Running board removal & potential damage.

[Littlegram]

Hello,

New member here. I recently purchases a 1999 SR5 in excellent condition. I am thinking about removing the running boards but am concerned that rocks and other road debris will damage the paint. I will be driving mostly on the road, some off. Am I over concerned about this? I guess I could get mud flaps but don't really like the look.

Thanks

 

[T4R2014]

Hello,

New member here. I recently purchases a 1999 SR5 in excellent condition. I am thinking about removing the running boards but am concerned that rocks and other road debris will damage the paint. I will be driving mostly on the road, some off. Am I over concerned about this? I guess I could get mud flaps but don't really like the look.

Thanks

Running boards get a lot of hate on here, but in reality they protect your rockers and doors way better than mud flaps from chipping. They don't hurt ground clearance much either since they hang no lower than the frame.

Why do I say this? I have both and alternate from time to time. I think the running board-less look is cool, but in terms of actually protecting it is the running boards that win every time over the mud flaps. Especially in the winter. The running boards stop all that slushy salty crap from getting all over my door jambs and rockers.

 

[Littlegram]

Thanks for the reply. I think I will keep them for now for the protection. Looking at wheel options since I have always liked black wheels. Been looking at photos to see what users have done with their 4runners - lots of good stuff, just wish I had unlimited $$!

 

[psraff]

Thanks for the reply. I think I will keep them for now for the protection. Looking at wheel options since I have always liked black wheels. Been looking at photos to see what users have done with their 4runners - lots of good stuff, just wish I had unlimited $$!

Where in Idaho? I grew up on Western Montana just across the state line from Idaho....

As for your truck... it will be a work in progress.. It will take time. I had my boards on for a few years before I took them off (still had little girls need them). When I did take them off, I saw where they rubbed the paint off the body some in a few places. It wasn't bad, just rubbing. I've had them off for years now and no trim or mud flaps and it is scary when you hear rocks pinging off the door panels.. But I think I only have one noticeable scuff mark from them. After that, I had some rock sliders built and put on. Those help of course, and they really help in parking lots when people don't know how to open and hold onto their doors. I smile every time I look at a big white mark on my slider from someone's door. I don't have any more marks on my doors from those people, that's for sure...

 

[Brilliant]

Take them off, put on sliders! You can put some perforated steel on the sliders if you want to protect the rockers. I've been too lazy to do mine, but have the materials.

[MENTION=9596]paddlenbike[/MENTION] did it well. I think he has a post somewhere about it. Here is a link to a pic of it http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/164906-how-properly-clean-undercarriage.html#post1656328

 

[JayRolla]

Running boards get a lot of hate on here, but in reality they protect your rockers and doors way better than mud flaps from chipping. They don't hurt ground clearance much either since they hang no lower than the frame.

Why do I say this? I have both and alternate from time to time. I think the running board-less look is cool, but in terms of actually protecting it is the running boards that win every time over the mud flaps. Especially in the winter. The running boards stop all that slushy salty crap from getting all over my door jambs and rockers.

Actually they hurt clearances. You ride your tires over boulders which puts them right on the side steps. You don't straddle large rocks to get high centered so it helps with them off.

 

[Littlegram]

psraff - I am in Boise, but travel all over Idaho for work. Moved here from Ohio 2 years ago. Amazed at the condition of older vehicles out here. The frame and underside of my new to me 99 4runner looks new. In the Midwest that would not happen.

I will look up sliders since I don't know what they are. I don't plan on driving over boulders any time soon but want to take it on some moderate trails down the road.

 

[T4R2014]

Actually they hurt clearances. You ride your tires over boulders which puts them right on the side steps. You don't straddle large rocks to get high centered so it helps with them off.

The way I see it, if the running boards aren't there then the next thing that boulder will crush is the rockers. I'd rather crush a thin steel/plastic running board than a rocker. Better yet, get sliders. But then again, OP doesn't seem to be needing those for his applications.

