Electric Retractable Running Boards
 

Searched but could not find, so figure I'd ask. Anyone have any experience with electric running boards for their 3G?

Rough Country offers them for 05+ Taco's. Amp Research has a plug and play kit.

Wondering if anyone has blessed their 3G with a set of these. Thanks in advance.

Haven't seen them mentioned on any forum in my short time with a a 3rd Gen (about 4 years). Most people seem to be removing factory running boards and installing rock sliders.

IMO this has to be one of the gayest trends on new cars :shrug: One hit and they're done

Bought first 3rd gen in 2000 been surfing forums since, been mentions of them.
Know people that put them on mall crawlers some came optioned on new vehicles.
They don't hold up to putting 150#'s+ repeatedly let alone any kind of lick.
Pic of linkage using 3/16"-1/4" pins says it all. It yo money.

lame

Read again, those AMP Research kits are universal. There is no plug-n-play option for powered running boards for the 3rd gen.

For less than half the money, you could have ACTUAL protection AND steps for the side of your 4Runner with sliders mounted to the frame. My 3 year old kids could get in and out using the sliders as a step, so unless you have serious mobility issue (which is a possibility), stay away from powered steps... They are expensive, break all the time and not functional as protection off road.

-Charlie

PS. My friend has an AMP Research bike (yes, same company) from the early 90's... now THAT is special. :caked:

I don't think that "most people" are doing that. Most people aren't doing rock crawling with their 4runner but boards like this are populated with people that are more interested in doing that.

Given how I use my 4runner, the factor running board come in handy since I can more easily get items loaded onto the roof. I can't imagine a scenario where I need rock sliders.

Then leave the factory running boards in place? They protect the body and give a good place to step if you are exclusively driving on-road.

-Charlie

OK, I over-generalized. I guess the people who are not doing anything beyond OEM aren't talking about not doing anything on the forums because there isn't much to to say about it leaving the rig stock :)

I do some mid-mild wheeling and like having some protection from the idiot behind the wheel and I live in a city where I can also protect my rocker panels from the idiots I live in the midst of.

I love the look of no boards, especially with a slight lift. My old lady is 5'0" so it feels like removing the boards isn't the best option

I figure they're weak. I don't plan on crawling (gasp!) since it's my daily

Any you can point me to? Just wondering.

wrd

You cant mention the bike without posting a photo!

I don't have any pictures of his, but it is this model:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0c/05...67881a65be.jpg

I think his has a more traditional front fork, but the rear triangle has bonded carbon stays, etc. Obviously for looking at, not so much for riding. ;):

Its a floppy mess compared to a modern full suspension - and it looks like that bike above has been updated to disc instead of rim brakes.

All that is to say, that I found out that AMP Research makes side steps *after* I learned about the bike.

My wife is 5'2" and she had no issues getting in without side steps before I got the sliders - ok, maybe she was a bit annoyed. You will probably want to figure out some sort of front mud flap situation after removing the running boards. I use the rear tire as often as the sliders to access things on the roof, and you can always open the door and stand on the sill too.

-Charlie

@dotinfo "Any you can point me to? Just wondering."

Nah, ones I mentioned was 5+ years ago broke bent or sold.

Mechanical Engr's gone wild 1993, got a chuckle I'd be skeered to ride it. :)
Don't know the story of the bike though.

I remember those bikes from my early days of MTBing. They were made from unobtainium as far as I was concerned. Modern bikes destroy the crazy stuff we rode back then. I had heard it was the same company that had shifted gears and gone in a different direction.....