Nerf Bars, Running Boards, and Rock Sliders. What's the Difference?
![smittybilt rock sliders for jeeps](https://www.morris4x4center.com/media/wysiwyg/SMB76644-Smittybilt-Jeep-Wr.jpg)
When it comes to adding an accessory to your Jeep, the Nerf Bars, Side Steps, Running Boards, and Rock Sliders are some of the most popular upgrades. Which one you use depends on what you're doing with your Jeep. Each of these is different, and sometimes they're a combination of the two, but planning ahead will get you the right setup for your kind of driving and the look you're going for. Let's start with the old favorite, the Nerf Bar. I'm not sure where the word Nerf came from as far as using them for the bars. The Nerf toys are typically a soft throwing product, but not meant to be harmful. The actual idea of the bars comes from racing. Usually an open wheel car, such as a midget or dirt track car. Nerf bars where used to prevent other race car's tires from getting caught between the front and rear tires. They didn't have to be particularly thick like the ones we're using on trucks and Jeeps today. It was merely a safety precaution. Just enough to bump a competitors tire away from getting the two cars into serious trouble. From there, in the 1970's (possible the 1960's), pickup truck owners started fabricating their own "Nerf Bars" for much the same purpose. Bolted to the frame, a simple tubular bar with a bend at each end would suffice between the front and rear tires / axles. They were easy to make, and easy to install. From there, they morphed into a more practical product as a step, so that you could now get into your lifted trucks. Lifted trucks have been around since there have been pickups, but the whole idea didn't grow into a serious niche business till around the time Bob Chandler built his Bigfoot and brought high lifted trucks in to the public's eye. Your average "Old Style" Tube Nerf Bar usually bolts the frame, underneath the body. Modern Nerf Bars may have a step incorporated into them, or a textured surface to give your shoes more grip. For instance, N-Fab combines features to make a "Nerf Step".
![Nerf hoop Steps for jeeps](https://www.morris4x4center.com/media/wysiwyg/Nerf-Step.jpg)
![poison spyder Rocker Knockers for jeeps](https://www.morris4x4center.com/media/wysiwyg/Rocker-Knokers.jpg)
![Hoop Steps for jeeps](https://www.morris4x4center.com/media/wysiwyg/Hoop-Steps.jpg)
Above Image: Traditional Hoop Steps. Most of these bolt to the underside of the body, but some have braces that can mount to the frame. There are also some other choices to add between your wheels under the doors, such as Hoop Steps. You see a lot of those on the older CJ's, though they're not as popular as they were back in the 70's or 80's. Sometimes a Side Step will be called a "Running Board", though they barely meet the real description of what a running board is. Running Boards are a product of the old 30's and 40's cars, where you could literally run along side a car, grab the door handle or something else, and jump up on the board between the wheel fenders. (Think Keystone Cops for instance). Custom Vans later had running boards a lot too, but by then, they were used as a step to help get into the high seats that vans usually had. Running Boards usually have a step that runs the full length, from wheel to wheel, rather than just a foot "pad". Above Image: This is an example of Rampage's Patriot Aluminum Running Boards. Note that they incorporate the features of a Nerf Bar, Side Step, and Running Board all in one. Running Boards on a truck or Jeep? They function more as a step than anything else, but tend to be more decorative than a standard Side Step or Nerf Bar. Or they end up a combination, with the same attributes as other bar accessories. Above Image: The Powerboards, by Bestop, are primarily an electric Side Step. They install / connect to both the body and the frame for stability and function. Then there are the luxury Bestop Powerboards. These boards typically extend out only when the doors are open to give you a foothold ,and make it easier to step into the vehicle. Once the doors are closed, they retract, so they're out of site (for a better appearance), and can give you more ground clearance. Maybe even better aerodynamics (which leads to fuel savings). While they may seem like just a fancy step, they are usually built with top notch engineering and materials, so they're durable and a high quality product. We also carry PowerStep Running Boards by AMP. As you can see, you have plenty of options of products to mount on the side of your truck or Jeep. They go by different names, but many of them are essentially the same idea. Providing you with side protection, or a step to help you get into your Jeep or truck, or combinations of all of them. The things is, are you looking for something tough? or decorative? or custom? Is your Jeep an off road animal or a casual cruiser? Whatever your style, the Morris 4X4 Center has just want to you need to make your Jeep the vehicle you want to drive. Nerf Bars, Rock Sliders, Side Steps, Running Boards, Hoop Steps, we carry them all ! See you on the trails! Social Media: Read More: