N-Fab Nerf Bars 5th Gen 4Runner Review

After three years of use, the N-Fab Bars have proven to be reliable. We purchased our 2014 Trail 4Runner in August 2014, and by August 2017, the Nerf Bars had held up through all seasons, performing well both on and off-road. They’ve taken a few hits from rocks and served as a solid stepping platform for getting in and out of the 4Runner. These affordable, durable Nerf Bars are a great mod, and I would highly recommend them.

For around $350, these N-Fab bars are a great value. After three years of use, they’ve been a reliable addition to the 4Runner, serving both as steps and light-duty sliders. While they are not built to withstand the abuse of traditional rock sliders, they offer a solid, one-piece design and are a straightforward bolt-on replacement for factory running boards. If you’re looking for a step that can handle occasional off-road bumps, these bars are well worth it.

Find it online: 

• N-Fab Nerf Bar Running Boards: Check Price

Durability (Wear and Tear)

Over three years, these Nerf Bars have withstood a true test, from sandy beaches in Big Sur to the eastern Sierra Mountains and Mount Shasta Winters. They’ve handled over 1,000 days of stomping boots, with just a small scuff mark to show for it. Plus, N-Fab offers a Lifetime Warranty and a 5-Year Finish Warranty, meaning we could get a full powder coat replenished if needed.

Despite multiple humps and dips, the bars have stayed straight and have provided excellent durability. It’s no surprise that Toyota includes these steps on their Trail and TRD models. If you’re questioning their durability, don’t.

Functionality & Performance

The N-Fab bars are a bit of a grey area when it comes to rock sliders:

• Will the actual steps hold up against rocks? Not made for it, but they have taken some hits.
• Do they bend easily? They’ve taken dents but no bending.
• Do they fade over time? Not yet, even after three years.
• Are they good for kids? Kid-tested and father-approved.
• Are they good for women with heels? Not so much.
• Are they good for kicking mud and snow off your feet? Absolutely.

These bars are a great value for most owners, offering affordability and good performance for the price range.

Top Features of the N-Fab Nerf Steps:

• Made in the USA
• Bolt-on, no flex
• Positioned high and tight for better fitment

If you’re doing light off-roading like occasional fire roads, these are a solid choice. But, for serious rock crawling like the Rubicon or Fordyce, the N-Fab bars aren’t suitable. For most other uses, they work well as steps and running boards, but they’re not built for heavy-duty rock crawling.

Nerf Bars Vs. Others

There are so many other options out there for Nerf Bars and rock sliders. The difference between the N-Fab bars and most premium rock sliders out there is the fabrication quality itself.

While the premium rock sliders are fabricated to withstand serious abuse, your everyday average nerf bars are not. But, the N-Fab is still top of the line in the nerf bar category.

Other Options for Nerf Bars and Running Boards

• N-Fab Nerf Bar $340
• Westin Black Pro Traxx 4 Oval Step Bar $200
• Tyger Auto Nerf Bars $225
• Tyger Auto Running Boards $129

Your choice for a rock slider in this category must mean that you are looking to do some serious off-roading or you at least want to be ready when the time comes.

All of the premium rock sliders for the 5th Gen 4Runner below are designed to perform incredibly well off-road. Overall the N-Fab bars are still a great option off-road.

We have had them on our 4Runner for over three years, and they are still going strong. At $340, the only reason you wouldn’t buy these is that of looks.

Other Shots

A little Inspiration for you. They really are pretty cool. These are going to end up going on my girls 4Runner. I will be replacing these with the C4 Fab sliders that came in at over $1000 after everything said and done.

I am kinda sad to see them go but at least they will stay in the family. If you are making the jump to a set of real rock sliders, expect to pay over $1000 for a good set.