Dee Zee Running Boards: Quality Control Problems

[00Jay]

Received my Dee Zee boards yesterday!

Opened first box which contained the actual running boards:

Notice the bummed/blunted ends. The packaging of these boards did not include any bubble wrapping or styrofoam peanuts. I'm not sure if the ends were damaged during shipping or if they were made at the Dee Zee shop that way.

Here's a shot of the other running board end.

Another botched end piece.

On to the second box which contained the mounting brackets.

These things were packed without any wrapping too. When I inspected each piece, I could see small scratches where mounts had rubbed against each other during shipping.

I decided to go ahead with installation, especially since we were going to head to the airport the next day (today) to pick up some family members. Installation took about an hour and was relatively simple. One thing to note (and Ill post pictures later) is that the boards stick out into the rear wheel by about an 1" or 1 1/2". They look good, but I was a little surprised that they did not align with the length of the side.

 

[00Jay]

Reserved for linking to other posts in this forum who have encountered QC issues with Dee Zee boards.

Link 1: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...tion-running-boards-please-5.html#post1110865 - Ends banged up.

Link 2: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/110289-dee-zee-runningboard-problem.html Rivets messed up.

Link 3: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...tion-running-boards-please-4.html#post1110165 - Ends banged up.

Link 4: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2936636&postcount=39 - Ends banged up.

Link 5: http://www.acadiaforum.net/forum/index.php?topic=7572.0 Rivets messed up.

Link 6: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2949451&postcount=50 Sheared off rivets.

Link 7: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2950454&postcount=52 "There was some minor scraping on the ends of the boards on the ruptured end of the box. The rivets also look like they might be steel as opposed to aluminum as well."

Link 8: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2960819&postcount=66 "My running boards arrived yesterday and the packaging was very very poor. One end was completely wide opened that when i tilted the package the boards came out. One of the running boards was dented at the very end."

 

[clin9383]

Yea, Mine were beat up as well and I still have not heard back from the vendor. I am about to leave for travel in 2 weeks, so I will probably just install these and file a complaint and put negative reviews about the vendor since they are not replying to my emails or calls.

 

[Bay33saw]

Thats a shame that the vendor is not properly packing the running boards, and the comment you made about them not lining up with the rear is making me think twice about buying these.

 

[Boaz]

Thats a shame that the vendor is not properly packing the running boards, and the comment you made about them not lining up with the rear is making me think twice about buying these.

My guess is they are drop shipping these from DeeZee. Mine were a little beat up but again like everyone else, I needed to get these installed. My prego short wife and daughter were complaining every time they stepped up into the runner.

 

[Qjake]

Have you shared your issue with the manufacturer or the dealer you bought them from??

As for sticking out into the rear wheel well, do you have the OEM mudflap?? If so trim the front.

 

[00Jay]

I have sent an email via Amazon (Sold through Dee Zee on Amazon) but it's the weekend so I don't expect to hear back until Monday.

Does the title of the thread sound a bit negative? I've noticed that there have been quite a few posts in different threads (and now 2 on here) about blunted Dee Zee ends.

No OEM mudflap. I've seen others mention trimming the front or rear of them, but for $350 for a pair of these, I don't think it's something you should have to do.

Note the Dee Zee boards on this 2010 SR5 on YouTube:

DeeZee Running Board Installation - 2012 Toyota 4Runner - etrailer.com - YouTube

Thats exactly what mine look like, with the board sticking 1.5-2" into the rear wheel well. Maybe that's how Dee Zee intended them to be so that they could compensate for mudflaps on the front. Not really my chief complaint about these boards...it's their shipping/packaging that isn't up to quality.

Have you shared your issue with the manufacturer or the dealer you bought them from??

As for sticking out into the rear wheel well, do you have the OEM mudflap?? If so trim the front.

 

[clin9383]

Mine are pretty flush if you ask me. I don't have mudflaps and basically just slide mine to match as close to the wheel wells as possible

<a href="http://s969.photobucket.com/albums/ae179/clin9383/?action=view&current=side.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae179/clin9383/side.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s969.photobucket.com/albums/ae179/clin9383/?action=view&current=rear.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae179/clin9383/rear.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s969.photobucket.com/albums/ae179/clin9383/?action=view&current=front.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae179/clin9383/front.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[00Jay]

Mine are pretty flush if you ask me. I don't have mudflaps and basically just slide mine to match as close to the wheel wells as possible

Those align perfect. I tried to slide mine, but they wouldn't go any further than where they're at now.

 

[clin9383]

hmm, how did you mount your brackets? there is a bit of play when you mount them to slide forward and backwards..if your mounts are near the rear i'd think you could try to slide your brackets forward a bit and it may even out. just a thought. good luck

 

[Boaz]

I had to play with my brackets a bit to get them to look straight. Tip: the lower part of the bracket (where the board meets the bracket) is where I adjusted them to look straight. The lip of the board "cowling" will be UNDER the lip of the metal bracket. I hope that makes sense, it is difficult to describe.

 

[Qjake]

Any word back from DeeZee on this?? Just curious.

 

[Bay33saw]

Any word back from DeeZee on this?? Just curious.

I emailed them last week and no reply yet.

 

[00Jay]

I emailed them last week and no reply yet.

Same here.

 

[Bay33saw]

Bumping this post to see if anyone has heard back from DeeZee yet? I haven't.

 

[limamike]

https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started

 

[00Jay]

Bumping this post to see if anyone has heard back from DeeZee yet? I haven't.

I haven't either.

 

[Bay33saw]

https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started

Limamike, thanks for posting that, I haven't bought any DeeZee running boards yet, maybe some of the members on here who have bought them can file a complaint.

Could I still post something even though I have not bought anything from them???

 

[limamike]

Limamike, thanks for posting that, I haven't bought any DeeZee running boards yet, maybe some of the members on here who have bought them can file a complaint.

Could I still post something even though I have not bought anything from them???

You certainly *could*, but I doubt it would go anywhere. They have specific categories of complaints and require information about the transaction/interaction you're complaining about. I filed a complaint yesterday on a company and received a response 10 minutes ago that it had been sent to the corporation for action.

 

[Bay33saw]

OK I finally pulled the trigger on some DeeZee running boards, HOPEFULLY they will get to me in good condition and not be banged up like some other on here have got.
Will keep you guys posted on the outcome.