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Westin "oval" Nerf Bar Install

B

Bongo

Full Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2003
Messages
12
Location
Cary, NC
I'm a newbie here and glad I found this sight. ;D I have found a wealth of information but now have a question for anyone who may be able to help. ???

I purchased a set of the Westin "oval" nerf bars as well as the mounting kit for the '03 Avalanche. I received the order promptly from the on-line retailer and eagerly started the "no drill" install in the garage. The front and center frame brackets went on with no trouble, just as designed. (y) However, the rear drew problems. :mad:

The rear bracket is too large and hits the rear brake lines (e-brake I think) to the "inside" (inboard) of the bracket and the "outside" (outboard) of the frame bushing cup (I hope I'm something close to the correct terms), making the install impossible. Anyone else have similar experience?

I'm tempted to return the shipment but I really like the look of the oval bars. I'm also tempted to take the brackets out to someone to modify them to fit but I hate :8: having to spend money on something that I shouldn't have to do. I would do it myself but I'm not sure I have enough tool to take off enough material in order to get it to fit properly.

I probably only need to round a 1/4" off one corner but have to take at least that off the other side which would involve a couple inches, both on the outboard side. It would take some time with a dremel tool, it's too bad I don't have a bench top grinder.

I appreciate any suggestions :0: or directions to point me in. ;D

Thanks,
Bongo
 
You are lucky. I was looking for the Westin Ovals and my local shop can't get them, they are now on backorder. Wish you had pics of them already, I wanted to see how they look and if they are worth the wait. They have a set of chrome Maniks waiting for me.

Sorry I can't help with your install problem since I have never done the install.
 
Bongo said:
? ?

I probably only need to round a 1/4" off one corner but have to take at least that off the other side which would involve a couple inches, both on the outboard side. ?It would take some time with a dremel tool, it's too bad I don't have a bench top grinder. ?

I appreciate any suggestions ?:0: or directions to point me in. ? ;D

Bongo,
Click to expand...

Welcome to the bb. I know how you feel 'cause I went through a similar situation with my Smittybilts.

What part numbers did they send you, the bar# and bracket#?


 
NetManZ71 - The local shop said he could order them but the price was $60 more than I found them on the 'net, plus the offered free shipping. I didn't go for the chrome, got black instead but they do look nice. I'll be sure to post some pics once I get it sorted out.

pedr0 - They sent the #220035 bars (85" black oval) with the #221075 mounting kit for Chev Silv/GMC trucks. I would have assumed that the Suburban would be more compatible but that shows what I know.

I'm going to wait a day and see what responses I get from Westin and the on-line retailer I bought them from. I want to hear from them before I start taking off metal to make them fit.

Thanks for the responses.
 
Bongo said:
pedr0 - They sent the #220035 bars (85" black oval) with the #221075 mounting kit for Chev Silv/GMC trucks. ?I would have assumed that the Suburban would be more compatible but that shows what I know.
Click to expand...

Bongo,

The Westin web site has the 2002-03 Avalanche Black Oval Tube Step as part #220045 and mounting kit as #221175. When you have time, go to:

Westin.com

and double check the info.

Hope this helps.....
 
Yeah, it sounds like you need the correct parts. I tried ordering the ovals today and my local shop said "No way". And AZ truck accessories said they still have backorders from Nov. that Westin hasn't shipped yet. So, I decided to just go with the standard Westin bars. Hopefully, I will have them tomorrow.
 
Yes, all true. They shipped the wrong parts. They can get the mounting kit but the bars are backordered. So it all goes back and I have to either wait or make another choice.

Thanks again for all the feedback.
 
Bongo said:
Yes, all true. ?They shipped the wrong parts. ?They can get the mounting kit but the bars are backordered. ?So it all goes back and I have to either wait or make another choice.

Thanks again for all the feedback.
Click to expand...
Bongo,
That's too bad about the parts.

I had the same thing happen with the Smittybilts. The dealer ordered the wrong part number, and I had a heck of a time trying to figure out why it didn't fit. Then they reordered, and the supplier sent a used pair!

Who did you order the ovals from?
 
