Running boards, keep or remove?

Do you have a close up on how yours look? Tried meaning the look of it and functionality. I am leaning towards the dimpled tread plate ones because I don't off road, but my dilemma is how those will look next to my graphite rims. It might look odd.

You can always order bare steel and get it powder coat to match your graphite wheels.

(this is actually already posted in my build thread)
20150418_1834571-vi.jpg
 
You can always order bare steel and get it powder coat to match your graphite wheels.



(this is actually already posted in my build thread)

20150418_1834571-vi.jpg


Are those holes there where you step or what is that? My graphite rims are not as grey as most people think so it might not look too bad. Would you disagree?
 
Are those holes there where you step or what is that? My graphite rims are not as grey as most people think so it might not look too bad. Would you disagree?

Those are the "dimpled tread plate" for stepping.

I have no comment regarding your graphite rims. I have never seen them, you haven't post a pic, it is just "all talks".

There is no way for me to comment out of "thin air". :guitar3:
 
Those are the "dimpled tread plate" for stepping.



I have no comment regarding your graphite rims. I have never seen them, you haven't post a pic, it is just "all talks".



There is no way for me to comment out of "thin air". :guitar3:


3988e420ca3f1e820d1df527621dcb7c.jpg


I thought I posted this picture originally? Btw don't black rims look like they are graphite when they get dirty? :).
The other questions is how much the rock sliders protect the snow and salt that gets kicked up in the crazy WI winters around here vs running boards?

Here's another one.
e4638c8d456e564ff7031164b03e843b.jpg


Blocked out my boys face for obvious reasons.
 
Last edited:
I prefer no running boards. Mostly for visual reasons in the past. I just sold my Tundra crewmax on 35's with no running boards, so the 4Runner is a piece of cake to get in! My 3 year old loved to attempt to climb in the Tundra, and was humorous to watch. Then I finally started putting my hand down there as a step. I used to carry around a collapsible plastic foot stool that I would hide in an opening behind the seat. I used that until I forgot to put it back in... and ran it over. Oops!

I'll eventually get sliders though; probably Shrockworks.


How does your 4Runner look now ?
 
You can always order bare steel and get it powder coat to match your graphite wheels.



(this is actually already posted in my build thread)

20150418_1834571-vi.jpg


After carefully reading your build thread I am almost terrified now. You wrote that the gas tank has to be held in place while you installed your sliders? Originally my dealer installed my running boards. If this will be very involved I may just have to pay someone to do it. I hope not...
 
I like the look of the Shrockworks, but their lead time is insane... I just didn't have the patience ha so I went with some fat nerf bars that just used the stock mounting bolts. Also, I didn't love the idea of bolting something that is bound to trap moisture and crud against my frame rails which will lead to rust down the road, and don't need the protection as I don't rock climb. Saved some cash and got the look and door ding parking lot protection I was looking for, as well as a great step for securing stuff up on the Bajarack.

Many great choices, depends what you want!
 
I like the look of the Shrockworks, but their lead time is insane... I just didn't have the patience ha so I went with some fat nerf bars that just used the stock mounting bolts. Also, I didn't love the idea of bolting something that is bound to trap moisture and crud against my frame rails which will lead to rust down the road, and don't need the protection as I don't rock climb. Saved some cash and got the look and door ding parking lot protection I was looking for, as well as a great step for securing stuff up on the Bajarack.



Many great choices, depends what you want!


I agree mine look too bulky, but I won't replace these to get Shrockworks running boards. To me they look just as bulky without the silver strip. I guess I'd have to see them in person. I would rather go for the rock sliders. I am just hesitant especially after reading how hard they were to install.
 
Funny I pulled the factory steps off this past weekend, 6 bolts per side to take them off, a monkey could do it. Personally I think it looks way better without, but with my wife at 5'2" and two small kids I needed something.

I have shrockworks step sliders in the garage, probably put them on next week after I swap out my rocker panels, at least 14+ don't have to deal with that on the SR5.
 
Funny I pulled the factory steps off this past weekend, 6 bolts per side to take them off, a monkey could do it. Personally I think it looks way better without, but with my wife at 5'2" and two small kids I needed something.



I have shrockworks step sliders in the garage, probably put them on next week after I swap out my rocker panels, at least 14+ don't have to deal with that on the SR5.


Why did you go with step vs rock sliders?
 
Balancing my desire to drive over stuff with small kids and a short wife.


How hard is it to install rock sliders after removing the running boards? Did you have a hands to read through that others owners build thread? Seems MUCH more involved than I thought.
 
How hard is it to install rock sliders after removing the running boards? Did you have a hands to read through that others owners build thread? Seems MUCH more involved than I thought.

The key is to have help, in the end it's mostly nuts and bolts, you might have to drill a hole but I don't know on your model. You can do it, it's not like rewiring, tearing suspension apart, etc. My feeling is that if you can assemble a gas grill you can do it. There are at least three different instruction threads with various pictures to look over.
 
The key is to have help, in the end it's mostly nuts and bolts, you might have to drill a hole but I don't know on your model. You can do it, it's not like rewiring, tearing suspension apart, etc. My feeling is that if you can assemble a gas grill you can do it. There are at least three different instruction threads with various pictures to look over.


The more I look on T4R most owners do not have running boards or sliders. Decisions decisions ...for me it's a toss up. The harsh WI winters kick up a lot of snow and salt. Although I have mud flaps that won't help in some cases. I have a shorter wife and kid who may have issues going in and out. Rock Sliders look great and seem pretty easy to get in and out of using them.
 
So you took those off and put nothing in its place?

Correct. Here it is now. You could try this. It was 6 bolts per side. If you don't like it, put them (or something else) back on.
 

Attachments

  • 20140827_180139.jpg
    20140827_180139.jpg
    141.2 KB · Views: 2,726
Last edited:
Correct. Here it is now.


I TOTALLY agree with them being in an awkward position. Did you sell the old ones? If so, how much ? Do you have issues with rock chips now? In reality the running boards help with stuff being thrown at the doors, but I am just getting tired of them. Why didn't you opt for the rock sliders at least for the look?
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
278,309
Messages
3,554,068
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Trending content

Back
Top