2020 factory running boards are much too narrow

I saw a similar thread about 2017 4Runner running boards being too narrow, and I see that Toyota hasn't listened to complaints. I've had 3 4Runners since 1995, and the running boards were great! And I used them all the time. But the running boards on the new 4Runner are useless, and they may even be hazards. There is more of the running board under the truck than is available to use.

Perhaps some designer somewhere in headquarters thought wider boards interfered with the lines.

I will need to buy 3rd party running boards because Toyota's are worthless.

I'd appreciate recommendations on third-party running boards.

 

I did not find that to be true on my 2017 SR-5 P , there was very good foot room on those in my opinion.

 

That's great, and those are very nice running boards. About half the width of the boards on my 4Runner are under the body of the truck. I just measured, and I have 3 inches of space on my running board. That accommodates only the toe of my shoe. That's not space enough for a comfortable step up, and it amounts to no help at all when stepping down coming out of the truck.

I expected the generous space on my old 2005 4Runner and the 1995 model before it.

Enjoy your running boards!

 

Mine came with the predator tube steps and while they look cool I will eventually change them out to something better like a slider. I'm waiting for my first shin hit on the step I have, I know its going to be painful lol

 

have you looked at a powered step, they seem to have a lot of clearance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKdHy7u-GoE

 

Westin Pro Traxx 5. They are solid as can be for just being steps. I have no regrets and my 77 year old mom can get in and out just fine.

https://www.westinautomotive.com/pro-traxx-5-oval-nerf-step-bars/2018/toyota/4runner

 

aroyalsfan how did you paint your wheels?

 

What you trying to do surf on them?

I can easily step on mine with boots on.

 

Just purchased new 2020 4 Runner SR5 Premium, came with factory running boards. I haven’t noticed them too narrow yet but they do tend to capture dirt and debris from the rear wheels. Noticed little piles of dirt, mud, rocks etc. collecting on the end closest to rear tire.
The drain holes don’t seem to work were very well always a puddle of water left in the recesses. Hasn’t been cold enough to freeze yet but they could pose a problem.
Anyone seen a mud flap for the forward wheel well that Is designed to prevent this.

 

I don't know if it fits but my Off Road came with front mud flaps.

Not sure if the SR5 comes with um or not.

 

My 2017 SR-5 came with them.

 

I too found the running boards much to narrow for the 2020 4Runner Limited. My husband solved the problem by ordering brackets by Westin which allowed us to drop the board a bit and pull out further. You can now fit your foot on the board and no longer feel like you'll fall.

 

Mine are OEM and zero issues. They have a nice rubber no slip surface.

 

The 2020 LIMITED has a skirt that blocks the running board only giving about 3 inches. Most is underneath and does not provide safe stepping. The Westin brackets allow enough space as in the SR5.

 

Good to know.....I guess the Limited is a different story......

 

I have a 2020 4Runner that did not come with running boards and about to buy them now. The 6” boards that come standard on the SR5 Prem are great. I have done an enormous amount of research on what the best boards are and have checked them out in person. So many are 5”, which are useless. Others are so thin that when you press on them with your hand, they flex. The OEM anodized boards are superior to anything I have seen. The top of the board is rubber so you won’t slip when they are wet, which you will do with plastic boards

 

Can anyone post the part numbers of the Westin brackets that are used on the Limited 4Runner to allow more room for your feet but still using the original running boards. That’s for year 2018 on mine. These brackets apparently lower and push out the boards enough to make them a bit more functional.

 

I’m replying to make this easy to find in case someone gives you the answer lol

 

https://sleeoffroad.com/products/sok1320/

Something to consider - a good set of slider steps. Good off road protection, not to mention the often overlooked benefit of sliders is the tremendous side protection they offer after being T-boned. I plan on eventually getting these.

Edit - I just read you have a Limited, which these won't work on, but I'm sure other companies offer slider steps for a Limited.

 

$1185 plus shipping, that is one expensive slider. Looks good but to much coin

 

Never liked them, flimsy and not a great step location.

Installed Smittybilt sliders, and I'm very happy. Price was right, they are sufficiently protective for the delicate rocker panels, and they were available locally. Step location is perfect for me.

There are plenty of nice heavier duty and more elegant choices out there, but at greater expense.

 

Not sure they fit the Limited as I see you have a TRD. Thanks for the reply.

 

Don't know about on a Ltd. They do instal easily with KDSS on a TRD OR.

 

I have a 17 Limited and I just had a local dealer order/install the OEM running boards (PT925-89110) and sadly I have the same problem where the boards are basically useless because they are too close to the vehicle and tucked underneath which makes the exposed width inadequate. Based on this thread, specifically the comments from NurseLes, and a lot of digging, I found these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Westin-For...nting-Brackets-27-1945/223507803611#vi-ilComp

I will post back once I have them and can confirm that they solve the problem, but based on the photos and the shape of them I am optimistic.

Heads up - cchopm, steuny

PS - this is my first time on the forum, sorry that I have not yet figured out how to reply directly to people or tag people in my replies

 

Thanks for your post. I found the same brackets from Westin but so far have not received confirmation from Westin, Nurseles, or other source that will confirm that these brackets fix our issue. I decided to wait until such time as someone confirms that these brackets (

$107 27-1945 Running Board Mount Kit

27-1945) work. I see the link on EBay is sold out but they are available elsewhere. I live in Canada with Westin dealers close by. Hope to hear from you once you have them installed. Sorry to have you be the guy to try it but I was hoping Nurseles would have replied by now.

 

I just added factory ones to my TRD OR, needed something for my kids to be able to climb in (and the wife). These stick out farther than any other running board I have ever had on any of my other vehicles, lol.

 

Unfortunately the Limited has a thicker rocker panel and these type of running boards do not easily mount on the Limited. The TRD’s don’t have it and all the ones the fit on the TRD do not fit the Limited.

 

That is an interesting shape for a slider. is it possible to show how its connected underside?

 

I was lucky to get Aries 5" Running Boards from Walmart for $230. It was pretty good as a step.

https://youtu.be/pXGz3iWez1s

 

I installed the Westin (

$107 27-1945 Running Board Mount Kit

27-1945) brackets on my 17 Ltd with the OEM boards yesterday and I'm happy with the results.

I can now fit my foot both parallel and perpendicular to the vehicle on the board. I wear size 10.5, and with running shoes on my foot fits between the board and the trim without touching the trim.

The job was easy but time consuming for me for a few reasons:

1. I had nothing to lift the 4runner off the floor so I was crawling around on my back
2. I used a hand tool
3. I had to remove the dealer-installed OEM brackets to begin the job

The dealer's prior work did save me a bit of time though because the boards were already assembled and the squared-header bolts were already set in the slats. These are the bolts that connect the boards to the brackets.

All in the job took 2.5 hours and that included set up, some unrelated tidying of the garage here and there, a quick snack break, and clean up at the end.

Photos below. The OEM brackets have the matte finish and the Westin brackets the glossy. You can see the Westin brackets are a bit longer. You can also see that the Westin brackets have slats instead of holes which allows more flexibility to move the boards away from the vehicle. I set mine as far away from the vehicle as possible.