Generally there will be 1 step pad for each door.
In addition to providing 15% more step surface than the competition, Raptor Series step pads are less likely to fail and pop off the step tube. This is because on a “recessed” style pad water can collect and pool under the step pad. In the winter months this pool of water freezes and expands causing the “recessed” step pad to lift and pop off the step bar. Since “saddle” style pads follow the contour of the bar, no water can collect or get between the pad and the tube. This will help ensure you have a solid non slip step pad on your tube for many years.
All of step pads are made of a black impact resistant ABS hard plastic. They are designed to provide a rugged non slip surface for your foot.
Cab length side steps, the most common size, run the length of your truck or SUV's doors. Cab length steps have one or two step pads per side. Wheel-to-wheel models extend back to the rear wheel well, with an extra step for easy truck bed access. Wheel-to-wheel steps have 3 step pads per side.
Raptor Series side step nerf bars and oval tubes can support approximately up to 500lbs. of weight at a time. Thanks to high quality steel strength and factory mounting brackets, products derive some of their holding capacity by mounting to the frame.
Absolutely, they are very simple to install and only require basic hand tools. A typical installation can be completed in less than an hour.
Not on most applications, however, the older Dodge (98-01support brace only) and Ford Explorer (02-05 if replacing factory step boards) do require drilling.
Yes. Every set of Professional Grade nerf bars, oval tubes, bull bars, and bed rails include powder coated brackets, all hardware, and detailed instructions.
No. Brackets are not made of stainless steel. It is the same reason why GM, Ford and Chrysler don’t make stainless steel car and truck frames. It is simply not necessary. All this does is just increase the cost of the overall product. Brackets are made with ¼ inch thick carbon steel and then powder coated. In the rare case that a bracket broke because of rust, they would ship you a replacement bracket for free! They are covered under our lifetime warranty!
Almost all of Raptor Series side steps and oval tubes bolt on to factory mounting points. These mounting points are the automakers approved place for attaching their own factory side steps. They will not void your vehicle's rust warranty.
No. They can be cleaned with mild soap and water and are safe to run through automatic car washes. Raptor Series suggest a coat of wax on products every time you wax your vehicle.
Raptor Series products are made out of a 304 series stainless steel. They are polished to a mirror like finish with our 5 stage polishing process. Chrome nerf bars are dipped into a chemical bath hopefully without impurities and then dried. Stainless steel does not peel, ever. Many customers think products are chrome because of the high lustrous shine!
Raptor Series use T-304 16 gauge steel which has the highest chromium and nickel content of any stainless steel making it the most corrosion-resistant material in the industry. Be careful! Many other brands may use cheaper, different grades of stainless claiming that it will last the life of your vehicle. But in many cases these bars will start to rust only after 8 or 9 short months.
Which is better? Raptor Series black products are E-coated. On a Good-Better-Best quality scale, Paint is Good, Powder Coated is Better and E-Coat is the Best. E-coat is an electrically charged coating like that of powder coating. The improvement is that E-coat is double-dipped for long lasting durability. The tube is first dipped in a pre-treatment Zinc Phosphate cleaner, then an electro coat bath. This removes far more impurities and encapsulates the tube in a phosphate/E-coat finish. The tube is baked in an oven that hardens and cures the protective E-coat finish. The result is a shiny black step tube that can withstand the elements for up to 10 years!
Raptor Series 4 inch and 5 inch oval tubes are designed to fit your vehicle providing a step surface while not interfering with other products, especially mud flaps. Each application is custom designed to fit each vehicle so that factory or aftermarket mud flaps can be installed.
The stainless steel 4 inch and 5 inch Magnum oval tubes have a stainless steel end cap. This end cap is tig welded and ground to a smooth finish. It is then polished using “Super Brite” technology so the end result is a beautiful solid tube of stainless steel. Since E-coat technology will not hold to tig welds, cannot duplicate this with black products as they do with stainless steel products. On the black E-coat oval tubes Raptor Series use a hard impact resistant ABS plastic cap. This is attached by using a high industrial grade super glue like substance so it will never come off. Most competitors and OEM use only one small screw to hold this black cap in place.
This squeaking noise is caused by the brackets rubbing on the frame. The main body mount brackets are not centered correctly on the body mounts. This can be fixed by centering the brackets on the mounting point or by placing 2 washers between the body mount bracket and mounting point. This drops the body mount bracket down far enough from the frame to prevent squeaking.
This could be 1 of 4 reasons.
This question refers to two types of installations:
2002-2008 Dodge Ram 3 Inch Round Step Tubes (see figure below)
2009-2011 Dodge Ram 4", 5" and 6" Oval Tube body mount installation.
For the 3 inch round tube install (part number 0102-0182), this happens because installers tend to tighten one body mount bracket all the way then install the support strap after. Brackets need to be loose as you are doing install. An "installer trick" is to connect all brackets and support straps by hand and tight all bolts and nuts by ratchet after all parts are connected.
The DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) tank is on the passenger side of all 2011 GM diesel trucks and driver side of 2011 Dodge cab and chassis diesel trucks. Raptor Series makes applications that bolt to the body mounts so the DEF tank does not interfere with the installation.