Running boards and little kids, yes or no?

[blackie2]

I haven't posted on this site for some time after selling my old 2004 4Runner but I'm getting a new 2016 SR5 in a couple of weeks and I have a simple question. If any of you guys have kids, I have two five year old boys, do they have any trouble getting in to the 4Runner by themselves or have you had to install running boards for them? My wife can fend for herself, lol. Anyway, I just wanted to check ahead of time as I have to get them in and out of the car everyday.

I also have done lots of searches on them and was also curious to how slick the NFab's were in wet weather as opposed to the TE versions. Last thing I want is a kids sliding off the things and if you don't have kids they will do it. Thanks in advance.

 

[1engineer]

If they are normal 5 year olds they can climb up to the roof rack on a 4Runner with no running boards in just a few seconds...

 

[blackie2]

If they are normal 5 year olds they can climb up to the roof rack on a 4Runner with no running boards in just a few seconds...

Thanks and that's funny. I think you just saved me a few hundred bucks.

 

[cyclist]

Short GF, and her 9year old boy both use them. Helps more on exit too, prevents them from breaking down your side bolsters by not sliding off the seat edge.

 

[Angelo]

Anyway, I just wanted to check ahead of time as I have to get them in and out of the car everyday.

I would say there can be a little bit of difficulty without a step or boards of some kind. My 4 and 5 year old CAN get in my rig without my help, but they do it little-kid style, hands on the floormats, boosting themselves, and once when I wasn't watching close enough, accidentally pushing the door open against a stone wall we were parked next to. Not their fault, mine, but now I help them in and out.

 

[Boyds4Runner]

Helps more on exit too, prevents them from breaking down your side bolsters by not sliding off the seat edge.

This ^^
I have the TE running boards on mine and my two girls and wife, and my parents, and any other kids I happen to have to car-pool or take along use it a lot. I use it all the time too.

It is a big help on the way out as they can step on that first and then jump down rather than like [MENTION=103959]cyclist[/MENTION] above said, "sliding off the seat edge" and eventually wearing down the side bolsters of the seats.

Same reason I am holding off on converting them to sliders, I need sliders and would like those with full covered tops so the little feet don't get caught in any gaps stepping in and out. But that's going to have to wait until the wallet refills a little bit.

 

[phillyd2]

If they are normal 5 year olds they can climb up to the roof rack on a 4Runner with no running boards in just a few seconds...

Yep. Around here the tail does not wag the dog. I needed and installed sliders so the kid was forced to adapt. Didn't take long.

 

[GG Allin]

Night and day difference with my 7 year old girl getting in and out with them. Mine did not come with them, but I found a set shortly after buying it.

 

[blackie2]

I'll contact one of the forum sponsors and get a set of the TE boards for it. Thanks to all of you for your help. It's really appreciated.

 

[itsdchz]

6 Yr old boy- no problem on stock height, but running boards made it quicker and easier for him to get in, and no wait for us. With a lift, running boards are a must. Took running boards off for about a week, and my son started taking so much time to get in and out, constantly experimenting on unusual ways to grasp getting in or out. With sliders on now, the situation is back to normal..

 

[jwkilgore]

Some sort of step is highly recommended for the reasons listed above. I have a lift; yes, my wife (5'2") and my 6-yr-old (short for his age) can get in and out without boards, but they complain loudly. Happy wife, happy life. I have to keep the boards on, then take them off if I'm planning on going off-road.

Which is why I'm posting... if you have any plans whatsoever to go offroad in the future, especially if you live in an area with any rocks or such, spring for structural sliders instead of light-duty running boards. I'm not talking rock-crawling; just trying to drive down poorly-maintained roads with rocks and ruts causes the brackets of my OEM boards to drag and hit things. The early SR5 versions have the same low-hanging rocker trim as the LEs. They are severely mangled.

There are several slider options available for LE trim that will also serve as excellent steps.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/195991-consolidated-slider-info-thread.html

 

[jspagna1]

Just an observation, I had a 1997 4Runner and had running boards on it. I now have a 2011 and also have running boards on it. Just makes life easier for everyone. I'm 6' tall so it doesn't bother me either way. My point is that what I notice is that my 97 had more ground clearance but the seats were lower. Meanwhile my 11 has less ground clearance but the seats are higher.

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

They work well for my 4 y/o. Plus the added benefit of helping prevent door dings to your car

 

[Somar]

My ~5ft. wife and 9/yo daughter were able to get in/out of the 4Runner with a little effort, but adding the factory Rigid Running Boards made things much easier for them.

 

[emmantik]

I have 3 kids, 5, 6 and an 8yrs old. Running boards definitely help. I like them mostly because they help me not to slide off the edge of the seat when exiting/entering, reducing unwanted wear and tear. Same goes for the rear seats and the kids. I don't need them though as I'm 5'11".

 

[4Rainier]

My wife and 2 boys (5 and 2) love the Shrockworks step-sliders. The 2 year old actually gets mad if I try to give him a boost. Then again, he's 2, so he gets mad about everything.

 

[Cymon]

3year old daughter uses the heck out of the "rigid" running boards. If I had to do it over again though (and were available at the time of purchase)I would have used the money to go to C4 sliders with the step plate.

 

[Jhalko]

Shrockworks step sliders. Done.

 

[Mailkiko]

4yo, 6yo, a Gen 3 Sport and a 2016 Trail...

I have a 2001 sport with running boards, and our 4 and 6 year olds use them. My truck is stock height.

Just bought my wife a 2016 Trail, and she didn't want running boards. She's 5'6" and I'm 5'10. I haven't heard one complaint yet about climbing in. The trail is quite a bit taller than my Sport.

The kids think it's fun to climb in and jump out. Also, often in hurry, we pick the kids up, so there's that. Kid-Crossfit, lol.

Good luck, and I'd say pass on them, and get the smaller ones later if you decide you HAVE TO have them.

 

[renau001]

I put mine on right after I got mine. Definitely help with little ones. But I use them too, and ask my wife to, to keep the seats in good shape. To me that's the biggest advantage, also makes washing a lot easier. Eventually, I will get some step-worthy sliders but just wasn't ready yet. The toyota part # PT938-89100 are the one's I got and love the way they look. And they have not been too slick during washing, so I'd say they're okay on that front.