What happened to the CHROME "R3" Tube Steps

JohnJCronin · #1 (**permalink**) 12-06-2004, 11:38 PM

My '05 DC 4x4 will be in next week. When I went to add accessories, I was told that the "R3" Tube Steps (formerly made by GFX) are no longer chrome in the New England Region, they are painted silver. How come no more chrome? And now they are more flat like a running board instead of a tube.

Also, Tonneau Covers are no longer available in the New England region for Tundras or Tacomas??? I was in Florida last week and they have all kinds of neat factory accessories available that we don't up here...

Turn Signal Mirrors
20" Wheels for Tundra
CHROME Tube Steps....

JMT1 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-07-2004, 01:13 AM

never saw the chrome steps as well here on the west coast. the silver ones looked nice on the sema truck though. I am looking for a good deal on them first...dealer prices are a little too high for me. Good luck!

DG Custom Auto · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 11:45 PM

Are you guys talking about the factory "Challenger Boards"? They are a 5" oval tube step. Florida is considered Southeast Toyota, which is a different division of Toyota. Toyota is made up of Toyota of Canada, Toyota USA, Gulf States Toyota, and Southeast Toyota. Southeast Toyota and Gulf States tend to install more aftermarket accessories at the port. They tend to be more open to the add-ons and customizing of the Toyota products.

toyotadan04 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-21-2007, 11:06 AM

The tube steps made by DeeZee shown on the Toyota accessories web page are also discontinued now. Some of the posts complaining about holes not lining up properly must have been heard. My dealer said they are not selling the DeeZee kind until they fix those issues. It's a shame, they look good on the truck.

TS Support · #5 (**permalink**) 03-21-2007, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DG Custom Auto

Are you guys talking about the factory "Challenger Boards"? They are a 5" oval tube step. Florida is considered Southeast Toyota, which is a different division of Toyota. Toyota is made up of Toyota of Canada, Toyota USA, Gulf States Toyota, and Southeast Toyota. Southeast Toyota and Gulf States tend to install more aftermarket accessories at the port. They tend to be more open to the add-ons and customizing of the Toyota products.

Gulf States Toyota and Southeast Toyota are NOT part of Toyota. They are privately owned distributors of Toyota vehicles.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TMS) is the US sales, distribution, and marketing unit for Toyota Motor's Toyota, Lexus, and Scion brands.

Toyota Canada is the Canadian sales, distribution, and marketing unit for Toyota Motor's Toyota, Lexus, and Scion brands.

flyman767 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 11:34 PM

Here's the scoop on the R3 chrome steps. This is one of many of my issues I've had with Toyota. If you live anywhere except the Southeast region there not available. They are as previously mentioned made by "Challenger" and you can't order them directly from Challenger Corp. However; I was able to buy them from a Dealer in NC and have them delievered to my door. Price: $366.42 + 11.00(shipping) Total price $377.42. They charged no tax. I was not able to find a aftermarket that had the same looks as the Challengers: stainless chrome,wide-oval,off-road rugged style steps.The westins are similar but not as wide and the step inserts are much smaller.