Running boards and little kids, yes or no?

[dekeman]

Only reason I've kept mine on is because it makes it vastly easier to step up, sit down sideways, BANG FEET together (especially up here in salt-sand-snow country) and keep the interior that much cleaner and drier. Kids and Mrs do same now.
If only the dog were so adept ...

 

[blackie2]

Got my new 4Runner on Saturday after a three hour marathon negotiation with the dealer. God I hate buying cars. Anyway, all was well when the day was done and kids definitely need running boards. Ordered a set of Toyota SR5 boards since I'm not doing any rock climbing with it and it'll keep my wife happy too.

 

[GeorgeFF]

I like the boards since I frequently have guests who ride with me and are unfamiliar with SUVs. The appreciate the extra step. My dog appreciated it too.

 

[Wingsuit]

You asked if the N Fabs were slick. Just the opposite. The step surface is like a sort of cheese grater design. Good purchase when wet and/or muddy.

 

[blackie2]

 

[craaaazzy]

You asked if the N Fabs were slick. Just the opposite. The step surface is like a sort of cheese grater design. Good purchase when wet and/or muddy.

i changed out my stock running boards for the nfabs. was afraid my wife would not like them but she thought they were easier to use. it's a little harder for my 6 year old to use but she's used to them now. definitely not as slippery as the stock cause of the "cheese grater design"

 

[blackie2]

i changed out my stock running boards for the nfabs. was afraid my wife would not like them but she thought they were easier to use. it's a little harder for my 6 year old to use but she's used to them now. definitely not as slippery as the stock cause of the "cheese grater design"

I will probable do the same thing in a few years when the kids are bigger. Right now one of them can literally jump into the 4Runner but the other one can't figure out how to get his feet into the rig. But he's learning fast as I've given him a few wedgies to speed up the learning process.

 

[mybabydaddy]

You asked if the N Fabs were slick. Just the opposite. The step surface is like a sort of cheese grater design. Good purchase when wet and/or muddy.

Agreed. '14 TEP with small lift... added NFab steps soon after buying... Have a 3 and a 5 yr old... They use them every time getting in & out. Even when wet, I don't recall slipping (yet anyhow). They seem to work really well. NOT SLIDERS tho, so don't get these if you need true protection. Get one of the other options if you need true sliders.

 

[blackie2]

I got a set of OEM boards via UPS today and they took about 20:00 to bolt onto my 4Runner. They are the SR5 version with the matching silver trim. Kids tried them out and they made it a lot easier for them to get in. Only glitch was the small plastic protector between the running board and the end of the rocker panel. I had to either bend them or remove them so I pulled them off. I then checked a parts diagram and found a second set of protectors for running boards so I ordered them to install. Other than that, they work and my wife liked them too.

And the protector I removed.

 

[E.J.W.]

Would like to add boards...

We have a 2012 SR5 without running boards. Coming out of a F150 Supercrew 4 door cab that had boards to the 4Runner with out them, it's tough just washing the vehicle. Kids are grown now and I like the protection from stone chips and the seat bolster savings.
Thought we'd try for some O.E Toyota boards, but they seem to get disliked some. What is the issues that makes them "bad"?
Thanks
E.

 

[blackie2]

All I can gather is that for guys who do a lot of off-road driving and rock climbing they need all the ground clearance they can get so they take the running boards off. The other complaints I've read is that some guys think the OEM boards aren't wide enough or that they don't like the chrome or silver trim on the latest versions.

 

[Quentin]

My 3 year old struggles to get in and out without the boards. I took them off after a week and Esther said "where is my step?" I think I will probably put them back on until my wife gets her new car.

 

[craaaazzy]

We have a 2012 SR5 without running boards. Coming out of a F150 Supercrew 4 door cab that had boards to the 4Runner with out them, it's tough just washing the vehicle. Kids are grown now and I like the protection from stone chips and the seat bolster savings.

Thought we'd try for some O.E Toyota boards, but they seem to get disliked some. What is the issues that makes them "bad"?

Thanks

E.

For me, it's just not comfortable stepping on them cause my toes would hit the rocker panel, just not wide enough. Wife and I have an easier time with the steps on the nfabs.

 

[E.J.W.]

I did look at the depth on my yet to be sold F150. They are 7 inches deep from the edge to the vertical lip that is under the rocker panel. How much shallower are the OE Toyota boards?
Our 4Runner also has a trim piece below the doors and runs full length between the wheels. It integrates to the wheel flares. Would this need to be removed to install the boards?
Thanks for the info as this vehicle is a lot different than all the Fords I've had over the years.
E.

 

[Sleeter]

3" lift and sliders and my 3yrd struggels to get in. 5yrd has zero issues, wife thinks it is a PIa to get in.

 

[eye_bex]

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.

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

Agreed. I hate the look, but have boards on mine. Before I had them, my kids (4 and 3) could climb in, and I thought that was that. The game changer was the first winter here in MN. Sure, they can still climb in (rigged a little handle with climbing daisy chain), but they looked like they had just spent the day in the salt mines when they got it. Worth the boards until they can step up in my opinion.