steps, nerfs, boards, clearance etc?

J

jjdbike

New member
First, yes I searched. Couldn’t find these specific answers.
I have a 2011 SR5 & I need steps, nerf bars or running boards to access the roof rack & for ease of entry for shorter legs. There are many choices, but I want to make an informed choice.
My first priority is for them to not cut into ground or deminish clearance. Do any of these cut into or limit ground clearnce?
I also don’t want them to hold snow, sand, mud etc. Rust resistance is a plus as I run the beach.
What other issues should I be aware of when choosing these?
As far as looks, I like nerf bars, stepes are ok, I don’t like running boards.
I appreciate any advice, infor or suggestions.
Thanks in advance!
JD
 
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Funny, I am in the same situation. I currently have running boards,
and they reduce ground clearance. I have been looking into
custom fitting a Mercedes Ml nerf. They seem to go up the side a bit, so
ground clearance is not reduced. I will post it if I decide to attempt it.
 
Thanks Con-Jo
I looked at those. They look like many nerf bars on the market. I also looked at Go Rhino 3” 4000 series. They fit high & tight too. I am also considering N-Fab wheel to wheel steps T1164RL. They seem to be the most popular here. Understandably as they are black & rugged. Unfortunatly mine is “Classic Silver”w/ stock wheels and looks ok w/ a little chrome. Most people here seem to have the Trail & like the blacked out look. What I do not know is if the bottom part of the N-Fab step is any lower than the underneath of the vehicle (i.e. deminishing ground clearance).
Anyone?
Thanks!
JD
 
running boards arent the lowest portion of the vehicle.... thye simply give the appearance of less ground clearance.... with that said get rid of them, they are fugly. NFABs sit much lower than the factory step
 
jjdbike said:
First, yes I searched. Couldn’t find these specific answers.
I have a 2011 SR5 & I need steps, nerf bars or running boards to access the roof rack & for ease of entry for shorter legs. There are many choices, but I want to make an informed choice.
My first priority is for them to not cut into ground or deminish clearance. Do any of these cut into or limit ground clearnce?
I also don’t want them to hold snow, sand, mud etc. Rust resistance is a plus as I run the beach.
What other issues should I be aware of when choosing these?
As far as looks, I like nerf bars, stepes are ok, I don’t like running boards.
I appreciate any advice, infor or suggestions.
Thanks in advance!
JD
Click to expand...

You will have limited options, the low rocker panel means eliminating a lot of potential steps. You can replace the rocker but that's not cheap. If you don't need a slider the nfabs with a spacer might work but they will rust at some point down the road. Most will reduce clearance at the rocker but as stated it won't change your overall ground clearance as there are lower things under the truck.
 
I installed Ionic running boards this weekend on my Limited, and was really concerned about reduced ground clearance. It looks low, but in front there is 10.75", in the rear 11"
 
I have OEM running boards on a 2011 SR5 (see my avatar pic, taken before upgrading tires and installing a lift). They seriously hurt ground clearance, especially in rocks. With the older SR5 low-hanging trim the brackets do hang down lower than the frame; and even if they didn't, they'd scrape in off-camber situations. I don't know about N-Fab bars, but they probably won't be much better.

I scraped the brackets so many times I actually bent the underside of my rocker panel. Now I take the time to take the boards and trim off before going off road, which is a huge hassle. Especially putting them back on with the bent mount point. And for what it's worth, the damage wasn't technically done off-road; it was a poorly maintained hunting road through a WMA with washouts and rock ledges.

If you have plans to go off road with rocks around, even if it's just on poorly-maintained back roads, don't get decorative steps. Spend a little extra money and get real structural rocker slides that can also function as steps. It will be my next upgrade. You can get structural slides that fit below the SR5 trim, but personally I plan on cutting the plastic trim to get as much clearance as possible. I'm looking at either a Shrockworks flat step of a C4 Fab raised step.

Check here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/195991-consolidated-slider-info-thread.html
 
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