Winterproof Step Bars?

[bengulden]

Hello All,

I'm (unfortunately) a resident of the great white north where we like to put more salt on our roads than the entirety of the entire pacific ocean, so I wash my truck weekly during the winter time. Unfortunately, the "Ionic" brand step bars I put on my truck rusted pretty horrendously, both on the mounting hardware and on the bars themselves, despite the weekly washes. It's the darndest thing, because the rest of the underbody is perfectly fine.

Does anyone have recommendations for higher quality step bars, or perhaps a specific finish I should look for in order to prevent this? The bars I had on are listed as just "gloss black finish" so I'm guessing that's where I went wrong. Thanks for the help!

 

[Burnzie]

My Rebel came with the Mopar one's and they are Aluminum, = no rust. Don't know if the mounts are Aluminum or steel though.

 

[vincentw56]

I have stainless steel HDX Steps from Westin.

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[SD Rebel]

If you want to keep your original bars, I would clean them and spray down with Corrosion-X ($10 a can), which is a great rust cleaner and inhibitor. Works well even with electronics and protecting them from water. It will turn surface rust to black in a day or so and keep it from coming back.

Or just wait until the season is over, get your steps sand blasted and bed-lined. Not powder coated, that will crack and rust over time.

If you go with other bars, as mentioned the factory aluminum ones are nice and any aftermarket ones that are bed-lined or stainless.

 

[b.w.royder]

You can get any steps line xed. That’s what I did to mine. They will out last the truck now.

 

[ShadowWolf206]

I've had these Westin Outlaw Nerf bars for over a year so far. I had gotten them after slipping off the plastic Mopar steps back around Christmas of '19.
They have a anti-slip grip material built into the steel of the step, which is the main reason I purchased them. They're all grade treated steel, so they're a hefty step up in terms of sturdiness from the Mopar steps.
They are/were a bit pricey, but that's to be expected of such rugged construction. They are technically rock sliders, so they may not be to everyone's tastes, but I'm happy with them.

(Also, a little dirty.. yes. That's Colorado roads for you.)

 

[Fatherof3]

Hello All,

I'm (unfortunately) a resident of the great white north where we like to put more salt on our roads than the entirety of the entire pacific ocean, so I wash my truck weekly during the winter time. Unfortunately, the "Ionic" brand step bars I put on my truck rusted pretty horrendously, both on the mounting hardware and on the bars themselves, despite the weekly washes. It's the darndest thing, because the rest of the underbody is perfectly fine.

Does anyone have recommendations for higher quality step bars, or perhaps a specific finish I should look for in order to prevent this? The bars I had on are listed as just "gloss black finish" so I'm guessing that's where I went wrong. Thanks for the help!

I have the mopar off road style , 2 years now and no rust .

 

[RamRMK]

I had my go rhino D6 boards bed lined before I installed them so we will see how they do in northeast winters. I plan on fluid filming the brackets along with the rest of the undercarriage before winter each year.


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[mikeru82]

I have stainless steel HDX Steps from Westin.

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Not sure I'd recommend those to anyone who drives on salted roads. I have these on my Laramie, and wish I could say they don't rust. After two winters, there is some rust in the corners of the steps. I'll try to remember to attach pics. They don't salt the roads where I live, so I doubt they would hold up well in areas where they do salt the roads.

 

[vincentw56]

Not sure I'd recommend those to anyone who drives on salted roads. I have these on my Laramie, and wish I could say they don't rust. After two winters, there is some rust in the corners of the steps. I'll try to remember to attach pics. They don't salt the roads where I live, so I doubt they would hold up well in areas where they do salt the roads.

Do you have the stainless steel ones or just the steel ones? I paid extra for the stainless steel ones. I'll keep an eye on them as I drive on salted roads too.

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[mikeru82]

Do you have the stainless steel ones or just the steel ones? I paid extra for the stainless steel ones. I'll keep an eye on them as I drive on salted roads too.

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Only the actual step pads are stainless on yours. I have the steel step pads, but that's not where mine are rusting. The rust is occurring in the support areas near the steps.

 

[vincentw56]

Only the actual step pads are stainless on yours. I have the steel step pads, but that's not where mine are rusting. The rust is occurring in the support areas near the steps.

Not true. The whole thing is made of stainless steel and then black powder coated. They offer two versions. One made of steel and one made of stainless steel.

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[mikeru82]

Not true. The whole thing is made of stainless steel and then black powder coated. They offer two versions. One made of steel and one made of stainless steel.

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My bad, I wasn't aware of that. I would have ordered the stainless steel version if I had. The price difference between the two when I ordered was minimal. So I assumed it was just the step pads that were stainless. I assumed they would be much more expensive if they are fully stainless steel. Guess I should have taken the blue pill LOL.

 

[bengulden]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Looks like I'll be ordering a set of the Westin Stainless bars and then Line-X'ing the bejesus out of them for good measure (Assuming the wife allows me to do so... those suckers are EXPENSIVE!) I'm a big fan of the wheel to wheel look so I'll be sure to post pics when I get them.

 

[Le_Slacker]

I have stainless steel HDX Steps from Westin.

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I have a different wheel to wheel Westin set and I’ve been looking at these
Wondering if we are using the same brackets and that would be an easy swap for me. Can I get you to post pics of the underside, especially 4th bracket ?

 

[vincentw56]

I'll try to get that tomorrow.

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[Chopperbobby]

I have stainless steel HDX Steps from Westin.

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I have these also not the third step only steps by door. Mine are only 6 months old. After the winter I have specks of rust spotted. Wounded if there is a protectant I can put on?

 

[vincentw56]

I have these also not the third step only steps by door. Mine are only 6 months old. After the winter I have specks of rust spotted. Wounded if there is a protectant I can put on?

Not sure. Mine are made of stainless steel so I don't do anything except rinse them off at the car wash.

2020 Bighorn Night Edition, 5.7 Hemi w/eTorque

 

[ClinchMountainRam]

I'm looking at N-Fab Predator Pro, they're aluminum.

 

[bengulden]

I have these also not the third step only steps by door. Mine are only 6 months old. After the winter I have specks of rust spotted. Wounded if there is a protectant I can put on?

While I obviously didn’t put it on my steps because I didn’t think of it, I used to use WD-40 Specialist Corrosion inhibitor on deck equipment when I was in the Coast Guard. If it can keep a steel machine gun mount from needing constant sanding and painting in a marine environment, it stands to reason it would protect some steps.


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