Opinions Wanted

I was thinking about replacing the stock running boards with a set from GoRhino but the longer I stared at my 4 Runner the more I thought that it would look better without any.

Anyone not have running boards and like the look of it?

 

They look great without runners

 

If its for looks, opinions really dont matter, except yours. You have to live with it.

If you are lifting it and need a proper step to get in, the GoRhino units are pretty nice.

If its a mall crawler, there is no wrong answer.

If it sees some decent offroading, then which ever provides better slider protection would be the right choice.

The only real reason to remove them all together is that it visually makes the rig look even more lifted from the side, plus you lose about 50-75lbs of weight.

 

I was just wondering is all. It hit me out of left field and I’m just seeing what others here think. Obviously, there is no wrong answer. Everyone likes different things. I appreciate your response.

 

I've had actual real sliders and removed them because I like it better without.

 

Personally I like how it looks without the boards. If anything I think sliders would be OK because they are tighter to the body, depending on the design give you some kind of step and if you do go off road they protect the rockers.

 

I like mine either way. But...the steps are helpful as I am only 5'3"

 

I did not like the look of mine without steps. I don't need them to get in/out of the vehicle but I am just short enough that they are great when I'm washing it, and when I have to use a cargo box on the roof. I went with a set from NFAB

 

They definitely look better without, especially on vehicles like older Land Cruisers or Sequoias that had them built in. But if you need them, they're functional, so I guess it depends on what your needs are.

Something like those N-Fab steps are a good compromise, because they look better than running boards, but they are still functional.

 

N-Fab steps came with my 4R. I only use them when washing the car, but the wife uses them for sure. The forward steps would be more useful if they were positioned several inches aft.

 

Looks better without and easier to get in without IMO. Running boards are always in the wrong place, like I either have to take a giant step over them or a tiny step onto them, followed by a tiny step into the truck while I hunch my back to not hit the roof with my head. I'm not a monster either, 5'11" with a 32" inseam. I guess you if you are a dwarf or midget or whatever the PC term is for a child sized adult then maybe they're useful...?

 

It looks great without them!

 

I like my Aries AeroTread5" Running Boards as it was much closer to the body / no gap seen. By the time I bought them it was dirt cheap, $229.40 total.
https://youtu.be/pXGz3iWez1s

I love RSG sliders more as it provide me protection (in case) and it has the little larger area in back because of the kickout that helps my kiddo and doggo to get in and out easily.
https://youtu.be/uUCnlJVStE8

 

I love mine without running boards. My first one had them and I didn’t think much about it. They came in handy when washing the roof. My 2nd one didn’t have them and I learned to love it that way. When I bought my new one, I intentionally picked one out that didn’t have running boards.

 

Mine came with them installed. I've been having some sciatic nerve issues lately and they've been a blessing for me to ease entering and exiting my 4R.

 

I would have to agree with you. If all I had to worry about was me, I wouldn’t have any steps. I like the clean look.

I was concerned that removing the lift would make the N-Fab nerf bars hang too low, but it looks ok. The factory mud flaps still hang lower than the steps.

I briefly considered sliders, but spending nearly a $1000 to add around a hundred pounds just to have a step doesn’t pass the logic test for me. Sliders serve an important purpose for many off road enthusiasts but I don’t think at this point I fit the mission profile.

 

Mine came with running boards, I took them off and sold them since I preferred the look without and I never used them to get into the 4R. Like someone above said, they got in the way more often than they helped. The running boards did help with washing the roof and loading/unloading stuff on my roof rack but not a big deal, I can open a door and step onto the ledge to get better access to the roof if I need to.

 

*****Running boards also helped me small rocks and dirt hitting the side of the body on gravel / dirt roads..

 

I like my sliders but they have drawbacks. The 4nunner looks better without to my eye because it makes it look higher. I chose angled sliders vs straight mainly for cosmetic reasons, because they look a bit tighter to the body.

They are nice to have for off road protection, and to access the roof. So I dont want to get rid of them. But they are another maintainance item. One year of road and off-road use has compromised the powdercoat all over the underside, due to rock chips. Theres already a bunch of rust underneath large areas every place it was chipped.

 

Agreed about maintenance. Just recoated mine. But at least the 4runner is still drivable without them. And it switches up the overall look.

 

I took the running boards and roof rack off. I don't use either. Looks sportier (word?) to me.

Need to update my avatar but chalk that up to me being old and lazy.

 

If you have no use, off. That said, I love my sliders, yes they cost more than steps/running boards, but d rather have something connected to my frame versus the body. The running boards on my taco just never felt secure when using them to do roof shit. The sliders, I jump up and down on and have no concern using them for roof shit.

 

My wife is 5"3 and was dead set on ripping out my console. She used that as leverage to climb in the truck. I'm sure the steps were cheaper than a new console!

 

Not the best views, but shows a 3-way comparison...

Predators:


Nothing:


RSG sliders:

 

I use my GreenLane 0 degree sliders as steps all the time, but I agree the truck looks better without them. My wife appreciates them for entry/exit, so they stay on. I did have a set of the NFab things on there for a few months, and I must have clipped my shin on them a dozen times.

 

I would not have them if I did not need them. My Dad who fishes with me definitely needed a step of some sort.

I wanted the predators initially but he damn near killed himself getting into one on a test drive. So I got the aluminum accent one. Maybe someday I will change out but the look grew on me.

 

I think they add a very nice accent to your 4Runner.

 

Thank you. For the guys considering the predator steps I have noticed here in the Midwest anyway that as noted by someone earlier they seem to chip and rust quickly. I am sure it’s exacerbated by our salt and winter weather.

You guys out west or down south would have better wear and tear I would think.

 

I'm a huge fan of the trail edition running board. These sit pretty tight to the body and look pretty good on the runner. My 5'2" wife definitely appreciates them. As for me it does kind of get in the way, but not a huge issue. Can't justify sliders for my use case just yet.

I hate the predator steps. My cousin has a taco with pred steps and my foot slipped on them on a rainy day. Left a sizeable gash. Never again.