Running Board Removal Advice?

[xStePheNyz]

i was thinking of taking of my running boards to see how it looks. 2001 model. I have seen numerous threads of polls related to this issue but none which discuss the removal process. A look under revealed that there are 3 black brackets on each side that need to come off. The middle and rear don't look like an issue, but it appears as if one of the bolts on the front bracket is riveted on, as in, there is like no head to unscrew.

As many of you have done this procedure, perhaps someone would care to share advice about the removal of the running boards?

 

[LINY4Runner]

I don't remember having any of mine riveted it...and those are big holes so it would have to be a freakin' HUGE rivet...Look around, maybe it unbolts from a different spot?

 

[manhunter]

I removed mine from my 2002. If I recall, it seems that there is one bolt on the front that screws into the running board from the wheel well side, or from that direction. I remember that being something I also had to figure out. See if you can access the head of the bold from the fender or wheel well side of the running board. I just shipped mine off to a buyer, or I would go look at them removed to double-check. Once I figured it out though, it was a piece of cake. You will like the looks with them off much better, and they are more suitable obviously for any offroading with them off.

 

[Ham Sammich]

Lol....funny you should bring this up...I was pulling mine off last night....Mine were so thoroughly rusted, I lost patience and pulled out the plasma torch....sliders look better to me anyways...

 

[GOTBOOST]

i was thinking of taking of my running boards to see how it looks. 2001 model. I have seen numerous threads of polls related to this issue but none which discuss the removal process. A look under revealed that there are 3 black brackets on each side that need to come off. The middle and rear don't look like an issue, but it appears as if one of the bolts on the front bracket is riveted on, as in, there is like no head to unscrew.

As many of you have done this procedure, perhaps someone would care to share advice about the removal of the running boards?

Work from the back towards the front. There is a peice that will hold the back bracket up. There is a nut and a bolt on the font that has to come off and a nut only. There is a bolt permanently attached from the fender well side. It stumped me at first too. Total process takes about 15 minutes if there is no rust involved.

 

[bak3rme]

took mine off yesterday, took me a while for the screw by the front wheel well area, had to dig and find tools for that one. after taking it off, i am kinda iffy about the looks, doesnt look "full" for me , rather "naked" i guess i need a spoiler and a hitch or something to make it look more rugged maybe a roof basket or something too. probally going to put my running boards back on sometime soon. however it does look alot higher

 

[Snwwlkr7]

I took mine off my 97 limited and think it looks way more truck like and capable. Glad I did it. It took me about 30 mins to remove them with no special tricks other than removing all of the bolts. Basically no rust though on this southeastern truck so that was nice though I did hit them all with penetrating oil first. Yes, one bolt as I remember doesn't come out of the frame so remove the nut and after you remove all of the other bolts you just lower the running board on the loose end and slide it off of that bolt... That bolt sort of helps hold it up until your ready to take it off.