Running Boards and exiting the vehicle

[r32]

This is the first vehicle that I've owned that had running boards. I've always wanted them and thought they looked cool, and were very functional at the same time. A great combo :bigok:

Now that I've had a chance to drive my vehicle I find them...a bit of a pain. It seems every time I get out of the vehicle, I slide my left leg out, then rotate my ass counterclockwise to position myself to step out of the vehicle.

At this point, I find the back of my pants (calf area) resting against the running board before I hit ground. I have a 31 inseem so you'd think this wouldn't be a problem, but it is.

I wonder in the winter time how many times I will get my slacks dirty right before I walk into a meeting? Or get my pants leg wet or even worse, muddy if I've driven after the rain.

Anyone else experience this? I guess the alternative would be to make sure my foot first lands on that step but that is a bit awkward with my knee all up in my grille as I try to stay low, avoiding the inevitable head smash to the top of the door jam.

At the same time, they are functional though because stacking surfboards on top, it's nice not to have to stand on the door jam area. Same thing with the snowboards.

 

[ProMed]

I never step on the boards unless I am trying to reach something on the roof and tep into and out of the car over them.

 

[ALt4r]

Tvery time I get out of the vehicle, I slide my left leg out, then rotate my ass counterclockwise to position myself to step out of the vehicle.

At this point, I find the back of my pants (calf area) resting against the running board before I hit ground.

Yep. i never use them unless im doing something on the roof.

 

[nc211]

I know exactly what you mean about getting your pants dirty. My 05 has the running boards as well, I've had it since last summer, and oddly enough, I have never had my slacks get dirty from them. I've hit the side of the running board several times getting out, after rain, dirt, etc., and to my own amazement "because I always realize what I just did and say a curse word", my pants have never been dirty. I guess the dirt from the road hits just the bottom of the board and not the sides too, or if I've just been lucky. I could easily see where one would get a nice dirt stain or soaked behind the calf mark, but it hasn't happened to me, yet.

 

[Neversummer]

I use them to access my bikes and boards on the roof. Sometimes I step on them just for fun getting in and out I guess. I live a very boring life...

 

[BlairB]

this is one of the many reasons i took mine off

 

[jeremysoca]

looks like its time to upgrade to sliders, hell kill 2 birds with one stone.

 

[Mike07SE]

Very reason I took mine off. Loved the looks, but couldn't stand trying to get out of the truck with them.

 

[OneEyedHito]

SSLLIIDDEERRSS!!

looks like its time to upgrade to sliders, hell kill 2 birds with one stone.

I agree. I took off my Stock Boards (which are free if you pay shipping BTW - 41075 Zip @ 60lbs. total), for the same reason that the OP stated, my inseam is a paltry 29 though!

Put EBAY 'Truck Champ' Nerf Bars on a week or so ago and kinda still have the same issue with the pant leg DIRT, not as bad but still an issue.....so after my Daystar gets installed this week I am going shopping for a set of Sliders.....

Cheers.

 

[T?@\7]

if you do any offroading than your pants will get dirty! I have had both pants and socks get some of mother earths sweet funk on them that had accumulated on the running board out on the trail. moist/muddier conditions obviously!

i took of my running boards, and the thing i miss them the most for is standing on and peeing when the ground isnt suitable for standing and/or washing/waxing the roof.

 

[ran]

my wife has a '02 4dr Taco with boards and likes my '07 SE with tube steps. Not sure if I can find them for her ride. Daily driver,I am not looking for HD sliders for her. (not unless she lets me TRD it out).

 

[BenSD]

Mine stay nice and clean, and never get my pant legs dirty.




They're up in the attic.

 

[bsl888]

The running boards/bars are good for protecting door dings at parking lots. If I didn't have the bars and have the boards, then I would have removed them.

My wife, whose 5'2", and my 7 yr old daughter do use them. Although when I had my 3rd gen 4Runner, I did'nt have any running boards, and my daughter (even younger then) had no problems climbing in and jumping out.

 

[T?@\7]

i agree about door dings, aswell as potential thrown rocks..... but I have not had an issue in about 5500 miles.

 

[Iolaus]

Originally posted by bsl888 My wife, whose 5'2", and my 7 yr old daughter do use them. Although when I had my 3rd gen 4Runner, I did'nt have any running boards, and my daughter (even younger then) had no problems climbing in and jumping out. [/B]

I'd remove mine because they're just in the way, but like you, my wife uses them religiously.