Removing Step Rails on 5th gen TE

[Ghetro]

So I have my brand new '14 TE - very stoked - and I'm usually the type to leave my rig pretty much stock (all I did on my last car - an '07 XTerra - was put a Flowmaster 50 on it, which was pretty sick, but still). It came with running boards, which I'm just not a fan of because all I feel like they do is make my pants dirty when I get out at work.

2 questions on this:
1) Is removing the stock boards just a ratchet wrench situation or is there some other binding that I'll have to compete with? Would rather know before I get halfway into it.
2) Anyone in or near Denver interested in the rails themselves? I didn't post on the free/sale sections, but all I would want is enough to get some decent all weather mats (either Toyota's or the Weathertech) - would take either sale or trade.

Thoughts?

 

[rjmckay99]

I removed the rails on my 11' trail without much difficulty. If they have not changed, they are very easy to remove. 10 mins per side, and that was after 1 nasty winter so the bolts were a little stubborn.

Selling them for me was a bigger issue. In Canada all runners come stock with running boards so it's not a sellers market at all. My only hope would be if someone damaged theirs. Your experience may differ with the boards being optional down south (I think)

Overall I am very happy with this simple mod. Improves the look big time IMHO. GF complains about it being harder to get in, but she agrees on the look. My advice, do it and see if you like it. Its very easy to reverse if you don't.

Cheers

 

[ryn996]

PM sent

 

[WODWorldWide]

It's super simple. Do it while the weather is in the 50's and the snow is gone. I was able to sell mine as well at a decent price. Shipping them from fedex ground was $56 I believe.

Welcome to the club and it'll be a great weekend in Denver to start working on the 4R.

 

[tskyyc]

All you need is a wrench.

I took the running boards off my 2011 Limited the first week I had it.... I hated them. They have grip tape around the edge and my wife would scrape her leg on it every time she got out.

It looks better without them anyway.

I didn't attempt to sell mine. They're sitting in my attic.

 

[NoDak]

dont get the toyota ones. i have them and they are not that great compared to the weathertechs i have now.

 

[Tilldain]

I wish i was closer i have been trying to get my hands on a set of Rigid boards since i got mine, didn't want to wait to order my 4r since they had one on the lot with everything but those, just figured i would add them later not knowing how hard they would be to find after. as in its not order-able at all from Toyota.

As for the mats get the weather techs that you will not regret at all. we just had a nasty storm out here in Oregon and they were amazing didnt even worry about kicking the kids shoes off just let them drip. the wrap around edges are great and they are super easy to clean.

 

[Ghetro]

Thanks everyone! I need to do some figuring out with respect to the shipping, but I think - based on the recommendations - that the Weathertech Digitalfits are probably the best way to go. I'll do some checking with Fedex - $56 would be totally reasonable. Is that everywhere in the US?

 

[LandCruiser]

I removed the dealer step rails (faux rock rails) with a ratchet wrench.

Took 10 min per side, and I sold them for 200 bucks to a friend.

 

[NoDak]

Thanks everyone! I need to do some figuring out with respect to the shipping, but I think - based on the recommendations - that the Weathertech Digitalfits are probably the best way to go. I'll do some checking with Fedex - $56 would be totally reasonable. Is that everywhere in the US?

i know when i ordered mine from WT, the shipping was only $18. heck the 1st & 2nd rows and shipping was under $200.

 

[USMCASA]

12mm wrench will get the factory bolts out. I just installed my nfab steps wednesday and they come with 13mm bolts. Super easy install or uninstall whichever you are doing. Might take all of 15min

 

[Tilldain]

12mm wrench will get the factory bolts out. I just installed my nfab steps wednesday and they come with 13mm bolts. Super easy install or uninstall whichever you are doing. Might take all of 15min

IM still trying to figure out of the nfabs will fit on the 14sr5 their site still says trail only on it. but from what i have seen that was mostly due to the skirt issues in the previous years. Has anyone with a sr5 14 tried any of the trail only steps or boards yet?

 

[Ghetro]

Thanks again everyone - the rails came off just as easily as everyone said and it looks fantastic. Now to think about other possible (minor) mods :thumb3:

 

[USMCASA]

IM still trying to figure out of the nfabs will fit on the 14sr5 their site still says trail only on it. but from what i have seen that was mostly due to the skirt issues in the previous years. Has anyone with a sr5 14 tried any of the trail only steps or boards yet?

i believe they sell adapters, which drop the step about 2-3 inches to accommodate the rocker panel skirt. call them up and speak with lance, they should also cut you a deal on shipping if you give them your address. in my case i saved $30.

 

[Tilldain]

i believe they sell adapters, which drop the step about 2-3 inches to accommodate the rocker panel skirt. call them up and speak with lance, they should also cut you a deal on shipping if you give them your address. in my case i saved $30.

not mine as but here is the sides on the 14sr5 i believe they are the same on the TE.

thanks for the advice on talking to lance, i will have to do that it could be that they just have not tested it yet. on a side note the Rigid boards are available on both the sr5 and TE. not sure if they are different mounting or anything.

from the thread that i grabbed the pic from.
As [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION] mentioned, the SR5 looks almost identical to the trail now aside from the hood scoop. The SR5 rocker panels are much tighter to the body, and you will likely not have to do any trimming or removal to install sliders. Also, the front and rear bumper have much more clearance now for approach and departure.