GM Side Steps - Chrome Or Grey

[avking]

I have thought about side steps for a while and have decided to go with the GM set. Has anyone seen these in person? I like the idea of the Gray, if it is a close match to the cladding. Anyone know? I have the Light Pewter AV.

 

[redspook]

I've got an 02 and the side steps match the cladding (and the mud flaps) perfectly. The 03 and the 02 cladding colors are different, so make sure you get the correct year when you order.

 

[jackalanche]

the side steps appropriate for the 02 or 03 (whichever you have) are a perfect match for the cladding found on those vehicles. As for general feedback from owners on these sidesteps, try this thread:

side steps or bars?

 

[avking]

I just want to make sure we are talking the same thing. What I am looking for info on are the Side Step Tubes, like nerfs. Not the Assist Steps. Maybe I should not have called them Side Steps. I was just quoting the brochure. Your messages read like you were describing the Assist Steps.

Has anyone seen the Gray GM "Nerf" bars is what I am looking for. I have the 02 Light Pewter Z71 4x4.

Thanks...

 

[wildland1]

yup i have them on mine, I might be coming down to buellton this weekend if you wanna check em out.

 

[avking]

Yeah, great. I would love to see them. I sent you an email to your hotmail account with my cell number. Call me when/if you get to town.

Robert

 

[spectron65]

Steps are one of my (many) soon-to-be mods for the AV

Really don't like the grey assist steps that matches the 02 cladding.

Also don't like the chrome steps.

While I was at the dealer, there was a black 02 decked-to-the-hilt Z71 Tahoe on the showroom floor. It had black tubular assist steps that were dealer installed. This is what I was looking for to put in my AV. I did not have a chance to ask my sales person at the time because I was securing my AV sale. When I went back 2 weeks later, the Tahoe was sold.

Does anybody have a Tahoe/Yukon/Sub that has black tubular assist steps? Any help will be appreciated.

 

[bbtx]

Sure like my assist steps that came on my '03. Attaching pic. Personally, I think these are safer than nerf type, but then I'm 57 and don't jump around like I once did. bb

 

[SJProwler]

Check out Trk_accessories_guy on E-bay, I got my stainless step bars from him and he also has made them in black powder coat. I'm still real happy with them and the price was right.

Here is a link to the thread about them

Side Step Bars

SJP

 

[avking]

Well, I just got back from seeing wildland1's gray bars. I like them a lot. Match the pewter colors well. Now I have to decide. Get them to match the color or the chrome to match the bull bar. Hmmm...

A great big thanks go out to wildland1 for having me over to take a look.

 

[jackalanche]

not bad, maybe a record - within 5 hours of posting the question regarding the grey tube steps Avking was able to view another member's rig with the grey tubes he was asking about (I have to admit I am even suprised, since the grey tube steps are easily the rarest step option).

Of course, I have to vote for chrome and if you have the chrome GM Guard there is no question what you need to do, imho (check my sig )

 

[TXAVy]

I'm with SJProwler on this one, if you're considering "tubes" (ie, Nerf Bars), take a look at his contact or even a local dealer who sells Westin Nerf Bars. You'll be able to get either of them for half or less what the GM Nerf bars list out at, which buys you a lot of Grey paint or powder coating if you absolutely can't find someone to sell them to you that way.

Also, the GM nerf bars are turned down at both ends and have several bars supporting them from underneath which all looked like possible ways to get snagged on things you're rolling past/over.

GM Nerf Bars ($705 Chrome, $611 Grey, $585 if ordered as an option on the truck from factory.)

The Westin bars are radiused and attached to the frame at the front and rear, and the middle support connects to the inside of the tube instead of the bottom.

Westin Nerf Bars (Chromed Stainless ~$235-$285)

But if you really like the appearance of the GM bars and not worried that they'll ever get snagged on anything, there's definately no substitute for the GM Factory parts.

 

[steelheadchaser]

Not all the chrome Westin bars are chrome on stainless. If you have a contact the can get the Westin "Platinum", (chrome-plated stainless) you better go for it. The cheapest net prices I have seen for these run from $355-up plus $89 shipping for the Avalanche sized model.

 

[Change For A Dollar]

I looked for the stainless Westins and found out they did not make them for an AV...yet....They had the chrome plated but they only had a 5 year warranty. Went with the ICI's....look just like the Westins and have a lifetime warranty......$369 installed. they also make them in powder coat...which IMO would look beter on a Pewter.

 

[TXAVy]

Not all the chrome Westin bars are chrome on stainless. If you have a contact the can get the Westin "Platinum", (chrome-plated stainless) you better go for it. The cheapest net prices I have seen for these run from $355-up ?plus $89 shipping for the Avalanche sized model.

