I need to get a step for my wife to have easier entry/exit into my Tundra. The dealer has factory running boards that are color keyed. From what I understand there are some sheet metal screws used in the mounting process. Other after market tubes (Bushwacker for example) bolt on and do not use sheet metal screws. I don't want any drilling to possibly cause rust in the future.
Should I opt for the factory boards or get the bolt on tubes? Any suggestions???
You might find more info on these things in the Aftermarket Accessories forum, or do a search from your search button at the top right hand menu-bar of most TS pages.
I too thought about the factory color-keyed running boards. They are very nice. Unfortunately, they are very expensive as well. They run about $700.!!!
I opted for a set of tube step/nerf bars for a coupla hunnerd bucks from Carson Toyota.
I couldn't be happier. They are easy to use, easy to mount (pre drilled holes in frame...bolt goes through, nut em off and ratchet em down) and in addition to the step, they provide an additional bonus...
Door ding protection! Clueless fools who absentmindedly fling open their doors in the parking lot/space next to me end up invariably hitting my nerf bars which dents their door, but doesn't touch my truck's body, or even leave a paint transfer on the tube steps.
I opted to get the Waag bars, rather than the color-keyed ones myself. The color-keyed ones are nice, but expen$ive! I got the ones they call the "wheel to wheel" steps, that include a third step by the bed. I love em! They bolted on to the frame, no drilling involved. And they're very solid. I'm a big guy, and they hold my weight easily.
And like EDJ said, they form a nice extra door-ding guard.
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Genthar
Rhino Lining, Waag one piece grille guard and wheel to wheel nerf bars, 3M Xpel on headlights, front corner lights, and foglights, Valentine One radar detector, XM Satellite radio, Navigon 7100 GPS, Lightforce 240 Blitz aux lights, Aux. reverse lights.
AEM Brute force intake, courtesy of AEM Power and TundraSolutions.com
Teamwest Coilovers, Camburg Upper A arms, Daystar Steering Rack Bushings, Total Chaos Diff Drop spacer, JBA Headers, Y-Pipe, and EVOL exhaust.
I opted for the Toyota Chrome Tube step .. the Toyota is the only one that I've seen that uses one long black step instead of the two seperate ones, therfore adding to and not breaking up the horizonal lines of the Tundra
I just mounted a used set of factory running boards on my 2002. The mounts use some pre-drilled and tapped holes , but the far front and far rear brackets each require the use of 2 self drilling + tapping screws in their installation. the self drillers can be sealed during installation with silicone. the front ones were easy with a 1/2" drill used as a nut driver, but the rear ones are very far up under the truck and really require a right angle drill/driver for installation.
The problem with the factory boards is that they do not project far out and are easy to slip off. They are also fairly light weight, being made of aluminum channel covered by an ABS plastic sheath. on the other hand they don't project out and blend into the contours of the truck well. They are also paintable, being plastic. mine were originally white, I stripped off the covers and repainted them black.
Best thing to do is have your wife try them out before buying if possible.
your call.
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My Baby.......
.......a little old, but it's paid for.
I added the factory running boards to mine about a year and a half ago. Installation is just as TundRoss describes below and the factory paint was a perfect match.
I'm very happy with them. Here in the mountains we get a lot of mud and snow. I don't like the "nerf bar" or "round tube" styles because they load up with mud, but the factory boards keep the crud on the bottom and off the sides of the truck.
Thanx for the tips. I've decided to go with Stainless nerf bars (Back Country) because they mount on the truck with no drilling. Here in NH alot of salt is used in the winter and with drilled holes rust will soon follow. For a $100 bucks more than the factory running boards I get the bars and a good hinged tonneau cover.
I'll let you know how they fare and if my wife balks at them--
I had the factory installed step. What i found was that I could not get my foot on there comfortably. I took them off and put on the after market tubing. I LOVE THEM! Not only are they easier to get a better footing on them. they sit lower off the truck so I don't have to step up as high to get my foot on there. the after market tubes I have bolted on. they have been tight and in place for 1 year now. Did I mention I LOVE THEM. Plus they look cool.....
Emily POOKIESUMR@JUNO.COM
By the way......I have not posted my new pics of my truck, as you can see these are the old sucky steps...
__________________ Em
Last edited by Pookiesumr; 04-17-2008 at 01:41 AM.
Reason: Update
Factory Running Boards or Not?
Em
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