Do your installation Instructions say Chevy Avalanche on them? I have the Westin Signiture Series on mine. I put one on before I realized that each bar is side specific. Don't ask me why. They just are. I do not recall the instructions informing me of this. I am working under the assumption that the Ovals are the same as the signiture series. I can tell you this, once they are on you are going to love them. Try switching the nerf bar that does not fit onto the other side of the truck. Also make sure that the front of the Nerf Bar is actually attached to the front of the Truck. Double check that you are using the correct mounting brackets. Front Brackets in the front of Truck Back Brackets are in the back of the truck. So on an so forth!!! I'm sure you know the deal. (y)
 
Powersurge - the ovals are different that "standard" nerf bars and the installation instructions are generic. The brackets are clearly marked front, center, back and I did try either bracket on the back though it was obvious which one goes on each side.

The mounting brackets on the rear don't clear the bushing cup to lay flat against the bushing. Also, the bars they sent are 85" long where the ones for the Avalanche are supposed to be 92".

pedr0 - I ordered them from truckaddons.com. They have been very responsive to the situation and tried to make things right. They were going to drop ship the right mounting kit until he realized the significant difference in the bar length. So, it all goes back, as soon as they issue a call tag.
 
Bongo said:
Powersurge - the ovals are different that "standard" nerf bars and the installation instructions are generic. ?The brackets are clearly marked front, center, back and I did try either bracket on the back though it was obvious which one goes on each side. ?

The mounting brackets on the rear don't clear the bushing cup to lay flat against the bushing. ?Also, the bars they sent are 85" long where the ones for the Avalanche are supposed to be 92". ?

pedr0 - I ordered them from truckaddons.com. ?They have been very responsive to the situation and tried to make things right. ?They were going to drop ship the right mounting kit until he realized the significant difference in the bar length. ?So, it all goes back, as soon as they issue a call tag. ?
Click to expand...


Wow, When I installed mine there was a brief time where I thought they gave me the wrong ones. I was mad. It's the type of mod you can't wait to do since it will significantly impact the way your truck looks. Sorry to hear about this problem. When it all works out you will be very happy with the end product. Did you get the Ovals that match the color of the cladding?

 
Bongo said:
Powersurge - the ovals are different that "standard" nerf bars and the installation instructions are generic. ?The brackets are clearly marked front, center, back and I did try either bracket on the back though it was obvious which one goes on each side. ?

The mounting brackets on the rear don't clear the bushing cup to lay flat against the bushing. ?Also, the bars they sent are 85" long where the ones for the Avalanche are supposed to be 92". ?

pedr0 - I ordered them from truckaddons.com. ?They have been very responsive to the situation and tried to make things right. ?They were going to drop ship the right mounting kit until he realized the significant difference in the bar length. ?So, it all goes back, as soon as they issue a call tag. ?
Click to expand...

Bongo,

Check out the install intsructions for mounting kit 22-1175 on the Westin site.

They show two attachment points, one fore and one aft. It doesn't look like there is a mid point.
 
pedr0 said:
Bongo,

Check out the install intsructions for mounting kit 22-1175 on the Westin site.

They show two attachment points, one fore and one aft. It doesn't look like there is a mid point.
Click to expand...

I guess there are only two mounting points after all. I thought it was part of Westin's design on all their Nerf bars to have 3 mounting points. See my pictures to see the 3 mounting points for my signiture series.

Here is a link to the Installation Instructions. Please note how they say Chevy Avalanche on them.


Installation Instructions
 
According to the Westin site,

you were sent the mouting kit for a Chevy 2500HD and the bars for a Durango or Sport-Trac - no wonder nothing fit. ?:8:

I did look at the instructions for the AV, and it looks like you can customize where the bars are, because the carriage bolts for mounting the bars to the supports, seem to slide in the bar itself, giving a little room for movement - Interesting ?:0:
 
the_wifes_av said:
it looks like you can customize where the bars are, because the carriage bolts for mounting the bars to the supports, seem to slide in the bar itself, giving a little room for movement - Interesting ?:0:
Click to expand...

That a neat concept!!!!

