Running boards - buy off ebay?

A

Ambros

New member
Trying to save some money on buying running boards. Thought I had some off craigslist lined up but that fell through. (I posted some about this before, sorry for the rethread)
No one on here selling near Ohio.

So....dealer wants 549.00 plus tax + plus installation is 790 "out the door" Thats for the SR5 ones whatever that means. Dang.

2010-2017 4Runner RUNNING BOARDS TRD PRO OR TRAIL EDTN Genuine Toyota PT93889100 | eBay

These look like the "real" pattern I've seen?
They are all black, free shipping. Not sure what the tax would be. I've bought other stuff off ebay but nothing like this.

Any known pitfalls here? There is one 2 star review complaining about cheap plastic and 1 5 star review.

I think my mechanic will install for 100.00 vs. the 150?
 
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IMO nFab steps look way better than any running board. Around $300 new and easy to install yourself.

Sometimes I have wished I had bought sliders instead when on a narrow trail or getting past large rocks. Some sliders work well as steps too. Sliders will cost less that what the dealer quoted you for boards and installation.
 
Dumb question.
Why not do sliders instead?
Just curious. I mean, it'd improve off-road protection, and actually probably protect better against other problems, and can serve as steps.
 
^^^^ This. For the dollars you are talking, if you ever have any plans on driving anywhere other than a paved road you'll want real structural sliders instead of aluminum rock-catchers.

But if you never have any plans on leaving the pavement, then those will work if you actually have a Trail, a TRD, or a 2014+ SR5 trim level. If you have a Limited or a 2009-2013 SR5 the rocker plastic hangs down farther and those boards won't fit.
 
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Running Boards versus rock sliders

Running boards are damage enhancers. If you scrape them they can easily bend up into the rocker panel and door, causing more damage.
Look at rock sliders instead. Lot's of brands to choose from. They'll carry the weight of the car if you slide over a big rock or log. They can double as a side step, like a running board but not as wide.
Install them yourself with basic tools.
 
Where are you located? I'm trying to get rid of a pair of basically new oem running boards I pulled off my 2017.. I was thinking around $200, which is less than half what the dealer wants.
 
Ambros said:
Trying to save some money on buying running boards. Thought I had some off craigslist lined up but that fell through. (I posted some about this before, sorry for the rethread)
No one on here selling near Ohio.

So....dealer wants 549.00 plus tax + plus installation is 790 "out the door" Thats for the SR5 ones whatever that means. Dang.

2010-2017 4Runner RUNNING BOARDS TRD PRO OR TRAIL EDTN Genuine Toyota PT93889100 | eBay

These look like the "real" pattern I've seen?
They are all black, free shipping. Not sure what the tax would be. I've bought other stuff off ebay but nothing like this.

Any known pitfalls here? There is one 2 star review complaining about cheap plastic and 1 5 star review.

I think my mechanic will install for 100.00 vs. the 150?
Click to expand...

If you have a 12mm wrench you can install yourself in about 15-20 minutes. Less if you have someone hold the running board for you. They are not heavy at all. In saying that, if you were willing to spend that much look at some hefty fab, shrockworks or C4 sliders that have a decent step as [MENTION=153743]Leucifer[/MENTION] , [MENTION=126566]jwkilgore[/MENTION] , and [MENTION=115572]DesertCanyons[/MENTION] recommended. Also easy install, just heavier and more bolts. Get a couple of boxes or jack stands ($30) and it will take you an hour or two at most (again all you need is a wrench).
 
[MENTION=157805]Ambros[/MENTION]

I have exactly those on my 4runner. Bought new online for $330, don't recall shipping costs as it was a few years back. I bought direct from trdsparks.com
do a search for part number PT938-89100. They still have them in stock for $324

For those that say why not xyz brand...well as the OP said, save money and IMHO all the after market options look like shit. Plus these do exactly what I need them to do. Exactly. I'm sure xyz brand does what you need them to do so it's really just personal preference and how you use your 4R.

