks!

[Burner]

I have ICI WTW SS bars. This is my second set. My first set + shipping was a little over 700.00. The second set was "under" 600, installed. I really like these bars. I prefer the bars because I use mudflaps and work in the mud. Working in the mud will "fill" the underside of the boards as well as the truck. That much mud can and will get heavy. I do like the boards but they tend to aquire mud on the top. When I do get "out of the mud" the steps are still covered while the tubes tend to let it fall off. :rolleyes:


I think that ICI makes a good product. However, it would be nice if the mounting brackets were made of SS.---- BTW ICI seem to be very strong. My 450 lb buddy, Trent, can bounce on any portion of the step and it will still return to the oridginal position. I might add ------- 75 ft lbs is all you need when mounting :D

Burner~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Steve Cornell]

jbplock,

The boards mount only to the cab (above the rubber body mounts) you would not want to mount them to the frame also as the cab will move a bit in the rubber mounts and could cause problems if the boards were mounted to both.

The step bars that mount to frame are fine as they do not mount anywhere to the cab.

I'm sure with enough effort you could make your own custom brackets but the mounts that come with the boards work very well once you get over drilling the holes :(

The hardware is all stainless but the brackets are steel.

I added another section to my web page this evening documenting the install of the boards with detail of each bracket, check it out and it should answer all your questions.

the address is http://www.rtol.net/scornell/JJBoards.htm or go to my web site listed in my signature below and click on the link to the J&J install

[Kennedy]

I had a bit of modifying to do to the ICI brackets, BUT there was NO drilling necessary. The brackets inserted into factory access holes on the cab.