I was curious if anybody has information on Nerf Bars or anthing like them that mount on to the frame of the truck as opposed to the rocker panels. I have a '97 F-150 and want something durable. Something that won't bend or sag after alot of use.

 

I have smitty tube step bars that mount to the frame. they are really sturdy. I don't know where to get them mine were on the truck when I bought it.

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97 f-150 XLT sc,5.4L silver,flare side.Bone stock for now.

 

I have Smitty Bilt frame mounted, chrome nerf bars. I think I paid about $300 at a local truck shop.

I didn't realize at the time that you could buy cab mounted bars. I was really nervous about drilling into the frame but have seen no ill affect. Very sturdy bars.

The only problem is the chrome on the bottom has flaked off a bit and in those places they have some surface rust. I just keep 'em waxed and the surface that you can easily see is still in great shape. All in all - great bars!

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'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, white/sliver, SC, ORP, 5.4, Mods: 305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt Nerf Bars, Edelbrock IAS Shocks, K&N Filter and Carbon Fiber Bug Gaurd. Rigged the fog lights too.

 

Has anyone heard that if you drill into the frame, it'll void the frame warranty of the vehicle. That's something that I've come across while looking into different brands.

 

Redryder your information is incorrect. All fords have body mounted crash sensors. they are either mounted to the radiator support on years up to 98 or 99. models newer are under the dash on the trans. tunnel.It also takes a pretty heavy impact to set the air bags off. I work on ford trucks every day.

[This message has been edited by choochoo (edited 09-19-1999).]

[This message has been edited by choochoo (edited 09-19-1999).]

 

The Smittybilts (chrome) that I put on my '98 S/C 4X4 mounted rear bolts on an existing frame hole on the rear mount and the front you had to drill a 9/16(if I remember correctly) hole in the side of a body mount on the frame. The one you had to drill came close to the gas line on the drivers side, so try and drill it so the bolting doesn't end up rubbing on the gas line.

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Red 99.5 Lightning,#0975,Born 5/6/99...Adopted 5/27/99 Chipped w/SuperChip Flipchip chip, Mobil 1

 

Guys, do not mount your nerf bars to the frame!!! The impact sensors for your air bags are mounted to the frame, and if you accidently clip a curb too close and scuff the nerf bar, the vibration traveling through the bar to the frame could cause the air bags to accidently deploy. This is why most of the nerf bar manufacurers mount the bars to the body and not the frame!! This could quite easily happen in an off-road situation if you brushed the bar against a log, rock, dirt pile, etc.

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'99 F-150 XLT 4x4 S/C, 5.4 auto 2 tone Bright Red with Silver, Aluminum Mags. Mods so far: Chrome Westin Nerf Bars, Bedliner, Profile Bug Deflector and Window Air Deflectors, got rid of god awful factory stereo and installed rightous Sony CDX-4250 CD player.

 

Try Luverne, they make stainless steel bars that mount to the frame for about the same money $300-$325. I bought mine through a Ford dealer parts department. They have a website also. www.luvernetruck.com

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99 XLT,4x4, S/C, 5.4, 3.73LS, Black, 6 Disc Changer, Gibson Dual Cat-Back Exhaust

 

I have the westin chrome nerf bars mounted to the frame and I have bottomed them out offroad with no problems. About the frame mounted sensors, I have bottomed my frame out so hard I bent the support that runs under the transfer case. Your tow hooks and trailer hitch or bumper mounts to the frame. When I am jerking someone out or being jerked out of a mudhole I have never seen an airbag pop out.

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1997 4x4 5.4 ORP XLT extended cab Dark Toreador red Westin nerf bars tint HARDER THAN A ROCK AND FASTER THAN A HEART BEAT

 

Hey choochoo, thanks for setting me straight on the air bag deal. The accessory installer who installed my Westin nerf bars told me that bit about the air bags when I asked why they bolted to the body and not the frame. He said something about an inertia switch that triggered whenever the frame took a hit in the forward direction. Made sense at the time, but if you work on Fords everyday I believe you.

 

I have Westin bars on my supercab 4x4 and let me tell you they are very sturdy I was suprised at how solid that hey actually are. and mine mount to the body. I'm a pretty big guy (255lbs.) and I stand on mine to wash the top of the truck all the time mine have never started to bend or flex or anything. and I believe Westin is the only company that gives you a 5 year warranty on the chrome. which i nevr wax or polish just wash and dry and have never discolored or chipped or flaked. Fit and finish is as good as new.

[This message has been edited by dreamer7 (edited 09-22-1999).]

 

I have the Westin bars. After about a year, I noticed that they had little rock chips on the under side. These chips had surface rust on them. I took them off, cleaned them up, and sprayed the bottoms with wheel clear coat ($5 in spray can). Time will tell if this works. I'm sure after 5 years the whole bottoms would be rust. I'll have to check my warranty information on how much they are going to cover.

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1998 F-150 SC 4X4, 5.4, ORP, Red clearcoat, K&N, Chrome push guard, roll bar & tube side steps, Smoke bug guard and tail light covers, Black bed mat & Ford mud flaps.
www.wrtc.com/oldbook/Truck5.jpg

 

I have Westins that mount to the frame and LOVE them! No drilling was required and they are very sturdy! Good luck in your decision.

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'97 F-150, 2WD, 8'bed, 4.2L,5-spd, 3.55 axle, Pendaliner, D. plate toolbox & mud flaps, K&N filter, 3" air box mod,slotted taillight covers, Ventvisors, bug deflector, Westin nerf bars, champion truck plugs, towing pkg, 2000# helper springs, Whelen Responder 2 light bar, 100Watt Street Thunder Siren and speaker, headlight flasher, Rancho RS5000 shocks

 

I have Smittybilts mounted to the body on a super cab. Very sturdy. No give at all. No regrets @ $180.00

 

My father has body mounted stainless steel bars on his '98 4X4. We use it for farm work quite a bit (so they get a lot of abuse) and they still look great after a year. Also, living in Nebraska where they use a lot of salt, the stainless will last forever. I plan on adding them to my '99 as soon as possible.

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1999 F-150 XLT
5.4L Auto
Ext. Cab
4X4 Package
Tow Package
Just got it, adding K&N and duel pipes soon.