 

[Colorado buff]

Hello,

New member here. I recently purchases a 1999 SR5 in excellent condition. I am thinking about removing the running boards but am concerned that rocks and other road debris will damage the paint. I will be driving mostly on the road, some off. Am I over concerned about this? I guess I could get mud flaps but don't really like the look.

Thanks

If you live in a cold weather climate, the running boards allow pooling of water to build up which create rusting on the rocker panels. Apparently it's a design defect.

 

[JayRolla]

The way I see it, if the running boards aren't there then the next thing that boulder will crush is the rockers. I'd rather crush a thin steel/plastic running board than a rocker. Better yet, get sliders. But then again, OP doesn't seem to be needing those for his applications.

Yes this is good for novice drivers. I know my rig and what I can get over. I have gotten hung up on my sidesteps. So yes novice drivers can keep them if they don't know there rig. Again you still gain clearance where you stated you don't.

 

[psraff]

psraff - I am in Boise, but travel all over Idaho for work. Moved here from Ohio 2 years ago. Amazed at the condition of older vehicles out here. The frame and underside of my new to me 99 4runner looks new. In the Midwest that would not happen.

I will look up sliders since I don't know what they are. I don't plan on driving over boulders any time soon but want to take it on some moderate trails down the road.

Was raised in Thompson Falls, MT. Pretty close to Sandpoint. Yes, you nailed it here.... Takes a lot to rust up a truck around there.

"Sliders"... Rock Sliders. Basically, extra armor. Down there.. I would think of stumps also, or even logs and such. Mountains Roads, you come across downed trees once in a while. They aren't just for large rocks. But how about rocks and such crossing streams, or along a lake? I positioned mine in a way where you can still step on them like the running board. As I stated before, they work great when parking next to other cars and they just throw their doors open without caring what's close to them.

CBI is in Idaho Falls.. I have both front and rear bumpers. But they make Sliders as well (as do many others).

https://www.cbioffroadfab.com/products/3rd-gen-toyota-4runner

Nathan seems to be a pretty good guy there.

 

[giovannie23]

Yea i was thinking about taking my boards off untill they saved me from body damage when wheeling since them im for sure keeping them on intill i get some sliders down the road

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Meh, all depends on what you are going to do with your vehicle and personal taste.

Me, I like the running boards but I don't do any hardcore off-roading where I am going over >= 12" boulders.

Unless you are going to do anything a little more hardcore (like JayRolla's sig pic) a box stock 4Runner of any year is a very capable off road vehicle.

The factory 3rd gen running boards lose you like maybe what, 2"? If that is a problem for what you want to do then yep, take them off. O/Wise go with what you like from an aesthetic angle.

Living in Colorado I am 100% certain they do protect the vehicle from rock and gravel damage that I see on a regular basis.

 

[Littlegram]

I appreciate all the replies and feedback. I needed a new vehicle for work and daily driving. I had been looking for over a year and deciding what I wanted. I settled on a 4runner because of the reliability, looks, function in snow, and resale value down the road. I searched all over for months for a decent, low mile manual 4runner before I found this one. Paid a hefty price but I am happy with it. Water pump and timing belt were done at 89K and it now has 102K, so it will last a while.

I have not done really any off-roading in the past but like to camp, so I am guessing the worst trails I will take it on would be very mild compared with what many of you do. I am mainly looking to do a few cosmetic things like wheels and such. I will check out that place in Idaho Falls next time I am there, psraff. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Jabberjaw]

4 words: shock works step sliders

 

[davidch]

If you live in a cold weather climate, the running boards allow pooling of water to build up which create rusting on the rocker panels. Apparently it's a design defect.

Ah, yes. From a 1997 Pennsylvania/Delaware 4Runner I obtained in November 2013. Left side, directly ahead of rear wheel.

 

[T4R2014]

No rust here. Looks more like a lazy PO never washed the salt off his truck in the winter.