I am designing a set of nerf bars for my '96 Dodge RAM 1500 4x4. I plan
on fabricating these myself. So I am looking for ideas to make these a
little better than just a 4" metal tube welded to the frame.

Here are some possible ideas to include:
marker/running lights
aluminum diamond-plate treads
step lights that turn on/off with door opening
use tubes as an air tank for a compressor

What do other people look for? What am I not going to think about until
after I have built these units?

Thanks for your input.

tmills65 wrote:

shiny disco moving 'round.

Anyway, the girls will like your variant.

Axel

Axel Hammer wrote:

Don't get me wrong here... I am not fabricating these merely for the
Bling factor. In fact, my personal tastes are 180 degrees from those
show trucks that are covered in stainless accessories. I like a truck I
can feel comfortable taking through the bush without worrying about
having to polish out all the scratches.

However, I do realize that,at least in my case, other people need to
get in and out of the truck on a daily basis.

I am trying to get a balance of form vs function.

Thoughts so far...
4" diameter 3/16" wall steel pipe, recessed aluminum checker-plate
treads on top, two or three small marker lights going down the length
of the pipe (mostly so nobody knocks it in the dark with their leg).
Weld each end closed so water does not get trapped inside the pipe.
Possibly an LED (small, not obvious in the daytime) light front and
back of the tread plates that turn on when you open the door (so people
can see where to put their feet in the dark).

I have seen small steps that are motorized and lower when you open the
door. Nifty, but I think one good rock or tree stump would damage them
beyond repair.

I think you are on the right track. Simple, yet functional. I like
the idea of the running lights. And as cheap as LED's are, you could
get a couple of lights that light under the tread or under the nerf bar
to illuminate them at night too.

Great plan. I am thinking of doing something similar to a brush guard
with tubular pipe and a welding torch.

Pikeboy98
'88 F150

Go for some steel. Design the frame fixture to be as rugged as possible
but avoid to weld on the frame. Think of some hooks that allow your
vehicle to be winched on the wheels again when it has turned upside down.
Try not to reduce the vehicle's clearance.

Axel

A piece of railroad track..
"tmills65" <mills (AT) brewersmarine (DOT) com> wrote

williamhubbard wrote:


Axel