GMT 900 running boards / nerf bars

[underdrive]

A family friend is in need of side steps for her 1500-series GMT900 truck, she asked for a recommendation and we really have no idea what is out there that is actually good and durable. Quick recon in parking lots showed that the most common attachment methods are still either to the cab mounts or the rocker panels, I would think the cab mount attachment is better as it utilizes bolts that are already there and does not add corrosion points to the factory sheetmetal. Something that bolts to the frame would be best, but I'm thinking that's pretty much rock-slider territory there... Truck spends decent amount of time in the rust-belt latitudes during winter so the parts need to be pretty resistant to corrosion and rust - from what we've seen in our travels rust seems to still be a huge problem for cheaper "chrome" nerf-bars even on new trucks. Massive square-tube rock sliders like the ones on our 4x4s would probably be a no-go, but if they look decent enough and don't require welding to the frame or drilling 100 new holes and are reasonably priced she may go for something like that also... The wheel-to-wheel styling would be preferred as it would also aid in grabbing stuff from the front of the bed, she seems to be somewhat struggling with that right now even tho she won't admit it So, what would you folks recommend?

Thanks!!!

 

[ZMagic97]

On my GMT800, I got Smitybilt ones for ~$200 and the mount to the frame. I would see if it is the same for the 900s.

 

[rayra]

cab / rocker mount makes them decorative, not functional. She just looking for an attached step? Pull a set from a scrapyard. Or buy them new -
http://www.carid.com/2009-chevy-suburban-running-boards/

 

[underdrive]

On my GMT800, I got Smitybilt ones for ~$200 and the mount to the frame. I would see if it is the same for the 900s.

Yes they make them for the GMT 900, they call them "Sure Steps" - yours are the big round tube ones that bolt to the cab mounts, right? $200 for the stainless one still, that's pretty good price for something that will never rust out. I'll run them by our friend and see what she thinks of them, thanks.

cab / rocker mount makes them decorative, not functional. She just looking for an attached step? Pull a set from a scrapyard. Or buy them new -
http://www.carid.com/2009-chevy-suburban-running-boards/

I'm not a fan of the cab/rocker mounted steps at all, it's not that they can't be strong but once you start drilling into the sheetmetal you're pretty much inviting rust to start there, especially if carriage bolts are to be used. That said, I did watch some rather bulky guy get into the one truck with the rocker-mounted steps, they didn't even flex down under him. Additionally the rocker-mount steps made by Smittybuilt for example (they call them "nerf steps) are rated at like 450 lbs weight, which is rather impressive. Oddly enough they do not list the weight rating of their "sure step" which bolt to the cab mounts using the factory bolts, but there is not drilling into the sheetmetal there so there is that advantage.

So it looks like I'll be going thru the link you posted and then going to every manufacturer's website and checking how they attach to the truck (some are obviously drilled into the rocker, will skip those). Will take a while but it's probably the best way.

 

[orangeTJ]

On my GMT800, I got Smitybilt ones for ~$200 and the mount to the frame. I would see if it is the same for the 900s.

I pulled the Smittybuilt nerf bars off my GMT800 (02 2500HD) and they bolted up to my GMT900 (2009 3500HD)

They need replaced because the powdercoat is all chipped and rust is starting to show - happens after 13 years of use on 2 trucks.

I prefer the bars/steps that mount to the cab/body mounts rather than being bolted to the rocker panels. GM Dealers offer a nice set that clamps for the rocker panels and provide a wider step platform, but I can't bring myself to install something like that which attaches to the sheet metal, even though no drilling is required (since they clamp on)

 

[ZMagic97]

Yes they make them for the GMT 900, they call them "Sure Steps" - yours are the big round tube ones that bolt to the cab mounts, right? $200 for the stainless one still, that's pretty good price for something that will never rust out. I'll run them by our friend and see what she thinks of them, thanks..

Yup, those are the ones!

 

[Ducky's Dad]

I have SmittyBilts on an older GM and they have done well over almost 17 years. I put a set of similar Smittys on my Dodge in 2005 and they started rusting badly within a year, so I replaced them. My conclusion: the old Smittys were a lot better than the current Smittys. I won't buy any more Smitty stuff until quality improves. The replacements on the Dodge were/are N-Fabs (made by N-Fab, not the similar stuff made by Smitty under license from N-Fab). Those 2006 N-Fabs are far superior in quality to the 2005 Smittys. I just put a new set of N-Fabs on my DD Tundra, and the quality seems to have fallen off on those compared to the older ones on the Dodge, but the jury is out. The Tundra also got an N-Fab light bar, and it is crap. Sloppy welds, flawed powder coat, kinks in the bends, and it didn't fit right without hogging out the factory holes.

Smitty has a mounting system on some trucks that is superior to the N-Fabs. Smitty (on mine) uses heavy laser-cut mounts that carry the load back to hard mounting points, like the cab and box bolts. N-Fab (on mine) just uses bolts through the pinch welds, which is fine for street use but prone to failure offroad. I just reinforced the N-Fabs on the Dodge and they seem like they will be much sturdier. See this for details:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/141912-Rivet-nuts/page4