Nerf bars that will not rust

I realize the OP's truck is a 2006. But, I thought I'd mention the Ram OEM bars we just purchased for our 2016 are stainless steel.

If just for looks...then anything can do...even aluminum as it is
just for looks and not for working/doing something

If you use it, then steel would be my recommendation

Chrome on these things are mostly 'ornamental chrome' and has lots to do with
how they spec'd it out

Ornamental chrome generally has the steel lightly buffed, then plated with
a soft metal (very thin layer) that can be buffed out to a mirror finish...then
it is electroplated with a thin layer of chrome

Chrome is the main ingredient of Stain Less steel that makes it stainless...or
not rust easily

Next time you see a bulldozer/backhoe/etc...look at their hydraulic cylinder
rods. They are exposed and most times left outside for their whole life. NO RUST
on them, as they are plated directly to the steel and none of the soft metal
on ornamental chrome

I had Westin on my previous truck. They rusted, but were replaced after 11years under warranty.

boogie_4wheel wrote:
I have Innovative Creations stainless steel on my Dodge. They were already in it when I purchased.
4yrs and 60k miles more in the truck and they still look great.

I had a set of stainless on my last truck as well for over 150k and about 11 years. They were looking good when I sold it. I think they were Westin bars but not sure.

IMO stainless is the only way to go had some Luverne stainless side steps on my previous truck for at least 10 years ,and looked good when sold.

I have Innovative Creations stainless steel on my Dodge. They were already in it when I purchased.
4yrs and 60k miles more in the truck and they still look great.

I had a set of stainless on my last truck as well for over 150k and about 11 years. They were looking good when I sold it. I think they were Westin bars but not sure.

I have some Stainless steel nerfs from Westin that come chrome plated. While they haven't rusted, the chrome is getting little gold-ish spots in it. It's been doing this since it was about 5 y/o. They haven't got any or anything you can feel but I paid extra for their quality and I'm disappointed in them.

On my 2005 I went with these. I went with the ABS Composite because Aluminum and stainless scratch easily. They have a lifetime warranty. I also love them because they actually have a real rubber step pad instead of the slick hard plastic.

chrome Nerf bars

Go aluminum or stainless. I know Raptor makes some stainless with a lifetime warranty. Cant speak to the stainless ones as I opted for black but my black ones fit and finish was very good. I have only had them a month so longevity is far from known
http://www.raptorseries.com/index.php