Rigid running boards, better or worse than no protection?

[KGcobra]

I have a 2014 Trail with the rigid running boards. I know that the running boards are not rock rails or sliders and don't offer the protection. My question is can it cause more damage to have them installed than nothing at all? (If the running board takes a hit will it do more vehicle damage than if there was nothing installed?, or maybe act as of a bit of buffer?) I'm trying to decide if I should take them off temporarily.
Thanks

 

[gm350reratliff]

I would guess they would offer some protection. At least they will keep the rocks from your tires off the paint.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

All factory running boards for Toyotas, with the exception of the FJ Cruiser Semi-Sliders (I call them semi because they bolt through one side of the frame rail and I cannot see them offering even a 1/3 the capability of wrap-around bolt-on sliders like my CBIs or SW ones) bolt to the body of all our Toyota models.

The running board bolts to the bottom of the body with brackets, given enough pressure/force they could possibly rip holes in the body and/or push into the body itself. Not to mention if they taco against the body it could cause issues (I don't remember if they can taco enough to prevent opening doors.

They can protect the vehicle from light nicks and dings, but they won't last long on a decent trail, my 4th gen running boards were absolutely ruined after the first venture off-roading (I had to jump on them to peel them away from the body), but thankfully the way the 4th gen body was designed (in terms of not really having side skirts like the 5th gens seem to have) the damage was mainly to the running boards and the brackets didn't rip out of the body or damage the floorpan (thankfully since they were badly mangled.)

So to answer your question, it depends on what you hit with them really...

 

[LandCruiser]

Rock sliders are bolted/welded to the frame. They are supposed to handle some if not most of the vehicle's weight as it slides over rocks and stumps.

The most a running board is designed to take is a door ding or a fat american.

 

[Jeremy556]

My question is can it cause more damage to have them installed than nothing at all? (If the running board takes a hit will it do more vehicle damage than if there was nothing installed?, or maybe act as of a bit of buffer?)

Yes, it can. It could go either way, depends on what and how you hit. Personally, I would take increased clearance over dubious protection.

Why not get rock sliders?

 

[KGcobra]

They can protect the vehicle from light nicks and dings, but they won't last long on a decent trail, my 4th gen running boards were absolutely ruined after the first venture off-roading (I had to jump on them to peel them away from the body), but thankfully the way the 4th gen body was designed (in terms of not really having side skirts like the 5th gens seem to have) the damage was mainly to the running boards and the brackets didn't rip out of the body or damage the floorpan (thankfully since they were badly mangled.)

So to answer your question, it depends on what you hit with them really...

Kind of what I figured, if it's a matter of getting trashed running boards vs trashed body work then I would rather sacrifice the running boards.

 

[KGcobra]

Yes, it can. It could go either way, depends on what and how you hit. Personally, I would take increased clearance over dubious protection.

Why not get rock sliders?

My 4runner came with the running boards from the factory. Maybe down the line I'll pick up sliders, not a huge priority for me right now.

 

[cacarbuff]

I have a 4th gen and not a 5th gen, but I left mine on intentionally until I could get sliders because I would rather destroy the cheap plastic running boards than dent or damage the body of my truck. Despite being bolted to the body, they can take a beating and protect the body a bit. They will get ruined though...