Empi VW nerf bars

I can't find a good picture of the bottom of the bar to find out, but I would like to use these on a project, but I need to know, are they solid or hollow?

I don't know for sure if they were EMPI, but I had a pair just like that on my '71 Super Beetle.  I'm almost certain that they were solid.  Sold the car about 20 years ago.

Curious... why does it matter?

We only put them on to meet the letter of the law back in the 70s.

If some jacked up coal burner rear ends you, they won't matter.  Just saying.

because I am not going to be using them as bumper(ettes) but as steps

The Empi catalog refers to them as "Chrome tube nerf bars", if they are tube that infers they are hollow.  http://v1.empius.com/vwcatalogsite/vwcatalog/2018/357.html  You could always call them to find out.  (800) 666-3674.

Shoot.  If they're hollow, they need to call them "Nerf Tubes."

To stiffen them up for steps could you fill them with lead?

914Driver said:

To stiffen them up for steps could you fill them with lead?

Packing them with mortar would be lighter and stronger!

I would be more worried about that bar stock bracket than if they were tubing.

But yeah, that's a tube with a cap on one end.     They've been called "nerf bars" forever, so calling them something else would really make it difficult for people looking for them online.

was a good try,  I was planning on using them sideways on my boat trailer to both protect the trailing edge of the fenders and as a step up into the boat.  If they are hollow, they will hold water and probably not hold my weight.  I guess this explains why they do not show the "flat" end of the bar in pictures.

In reply to mad_machine (Forum Supporter) :

That would look cool, but those things only really have strength in one plane.

Turn them sideways and step on them and they will bend or break.

You could make your own and chrome them.

Stainless steel and polish it up? 

I made some for the front of the Dodge.