I was under the impression that it was the chromed stainless (platinum) that I got though I did it through the dealer when I bought the truck. Is there a way to tell on the bars themselves after they're installed which westin model they are?

 

[VRSATL1]

The question of chrome or grey is personal preference.
Here's a shot of what your AV will look like with grey.







[attachment deleted by admin larger then 100KB]

 

[SJProwler]

The bars on my Av that I purchased from Rick (trk_accessories_guy) are 304 polished stainless steel.

As you can tell from the pics of my Av they shine just like chrome yet are very easy to maintain.

One of our fellow members was able to purchase these from Rick in black powder coat and I'm sure he'd be able to supply them in grey also.

The Stainless were $235 plus shipping, the power coated may be slightly more.

SJP

 

[steelheadchaser]

I looked for the stainless Westins and found out they did not make them for an AV...yet.....

I bought a set of the Westin platinum's for the Av over 10 months ago. I got the p/n from the Westin rep at a trade show. I guess I better go out to the truck with a magnet ! Try Calling Westin directly for a p/n. I find that dealers catologs and websites aren't frequently updated.

 

[TXAVy]

Found a way to tell the Westins apart. The step inserts look slightly different between the two models.

Signature Series (Chrome)

Platinum Series (Chromed Stainless)

 

[steelheadchaser]

I started getting a bit worried that my chromed stainless Westins might not be what they were sold as after looking at the step pads. I thought that maybe since I bought them so early in production that the new pads weren't out yet. Turns out they are just as magnetic as the Avs frame. Now I have to see if I can find a 9+ month old receipt and check descriptions and part numbers.

 

[TXAVy]

I'm in the same boat Steel, though I didn't buy them separately so I don't have a part number or itemized description. Looks like I got what I got. Oh well, they still look and work good.

 

[steelheadchaser]

I found my paperwork on my Westin nerf bars, and lo and behold they have the part number for the chrome Signature series (represented to me as s/s Platinum by the retailer and sales rep). I have been unable to find a p/n for a s/s Platinum for the Av. I am sorry for any confusion I helped foster here.

 

[jackalanche]

just a follow-up on TXAvy's post on the price issue - probably should not quote full suggested retail for one iem, and "what you have seen it sell for" for the other item, if you are doing a price comparison. Makes for a sloppy / misleading comparison. (just keepin it real TX )

Point being that no one pays the list price for the GM parts (Chrome tube steps or otherwise) at least not on this board. For true comparison purposes, use a site sponsor price on the GM Bars. Example - most of us have gotten the GM Chrome bars (post Av-purchase) for roughly $490 plus shipping.

As for the original question (chrome vs. grey) my vote for chrome had much to do with the fact that our member already has the GM Guard up front, in chrome. Now I ain't no fashion genius, but imho you don't wanna mix chrome tubes up front with grey tubes on the side, again i.m. lil ol' h.o.

(Plus those grey tubes just can't help but look like primer!)

As for my friend Steel, well I have to admit when I first ordered my UPD in the carbon fiber, I really thought it would be actualy cf (yeah right, all that carbon fiber for the same price as the plastic one, I guess my brain was thinking about my next mod). Till I saw it. So I am running with a fakey cf part, and you have chrome tubes (not that there's anything wrong with that . . . if I were in your shoes, I guess I would only be p*ssed if I paid more for the [supposedly] stainless than the regular chrome price.

 

[powersurg]

I just purchased the Black Westin Signiture Series Nerfs for my Forest Green Ave. I love them. Tey cost me $289 and I installed them myself. These mount to the Body Mounts unlike the Stock Assist Steps. Those were mounted very poorly to the body. I went with the Black mostly for the price difference between. The stainless were $125 more. I am getting the Tal and Hadas Bull Bar and may get both the Westin Nerfs and T & H Bull bar custom Rhino Coated. I have to find out more about the Rhino Coating though.

Please see pics of my Westins by following the link in my Signiture.

 

[jackalanche]

I just purchased the Black Westin Signiture Series Nerfs for my Forest Green Ave. I love them. Tey cost me $289 and I installed them myself. These mount to the Body Mounts unlike the Stock Assist Steps. Those were mounted very poorly to the body.

Where do the Westins attach to the Av? (The GM side bars attach in more places than the Westins, btw (someone thought this fact presented an enhanced "snag" issue for the GM bars ?) and are absolutely solid - so was the case with my side/assist steps, so I am curious about the improved attachment you see with the Westins)