FYI OP, these are plenty strong for you, me and the misses to stand on and get in and out of the truck, but will NOT hold the truck up from underneath in any way shape or form. They are plastic over the light-medium metal frame.

Don't pay anyone to install them!! Mine bolted right up with about 6-8 bolts on each side, holes were all ready drilled and tapped, with the bolts in them.

Seriously took me less than one hour.
 
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Cymon said:
If you have a 12mm wrench you can install yourself in about 15-20 minutes. Less if you have someone hold the running board for you. They are not heavy at all. In saying that, if you were willing to spend that much look at some hefty fab, shrockworks or C4 sliders that have a decent step as [MENTION=153743]Leucifer[/MENTION] , [MENTION=126566]jwkilgore[/MENTION] , and [MENTION=115572]DesertCanyons[/MENTION] recommended. Also easy install, just heavier and more bolts. Get a couple of boxes or jack stands ($30) and it will take you an hour or two at most (again all you need is a wrench).
Click to expand...

Yes, good ideas. I have the Domello rock sliders. Simple and efficient. I used a bunch of wood blocks (2x4s) I have stacked up to prop up the sliders while I got it in place to bolt on. No sweat and easy when you're lying on your backside trying to install the bolts. With KDSS you have to loosen up the KDSS lines, covers and main pump to get the mounts in underneath the system. Not hard to do.
 
I don't add much to this forum, but I had the OEM steps and swapped to sliders, then to N fab because the sliders do not make a good step....If you want OEM, search here before ebay. I sold my OEM for $150ish plus shipping.

They seriously bolt on and if you can screw in a light bulb, you can handle this. Depending where you are in Ohio, I would gladly do it for $100. I picked up N fabs at 4WD in Columbiana for around $300, it was memorial day tax free sale.
 
Thanks for the responses, I'll try to answer and comment to all of them.

Why not sliders or nerf bars. I did a very small amt of googling last night on this to see whether I should be looking into this.

First, I'm short and was looking for a step, mostly down as I feel like sliding down off the seat is breaking it down.

Nerf bars; I read some comments saying that they crushed more easily in an accident, To me some don't look as they don't seem provide as good a step, seems you would constantly be trying to make sure you found the step spot not the bar with your foot. Not sure they provide much protection from everyday road debris. Neither of which would bother me so much if I loved the way they looked. But I dont' so much. The only plus I can think of is that they probably wouldn't hold moisture near the body of the vehicle. As my Blazer rusted terribly that is a plus. The Westin ones in Sierra24runners link have pretty big "step spots", all black. I like them, still not sure I want to go with them, like the price for sure.

Sliders; Researching is a big drawback. Its just time consuming if you don't know much about something. As someone said, some probably don't provide as good step a so that would be part of the research. I currently do not live in the rocky west. I'm more likely to encounter stumps in mud and sand. But honestly I don't off road much, stumps would be more a threat when turning around u[ and off the poor quality truck and forest trails, atv trails that have been beat to powder and have huge pot holes. I think good ones that really perform their purpose would be expensive and harder to install. IDK, maybe I should consider them but I don't know if I'm up for the research/decision making right now as I'm also looking for a house and a big move.

Leaving me with, running boards. My biggest concern being rust and Desert Canyon called them damage enhancers and also there was a rock catcher comment? Not sure I get that.
In addition to wanting a step down, I have watched twice as someone purposefully rammed their car door into my 4runner. The first time they hit the front panel so running boards wouldn't have helped anyway. But they would have the second time.
(Side question here - how do you guys treat scratches? Get some paint at the dealer?)



Nglayton, thanks for the buying location recommends.

Was sort of getting excited about installing myself till Desert Canyon started talking about KDSS lines. Uh....is that just with sliders or running boards too? Since I have a Trail I have KDSS.

