Since buying this Toyota Tacoma, I’ve felt that the sides of the truck looked a bit bare and lacking. The obvious answer was to pick up a pair of sides steps and that’s just what I did. After some research, I decided on the Tyger Auto Star Armor Nerf Bars. The are just about as tough as it gets without going to full blown rock sliders.
For those interested in installing side steps on the 3rd gen. Tacomas, it is extremely straightforward. Under the Tacoma, near the outer edges of the doors, you’ll see what looks like plastic screws. If we take a screwdriver to these, they’ll reveal the pre-tapped threading in the truck’s body which is where the side steps will be attached to. There are 6 of these caps in total to be removed per side.
Once the plastic caps are removed, it’s just a matter of raising the nerf bars up and mounting them with the included hardware. Other nerf bars typically come in two main pieces, the brackets that attach to the truck and the actual bars, which attach to the brackets. These are easier to install because you can install the individual parts one piece at a time. The Tyger Star Armor nerf bars’ parts are all welded together, making one solid structure. This makes them slightly harder to install because it can be difficult to lift and bolt them in place by yourself. You may want to find something to prop them up with or find some help.
Once all 6 bolts are in place, you’re done and all there is to do is repeat on the other side.
I installed the Tyger Star Armor Nerf Bars on my 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport. According to the manufacturer, these should fit all double cab Tacomas from 2005-2019. They also make an access cab version if that’s what you need.
These Tyger nerf bars feature a rust resistant E-coating textured black finish. This is definitely different from the other options on the market. Typically, it’s a lot of black or chrome with the other options. Although the Star Armor is black, the textured finish helps to differentiate the aesthetic.
At both ends of the bars are sealed end caps to keep dirt and water out. I’m actually a bit disappointed by this. I would’ve preferred to have welded metal end caps. I think that this would’ve been more secure and durable but what do I know. Maybe the plastic caps are the better way to go.
Then, of course, we can’t talk about these nerf bars without talking about the patented laser cut star armor step pad design. I have to be honest, I was holding off on buying these for some time. I knew that they’d work great but the step pad was preventing me from buying them. This is for two reason. One, this pad has no anti slip rubber like other nerf bars. These nerf bars are just pure metal and I have a feeling that on a wet day, they are going to get slippery. My second problem with the step pad is just how it looks. This laser cut design is just so in your face and, in my opinion, a bit gaudy. Had Tyger just went with a solid metal pad or a more simple design, I would’ve bought these in a heartbeat and there are others who feel the same based on some of the reviews that I’ve seen. If you share either of these concerns and still want these nerf bars, then I have the perfect mod for you. I found a product and it is essentially a self-adhesive anti-slip rubber mat. People use these on stairs, tiles, really anywhere that’s slippery. These pads come in various sizes so all we have to do is cut them to shape and stick it on top of the nerf bars and boom, killed two birds with one stone. I would suggest getting the 12” x 12” pad because it is a better value. However, if you want a little less cutting work, buy the 4” variations as this width is perfect for the step pad.
Overall, I would say that these nerf bars look great on the truck. They give you a different look than the other options on the market. They look so mean. Traditional nerf bars just give you a single tube whereas here, we have multiple tubes welded together to create one single structure. Because of their construction, these nerf bars are actually more robust and have a weight capacity of 500 lbs per side. This product is really like a toned down rock slider.
What I really like about these nerf bars and one of my main reason for buying them is the width. Manufacturer specs say that we get 6.44 inches from edge to edge. I was looking for something wider because to me, aside from making the truck look better and allowing you to get in and out easier, nerf bars can provide a form of protection against side impacts. Imagine you’re in a parking lot and someone opens their door, slamming into your car. Just the worst. But with some wider nerf bars, you have a chance of the doors slamming into the bars and away from the finish. These were the widest nerf bars that I could find and they’re looking like they’ll be pretty protective but only time will tell.
And there you have it, the Tyger Star Armor nerf bars for the Toyota Tacoma. A great product that I do not mind recommending.
If you're considering on buying any of the products mentioned, please support my work by using the links below.
Tyger Auto TG-AM2T20048 Star Armor Nerf Bars for Toyota Tacoma 2005-2019 Double Cab https://amzn.to/2Zzwx6N
Tyger Auto TG-AM2T20188 Star Armor Kit for 2005-2019 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab https://amzn.to/2LdPwvZ
17 in. x 4 in. Self-Adhesive Rubber Safety Mat with Tread Surface https://amzn.to/2NHyB6p
12" X 12" Self-Adhesive Rubber Safety Step Mat Non-Slip https://amzn.to/2MMHeNp
Want to support my work?
Consider visiting the shop and buying "Absolutely Nothing" https://www.HaiHoangTran.com/shop/absolutely-nothing
or
Become a Patron!
https://www.patreon.com/HaiHoangTran
or