Mawgie (new 5th Gen Owner): 1st Post, and it's a MOD write up!

[Mawgie]

Ionic Running Board DIY by Mawgie (new owner): 1st Post, and it's a MOD write up!

Folks-

I just picked up a used 5th Generation T4R. Mine is a 2013 SR5 Premium, everything (I think) but the JBL system: leather, parking sensors, sunroof, heated seats, etc. I traded out of a 2010 Hemi Ram, and am very much still getting used to this sub-compact. I also REALLY miss the many, many horses on tap under the hood of the Dodge. Overall, though, the new rig is great. (I would have paid more for a used GX470, but I simply could not stand the side opening rear door design: the one where one steps into the flow of traffic, then opens the door....)

Anyway, I needed to add running boards on the hurry up to accommadate the needs of some of the folks who regulalry ride ShoGun in my T4R. Search was my friend. The mission is a wide step for ingress and egress. After that, minimize the lame, old guy look.

Search was my friend. I did not like the DeeZee design that leaves the ends of the running boards looking chopsawed without even a plug. That, plus the shipping damage horror stories sent me elsewhere.

I went with Ionics. I paid $319 shipped. I installed them. I am happy. Let's take a look at my install......

To begin, here is the box. Note the awesomeness of the factory packaging.

 

[Mawgie]

The Ionic running board design includes a rubber skirt that closes the gap between the rocker panel and the top of the running board. I bought a 4" x 78" roll of 3M Paint Protection film on ebay, about $22 shipped. Cut that into (2) 2" wide stripes and apply it to carefully cleaned rocker panels so the running board skirt doesn't wear paint. (Admittedly, this is overkill. Where the running board skirt touches the rocker is well out of sight.)

Here's the 3M film

 

[Mawgie]

Check out this factory packaging. Everything arrived in 100% flawless condition. Exceptionally well packed.

 

[Mawgie]

The running boards are a no cut and no drill design. They attach to the truck in the factory holes where the rocker panels are bolted into the truck. (Remove factory rocker bots, add running board bracket and Ionic supplied bolts.) The brackets are beefy.

 

[Mawgie]

Hardware count was correct......

 

[Mawgie]

Here are some pictures of the underside of the running board. They are nicely made. The step is a little less than 6" wide. You can see how T-nuts are fitted into the running boar channels. the t-nuts, in turn, bolt onto the brackets attached to the truck at the rocker bolt points.

 

[Mawgie]

Here are pictures of the brackets going onto the truck. Very straightforward. 3 brackets a side.

 

[Mawgie]

Almost home..........Hey, Diesel (my Labrador Retriever)! Get back here with that 3m stuff!

 

[Mawgie]

Sa-Weet!

 

[Mawgie]

The running boards have roughly an inch of adjustment in width. I have them pulled out as far as they will go. As for width, check it out........

 

[Mawgie]

In summary, I am very pleased with Ionic quality, price, shipping, and ease of installation. Functionally, they give enough step so you can actually get a foot on them. Aesthetically, they don't look bad to me at all. At $319 shipped, I would buy them again in a second. If anyone has any specific inquiries, requests for add'l photos, autographed picture of my dog, please let me know. Happy to help out....

 

[swimmerdude1127]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Stifler]

welcome. I have the same boards, but mine came with the rubber flap installed on them. Interesting

 

[Mawgie]

Thanks swimmerdude. I have been reading alot, and have a roof rack delete and first Mobil1 oil change coming up. This Forum is great.

 

[Mawgie]

Stifler- I think mine also have the factory flap installed.... (See the pictures in post #9 above....)