2008 SE, Why does it have Running Boards instead of Tube Steps?

webby · 2011-09-02T03:35:25+00:00

I'm shopping for a 2008 or 2009 Sport Edition 4WD V8. I found this one online that a dealer has, and have been studying the pics. This doesn't look right to me. Correct me if I'm wrong here, I thought that all 2008-09 SE's should have tube steps from the factory? But as you can see in the pic, this one has running boards. It's a one owner, off lease vehicle, so considering that it was a lease vehicle, I would find it very odd if the previous owner had removed the OEM tube steps and put SR5 or Limited running boards on it. Everything else that I can see in the various pics looks correct -- hood scoop, tube-type roof rack, SE wheels, the black cloth interior that all SE's had, etc. My question is, if it is a true SE of that vintage, wouldn't it have come with the OEM tube steps?