 
Powersurge said:
I have the Westin Signiture Series on mine. I put one on before I realized that each bar is side specific. Don't ask me why. They just are. I do not recall the instructions informing me of this.
Click to expand...

I had the same issue when I put the Westin bars on our AV. Had a neighbor over who just installed a set on his Tahoe, and I asked him is they were side specific. He said his were not.
Well, after I got the front and rear bracket bolted on, I realized he got was more lucky than I, as I put the passenger side bar on the drivers side, and he had started out with the correct one on his first side.
The middle mounting hole on the bar is somewhat off center from the other two, making them side specific on the AV.


Powersurge said:
I guess there are only two mounting points after all. I thought it was part of Westin's design on all their Nerf bars to have 3 mounting points. See my pictures to see the 3 mounting points for my signiture series.
Click to expand...

Powersurge,

if you look at the instructions, it does say that there are 3x brackets for each side of the vehicle both next to the diagram and in the Contentss. I know, it only shows two in the diagram. What were they trying to do, save ink?
My only guess would be, that they wanted to use a generic set of pictures for all of them, and some of the shorter bars only have 2 mounting points.
Actually, I just took a closer look and it appears that the two mounting pieces represent the driver and passenger sides, not the brackets per side - How confusing. :6:

Did someone say that there were only 2 in this kit for the AV?
 
Yes, there are three mounting brackets, the instructions are not very clear.

After I talked with Westin's tech support, telling him what I received, he compared them to what I should have and stated that they are clearly different and I shouldn't try to "mickey mouse" them to fit.

As described, they can be slid along the brackets to find the right place on the truck for your specific preferences. I hope that they can get me a set before I get impatient and buy something else.
 
Bongo, I was wondering if ever got these installed. ' I am looking to buy these for my 2500 and would like some pictures first.

Thanks,
 
rubiconguy - Nope. In fact, I'm still trying to return the ones they sent that won't work. The only way to get a return number is through their website, which I have done 3 times. I finally got one return slip today but I need two in order to get the whole shipment back to truckaddons.com. More email messages and a phone message that never gets returned.

The bars are great and I can't wait to get the right ones to install. This is no fault of Westin's, just the on-line retailer truckaddons.com. They are not on the top of my "go to" list right now.
 
Hi all... I was just about to order some of these from a local peppy store.... They called westin and found that they were back ordered as well. I checked with another retailer that was a little more advanced and the sales person mentioned that Westin was in financial trouble. ??? Anyone else herd this? My only concern would be on warranty issues should they arrise.
 
FogHorn said:
Hi all... I was just about to order some of these from a local peppy store.... They called westin and found that they were back ordered as well. ?I checked with another retailer that was a little more advanced and the sales person mentioned that Westin was in financial trouble. ??? Anyone else herd this? My only concern would be on warranty issues should they arrise.
Click to expand...

I don't know about their financial problems but I question what could possibly go wrong with a peice of steel. I have their Signiture Series Nerfs. They are on and are not going anywhere.
 
I don't know about their financial problems but I question what could possibly go wrong with a peice of steel. I have their Signiture Series Nerfs. They are on and are not going anywhere.

OOps.. I was actually looking at the powder coat bars. My concern wasn't a mechanical one. I'm sure the brackets would be fine. My only concern would be who would I go back to if they started to rust prematurely.
 
I went on the web and found the installation PDFs for both Westin and DeeZee chrome plated, SST nerf bars (see any similarities?).

http://www.deezee.com/RequestInstructions/Instructions/DZ370772.PDF

http://www.westinautomotive.com/pages/Installation Sheets/75-0314.pdf

They sure look the same to me, so I wonder where these bars are actually made. BTW, DeeZee also makes 4" oval chrome plated, SST nerfs, but none listed for an Av.

Well, I'm going with the DeeZee nerfs because I can get them for about 40% less at my local retailer! Hope this is of interest.
 
I ordered my Westins from 4 Wheel Parts and they had trouble getting them too. They kept telling me that Westin was out of stock.
I called Westin directly to get a ETA and they told me that they were in stock and they shipped it out to 4 Wheel Parts the next day.
 
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