OEM steps question

My friend has these OEM running boards on his 2022 T4R and wants to take them off. This photo is right behind the drivers side front tire.

Can someone tell me if those bolt holes are supposed to have plugs in them after the steps are removed?

 

My 2021 ORP that didn’t come with steps or running boards has short bolts in those holes.

 

Good to know. Thank you!

Anyone have a part number for those OEM bolts?

 

You should be able to put the original bolts back in. If they’re too long, install a few washers.

 

I'm removing my running boards for sliders this weekend. I'll be putting them back in with a little antiseize. I'd suggest you do the same. When I trade it in I'll just put the running boards back on and sell the sliders

 

Put the bolts back in.


If you buy aftermarket steps they normally come with its own bolts. Atleast when I bought "Aries" running boards from Walmart, they came with its own bolts.

https://youtu.be/pXGz3iWez1s

 

Did you put washers in because the bolts are too long?

 

Did not remove the bolts on this 4Runner & can't remember how long was the bolts on my previous one

 

My friend wants to sell the steps with the installation bolts. And he doesn’t have the original bolts that presumably were in the holes to begin with.

So I wondered if I could get an OEM part number here so he can be sure he gets the correct size back in there.

 

Is this what you're lookin for?

Running Board Screw
Part Number: 51714-60010
Options: Left, Right
Other Names: Boss Step Arm Lower
Description: Without auto step.
Fits:

• Toyota:
  • 4Runner

https://parts.olathetoyota.com/oem-4runner-running-boards

 

Thanks. But I don’t think that’s it. I think that is a screw for assembling the running boards themselves. And the “running board bolt” on that page is for bolting the boards to the truck.

What I’m looking for (I think) are the smaller bolts that came in the bolt holes from the factory. Slightly shorter than the running board installation bolts.

Page 2, section B on this link says to “remove and discard OEM hex bolts” with a 13mm socket (before installing the running boards). Then the running boards have their own bolts for install.

So, it’s those OEM hex bolts I’m looking for.

http://toyotaparts.sparkstoyota.com/install/00016-89040inst-2016-4runner.pdf

 

The bolts that fill the holes on my 2021 that delivered without steps or running boards are size M8 - 1.25 x 24mm. They have a fully threaded shank, and are installed with one washer.

(not that it matters, but the bolts have a 12mm socket head and are self tapping)

 

Awesome. Thanks so much!!

 

That size/thread pitch hex head bolt is made in plastic/nylon if you’re concerned about rust.

 

I was able to source M8 - 1.25 x 25mm (and not 24mm as @TRD8 stated above). We will give them a try tomorrow. Should work, as I’m assuming the running board installation bolts are probably longer than the placeholder bolts anyway.

 

Just curious if anyone knows- why would Toyota have used self tapping bolts as the placeholder bolts? Can anyone speculate?

Best guess I could come up with was perhaps they’re easier for a robot to put them in place owing to the taper lol.

 

My service advisor told me that 4Runners come with non structural bolts to fill the holes as others posters have started.

I have N-Fab steps which overall I’ve been happy with. After removing the 3” lift this summer though, I really don’t need them and would like the cleaner look without them. But the wife relies on them and I do use them when I wash the car, so they will remain. Even without the lift the clearance at the bottom of the steps is about 12-13” which is enough for the stuff I do.

 

How did they work for you. Did you use washers and antiseize?

 

As Slopemaster stated, the bolts are not structural. Probably technically not a self tapping bolt, more like a self-aligning bolt for ease of installation.

 

Haven’t removed them yet. We will this afternoon. My friend said they’re really loud and I’d have to agree compared to my truck without the steps.

I drove his truck on the highway and there’s definitely a difference between his (with steps) and mine (without steps). His feels like you’re driving in a heavy wind.

Yes, we will use washers and anti-seize.

 

Took the steps off today. Bolts were a success. Thanks, guys.

The only thing I’d suggest- go up one size with the washer. The ones pictured above are just *barely* able to cover some of the holes.

 

If anyone is removing their predator tube steps and wants to fill the holes with OEM bolts, it looks like 90080-10083 is the part number to use.

I have a 2023 4Runner TRD Pro that came with the predator tube steps from the port. I compared what I saw under my truck to a stock SR5 that was delivered to the dealership without any running boards or tube steps. The bolts on the SR5 were flange head bolts, but did not come with any additional washers. I think Toyota may be interchanging what bolts they used based on what supply they have at the time, they are fairly generic M8 bolts. The bolts I removed from my predator tube steps had an integrated washer (they look like SEMS-type bolts that are sometimes marketed as "splash shield bolts"). I wanted to get the OEM SR5 bolts to put in the place of the longer SEMS-type bolts that came with the predator tube steps. I was able to find a parts diagram that shows the floor assembly, linked here. In this parts diagram, I found 91641-H0820, with a shown quantity of 12 and an indicator that this bolt is used "W/O (SIDE STEP)". Part number 91641-H0820 is superseded by a current part number 90080-10083, which can be purchased at any Toyota dealership. I had no problem ordering these and installing them on my 4Runner after removing my tube steps. They are flange head bolts and look similar to what I saw on the SR5.

Does anyone want to buy a practically new set of predator tube steps with hardware?

 

Can anyone tell me if the oem bolts that fill the holes when steps AREN'T ordered would work? I read above they are "non structural" but I dont know what that means. Are they different than the M8-1.25 x 25 bolts at a hardware store? I'm asking because I've been to 2 Home Depots, a Lowes, and an Oreilly and struck out at all.

 

Would work for what purpose?

 

Oh man, replied on the wrong thread. Sorry. Mine didnt come with running boards installed. I bought a set of takeoffs from an OR, but didnt they come with the mounting bolts.

 

Hey there,

So if you bought a 4Runner without steps from new, you would get a shorter bolt. Once you factor in the thickness of the plate where the step mounts, that bolt may end up being too short. I figure it would be, otherwise Toyota would have no reason to switch to a longer bolt (which is what comes on the 4Runner if bought with steps from new).

Back to your question, the bolts you need to source are SEMS bolts. SEMS bolts have an integrated washer or flangehead on the bolt to stop water from getting splashed into the bolt hole and sticking around. The SEMS bolt here has an overly large integrated washer, but you get the idea. You should be fine if you get a SEMS-type bolt of the correct length (accounting for the thickness of where the steps mount).

 

Lots of good info in this thread, Thanks for all who posted, I do have a question, does anyone know what the torque is for the bolts?

 

According to Toyota’s 4Runner running board installation instructions, the torque spec is 10 ft. lbs. (120 in. lbs.) for the bolts.

If you’re installing the bolts as “plugs” all you will need to do is tighten them enough so the don’t fall out.

 

Thanks!

 

Are you installing steps or just using the bolts as plugs?

Here is the installation guide for the predator tube steps. 23 n-m or 17 lb-ft.

Weirdly, if you are installing running boards and not predator tube steps, the torque spec is 14 n-m or 10 lb-ft (as stated above by @TRD8). Here is the installation guide for the running boards.