Mayor Bloom - you had in your post "search here" but I think you forgot to put where. Columbiana is about 3.5 hours from me.

Factory parts is cheapest, 294, but they charge shipping. TRD Sparks is charging 324 with estimated shipping of 113 from Toledo which isn't that far. Ebay is 393 with free shipping. So 437, 407, 393.


Trixx - not sure what shipping would be from SC. More than 113?
 
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Ambros said:
Trying to save some money on buying running boards. Thought I had some off craigslist lined up but that fell through. (I posted some about this before, sorry for the rethread)
No one on here selling near Ohio.

So....dealer wants 549.00 plus tax + plus installation is 790 "out the door" Thats for the SR5 ones whatever that means. Dang.

2010-2017 4Runner RUNNING BOARDS TRD PRO OR TRAIL EDTN Genuine Toyota PT93889100 | eBay

These look like the "real" pattern I've seen?
They are all black, free shipping. Not sure what the tax would be. I've bought other stuff off ebay but nothing like this.

Any known pitfalls here? There is one 2 star review complaining about cheap plastic and 1 5 star review.

I think my mechanic will install for 100.00 vs. the 150?
Click to expand...

C4 Fab - has models for KDSS and may have a coupon now - 2014+ 4Runner Rock Sliders | C4 Fabrication

Buy once cry once.
 
Ambros said:
Thanks for the responses, I'll try to answer and comment to all of them.




know if I'm up for the research/decision making right now as I'm also looking for a house and a big move.

In addition to wanting a step down, I have watched twice as someone purposefully rammed their car door into my 4runner. The first time they hit the front panel so running boards wouldn't have helped anyway. But they would have the second time.
(Side question here - how do you guys treat scratches? Get some paint at the dealer.

Was sort of getting excited about installing myself till Desert Canyon started talking about KDSS lines. Uh....is that just with sliders or running boards too? Since I have a Trail I have KDSS.

Mayor Bloom - you had in your post "search here" but I think you forgot to put where. Columbiana is about 3.5 hours from me.

Factory parts is cheapest, 294, but they charge shipping. TRD Sparks is charging 324 with estimated shipping of 113 from Toledo which isn't that far. Ebay is 393 with free shipping. So 437, 407, 393.


Trixx - not sure what shipping would be from SC. More than 113?
Click to expand...

Sounds like the trial/rigid style running boards would be the best for you. In terms of install, kdss does not effect running board install as they bolt into the rocker trim (this is why if pushed up they can be a damage multiplier because they can rip or damage the rocker panel). The kdss line is mounted to the frame rail. When installing sliders, they bolt onto the frame rail (for more strength and to protect the rocker panel), this is why you have to work around the lines when installing sliders. You can definitely install the running boards yourself. If you go this route shoot me a pm and I can walk you through the install.

As for the scratches, depending on how deep or large they are you can buy a color matching scratch fill pen and clear coat and use some scratch compound (you can buy this at any automotive store or even Walmart). If just a clearcoat scratch you can clay bar polish and wax the area and most of it will be unnoticeable.
 
Go Rhino side steps were put on my 4Runner at the dealership before I bought it. I see them all around town so they must be a popular option here. $245 and look very easy to install.

Go Rhino

They have chrome and black. I have only seen black around town.
 
Also check Craigslist because I just picked up a set of never used go rhino steps for $60. I got lucky though. [emoji6]

9abecd6f99efd774fb7c9676985ff207.jpg
 
dorkmagus said:
Also check Craigslist because I just picked up a set of never used go rhino steps for $60. I got lucky though. [emoji6]

9abecd6f99efd774fb7c9676985ff207.jpg
Click to expand...

Hey that's the color of the used 2015 I got.

Whelp, for better or worse I ordered off ebay. I just hope they are the ones with the pattern etc. (like the bumper on the back) like it says. I would have to pay shipping back to california if not.

Will check back on install.
 
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