Can the OEM retractable running boards be installed after purchase?
- Thread starter jimmiem
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gshadow325
New member
Physically, anyone can install them at any point. It just takes enough time and money to piece together the entire parts list since it is not grouped together into any type of package deal. The sum of the parts is far greater from Toyota than the option package price from Toyota.
fattire
New member
I pulled mine off a few weeks ago. There are two issues if they don't come from the factory.
First is the physical mounting hardware. The main mount points are two body-mount style bolts that come through the body from inside the vehicle. Assuming the topside is accessible, you'd have to pull a lot of the interior out to get them in (if they're even available).
Second is the wiring. The power and switch are in the factory wiring harness. I think we all know what that means from a retro perspective.
That being said, the rockers, power boards and motors are all one unit. If you can figure out the mounting and electrical (so, like, all of it. LOL!) it would be straight forward.
PS - I still have the boards if anyone wants them. Rockers are scratched to hell but everything works. You should be able to swap the rockers easy.
First is the physical mounting hardware. The main mount points are two body-mount style bolts that come through the body from inside the vehicle. Assuming the topside is accessible, you'd have to pull a lot of the interior out to get them in (if they're even available).
Second is the wiring. The power and switch are in the factory wiring harness. I think we all know what that means from a retro perspective.
That being said, the rockers, power boards and motors are all one unit. If you can figure out the mounting and electrical (so, like, all of it. LOL!) it would be straight forward.
PS - I still have the boards if anyone wants them. Rockers are scratched to hell but everything works. You should be able to swap the rockers easy.
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
He is no worse than me. I paid for the 3rd row seats and took them out.
gshadow325
New member
i dont know what it is about people in general with late model cars. is it because there is a car payment that nothing can be modified?
1: if its on a vehicle delivered from the factory, there will be a prt number and it will be available. factory will not be making a chassis just to fit power boards. it will be a pre-existing hole or spot that will be found on base model to top model
2: wiring is all relative to your skill set and knowledge. We all know what that means. Actually i dont know what that means at all. I know i can install it and wire it up if the job came in thru my door.
3: that being said. it will be like all the other power boards that are out there. it will clamp and bolt onto the frame rails. it will be ties into the door pin circuit. you can buy that oem switch and i can wire it to turn off the power steps.
Its that easy. complicated part is owners with fear of the dealership voiding your warranty and owners with dealership blinders on.
gshadow325
New member
how you figure?
dont you have to buy a loaded up limited to get the option for power boards?
thats a $45k vehicle, what if i wanted a sr5 with power boards and dont want all the other etunes and leather and kdss? for $30k? so a $1500 option is much better choice
TravelWest01
New member
I am taking mine off to put sliders on. Is there a market for used power running boards complete with LE trim?
It's a $1500 option if you tick the box. Admittedly, the $1500 is on top of the Limited upcharge from the SR5, but it's not like the Limited only gets you the option of choosing the power steps. Regardless, the parts needed will probably be in excess of $2000 if you add them up from Toyota's individual parts lists.
I'd wait for the AMP Research version since that will be priced as a kit and include everything you need. I'm on the fence about power steps for durability reasons, but they're very slick in operation. I had them on an Escalade and loved them. I even thought about taking a Tacoma or Tundra one and making it work. My concern is what to do if they seize up from dirt, salt, etc. Would make it nearly impossible for the wife to climb in. I'm not sure if I'd want to deal with that in the middle of winter.
fattire
New member
I don't want to speak out of turn for anyone's particular situation, but since you brought it up out of nowhere...a car payment could have everything to do with it. For many folks on this board, a car payment and expensive modifications are mutually exclusive items. Others, like myself, are cheap b@stards that only pay cash for stuff and just prefer living without debt. To each his own. Now, back on topic...
1: I haven't done the homework to know if it's something available. I would suspect that due to the relative rarity of this option to begin with, it's only going to be available from a dealership and will be expensive as hell. mdogg quoted it as a $1,500 option. I had no idea it was that much(!). I do know that the mounting points are not on the frame (see #3 below). Additionally, all the wiring for the factory option runs inside the body as well and comes out through the floor-boards (as opposed to running along the frame rails; admittedly a nice touch).
2: Agreed. The wiring would be pretty easy, just time consuming. I paid my dues installing high-end car audio 20 years ago; I've got better things to do now. LOL!
3: The factory power boards do NOT mount to the frame in any way, shape, or form. They don't even touch the frame at any point in their operation (either retracted or extended). This is a pretty significant difference between them and the aftermarket. The factory boards mount to two bolts (per side) that extend through the body from the inside. I suspect the main reason for this is XREAS on the LTD and the difficulty of mounting the electric motor and the board itself in and among the XREAS reservoir and tubing that runs along the out-board side of the frame rails on the LTDs. It's just crowded out there. I can't speak to the aftermarket, but assume you're correct there. It's definitely the easy way to do it, and would be quite solid.
I agree with the FUD around dealerships and warranty. Unfortunately, there' just too much variance from one dealer to the next on how any one will treat any given modification. I'm lucky to have a good one by me, but don't really weigh the warranty into my decisions (outside of the power train anyway). If something breaks, it's usually more cost effective to go aftermarket and get a higher quality or upgraded part at the same or lower cost (ignoring labor if you can't do it yourself).
I'll grab some photos of the mounting points and such when I get home this evening. Hopefully, my sliders don't interfere with the view too much. With the interest here, I figure it will be helpful.
all the power boards I have seen mouth to the body
fattire
New member
I haven't looked into this myself, but find that interesting. Why do you think they all mount to the body as opposed to the frame? I would think the frame would be easier and more sturdy with almost zero exception. (Ignoring the swarm of unibody SUVs out there today.)
gshadow325
New member
foot in mouth more like it, instead of mouth to body.
i meant mount to the body. it usually clamps onto the rails, meaning body seam rails that run along the length of the truck.
I wrote the wrong thing but meant that...i have installed a few and yes they almost all cramp onto the body seam/rail. they tuck up when retracted.
they would not mount to the frame. since the frame is not always 100% in the same spot, but the body always is.
look at these directions for a dodge ram and you will get the idea of how they install.
btw- these were always aftermarket items that went into the dealership. just like car play coming to new cars. its a aftermarket thing gone mainstream
http://amp-research.com/wp-content/files/75138_PS_DODGE_RAM_2009_Rev_B.pdf
danielshumate7
Banned
Try if Eva still has the item available for sale. I got mine from her weeks ago and it was in good condition. You can reach her at [email protected]
