Nerfs, loops or boards and why?

[Danny G]

OK guys... I wanted to get your opinions.

Do you prefer a loop/hoop step, a nerf bar or running boards... or perhaps just running the truck naked.

Why do you prefer said choice?

[Vic Roma]

Naked: cleaner.

However, for practicalities, a Powerstep by Amp Research is a contender, especially since it tucks away under the rockers. Helps the family get in out without them looking like they’re in boot camp scaling a rope wall, and, it’s cleaner.

[grumpin]

Hoop steps, because of disabilities, definitely help me get in and out.

[old55pete]

I have been running mine naked sense I have had it. I learned from a CJ5 that I had earlyer in life. The less you have hanging off of the bottom, the less there is to rip off while out in the woods. It also helps that I am 6'3" tall and have no proublem stepping into or out of a stock lift pickup.

Just my humble opnion

[Danny G]

Those are pretty cool. I like that they light up.

Yes I have no problem getting in and out I am 6'3" but others may have issue. I typically use a step only for getting to the cab roof or to scrap/knock junk off my boots.

[Gary Lewis]

If by "nerf bar" you mean full-length ones like shown below, then that's what I like - for Big Blue.  That's because he sits tall and they are needed to help people get in.  And, I can stand on them to put things in the bed or the tool box.  Plus, they protect the body as they are attached to the frame.

Dad's truck won't have any, and Blue has the automagic ones that drop down when you open the door.  In other words, I like the "clean" look for most trucks.

[kramttocs]

Lot of factors play into it like have been mentioned - usage and condition of truck as well as height or physical ability of the person getting in.

On my 86 4wd 3/4 I like the look of treadplate running boards. They help the kids get in without having to really look where they are placing their feet and they help a lot with preventing rock chips when on gravel roads.

On our farm trucks (1 ton 4wd flatbeds) that my dad and grandpa use daily, we have both hoops and running boards. Nerfs would be better though for the added strength since the hoops have all had to have some repair on them. Something is needed though to help them get in as well as something to scrape boots off on. Surprisingly the running boards have held up pretty well.

For 2wd 150's I like nothing on them.

Just my preferences.

[myrl883]

I prefer naked. I had wide hoops on my SuperCab 'cuz my wife and I are both shorties.

[Danny G]

I like the running boards on he duely 250/350's that people pull trailers with. They look off to me on a taller truck, but are functional for stopping rocks and other things. Probably the most functional of all options.

[kramttocs]

We are on the same page. The drw trucks I've seen like you are referring to (nice horse haulers) typically have the running boards that go from wheel well to wheel well. My 86/Camano came with those and the rear piece changes the look even more. I prefer just the front section (to the back of the cab) but can't argue with protection the full length ones afford.

[1986F150Six]

E6TZ-16450-E

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Ford-E6TZ-16450-E-1980-1986-F-150-F-250-F-350-truck-running-board-kit/233501660423?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item365dc89507:g:zWsAAOSwn~BeT~QZ&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickkai8xCwosGKpC0NWj85e%252FB%252BGxPYFOqJCvoE%252F30emIQ%252BEkmIAMkp2I9AHgsPHE7g1VpGQQQds4sk2Bb3FabGL4vYktbi13KvHRm8GlpC1ad%252FvHS6hT3VAY%252FrFEzRYTxUdlTHZu4bgXKVHusxVRop3Sf7mUi4UCtMu28N8vPRf3WNfxkVEnhERg%252F7Z%252BKhlyH%252F0R4n43U5m%252BeJmbDRalswYWMxXBrNuOoaOJSN7T2ZP%252BfdtNhFe%252F7gR8p7ed0pvM2rcAWtucSNij%252BlO8DyKHWjk5DkfdYFiDdgrw9AWDMfQbCz%252FWByscmQ%252FsTSEu4QufC0HBYcywXVjaFNNQ0RKl1njYxX6YWXtYfVK06r69BYgr2VykR44f15ObNtJqLeIF8Id9B1MYADoMdhanr%252Bos8652N9aUDRMsOjXi1P5bP%252FkrsllJeRWF6ZD5XEeeL3Qy0Ugff60DR8vd1HuGIW75wKrqk6n6wMmlq7Q9OeQTgypdLyklqp1A4wVpJhn1BwMGglPAeNb%252B9hSQYCSbWOZgkIMaRdQNyysgrD2ScX1pGa8mt7GTluShWujteVHhzh55F2s9s%252F%252FHmCa7rownqZCQoYhDeZKdA3P5mtNkSrVhqt%252B1XbE55MCkYzXykTxOdTOPPDEfs32zry2XnFM2PAFsQDG1jxW9g4fGI7EtuNq9tD4PvOcx3Z6uQABaCFAAR%252BdJMP%252BMx7X6exHujGoIizaSfjjXi3WCQ6sVuKe1zOJyf3fQQ13gxRdcOLImtDMB7d1AgHbCm%252F98LAMk2BgSjKdgKmnrfe%252FSfrVj049F1Y1374yojOk%253D%7Ccksum%3A233501660423e1c537f66ad44e7094ccf19ed145a8dd%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

[86 1/2 Brutus]

Running Boards    Makes it easier to get in and out of the truck, plus if you need to get anything out of the bed, you have a step.  Actually though, i like nerf bars as well on trucks that are lifted

[Nothing Special]

For appearance my personal preference is nothing.  I like the cleaner look.  And I'm 6' tall and pretty nimble, so getting in isn't a problem.

For a combination of appearance and function to make it easier for my 5'6" wife or my 87 year old dad get in I like the factory steps used in the mid '90s (at least on the mid '90s trucks).  Here it is on my old '95 SuperCab



And the aftermarket steps on my '97 crew cab are close.




But what I don't like about that style is how it doesn't hold up to road salt.  On both my '95 and now my '97 the supports went away and eventually it's just hanging from the body, which is also rusting away.  So I'm getting concerned that someone will break one off, fall and get hurt.

So for that reason I like the running boards that Dee Zee used to make that attach to the frame.  I may end up fabbing something like that for my '97.

By the way, personally I'd never want anything that attaches to both the body and the bed.  There's too much flex between them when the truck gets twisted up.  OK if the truck never leaves pavement, but even though I don't go off-roading with my pickup, I still get it a little twisted at the cabin, or on the boat launch or something.  And I wouldn't want the running boards attached to the bottom of the body and bed trying to help stiffen the chassis.

edit to add:  I do like the nerf bars Gary has on Big Blue as well.  It's still a pretty clean look, and still functional as a step.  But I think they'd be a slipperier step (especially when wet), so I'm not sure my dad would like them as well.

[85lebaront2]

I have a set of those Dee Zee boards on Darth. The new ones are no where near as substantial as mine. When I bought Darth in 1994, the bed side ones were loose and would dump you on the ground if you weren't careful. The rear was simply attached to an angle that was "mud daubered" to the frame, I installed a nice piece of square tubing all the way from inside one dually fender to the other and bolted the vertical portion of the boards to it. I can post pictures of the mounting and reinforcement if desired.

[86 1/2 Brutus]

I can see your point about attaching to the body and the bed, but , the running boards on Brutus.  Came with the truck new in 86 with the exception of the black tread which had to be redone, are in near perfect condition.

[Whisler]

I prefer hoops, but only if they attach to the frame as the old Dee Zee's did. Since I couldn't find such, I went with nerfs on Frankenstein so my wife could get in.