Running Boards for function or just looks - be honest

[TRD Pro or Die Trying]

First, let me start by saying this. I have no problem at all with making additions/changes to your rig for just aesthetic purposes. I'll give you an example. I now have a deposit on a TRD Pro (yeah!!), and one of the first things I'm going to do is get the red recovery/tow hooks just because they look cool. I have no intention of using them, but they look cool.

So, now let's talk running boards. I currently have a 4Runner Limited with running boards and I actually use them one time a year when I put our Christmas tree up on our roof. That's it. I'm 6'1". My wife is 5'9". We don't actually use them to step in/out of our car.

The TRD Pro that I have a deposit on does not have any running boards on it. I don't think we would use running boards if we had them to step in/out of the vehicle and wouldn't need them for the limited off roading we will be doing.

So, here's my question to my fellow 4Runner enthusiasts, especially TRD Pro owners. Do you believe a TRD Pro looks 'naked' and not complete without any running boards? Or, do you like the look without running boards (assuming you wouldn't really be functionally using them)? Interested in your opinions.

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[Rotor-RPM]

The running boards on my SR5 are great at deflecting gravel and mud away from the bottom of my doors. I’ve been on a 10 day road trip with daily gravel/mud/dust and even with the mud-flaps they are really helping.

 

[Salukidawg]

Current Gen 5 owner and my current 4Runner didn’t come with running boards or predator steps. I never missed having them until I needed to take my elderly mom somewhere and actually had to get a step stool so she could pull herself up into the vehicle. Granted it doesn’t happen often and I certainly don’t need sidesteps but I can see times where they come in handy. For me I will definitely be getting them on my 6th Gen when the time comes. As another poster said, they’re good at deflecting rocks from hitting the lower door even if you don’t need it to step in and out of the vehicle.

 

[HVLA]

Running boards, not rock sliders, would look absolutely hideous on a Pro. Do not add them.

 

[beuermant]

If you’re using the roof rack for anything they can also be helpful. You can also use the tires or open the doors and stand on the floor bed, but the running boards adds ease.

 

[John2112]

You would want rock sliders on a TRD Pro if you're anything other than a mall crawler. Personally I think running boards look silly on any 4Runner but especially the TRD Pro, meant to be an off-roader. Running boards don't really do anything to protect your vehicle off-road and they will end up bent. The rock sliders that come on the Trailhunter are functional and bolted to the frame. Those Rock sliders would look good on a TRD Pro and be useful .

 

[Ovrhill]

We have a set of LC takeoffs on our SR5. Basically the same as the 4R OR running boards.
The jury is still out on this one for me. I do use the boards for entry and exit most of the time. But, they do seem to be in the way and useless at times.
I do think that they do offer some level of protection from door dings and road debris. And, they look pretty darn good as well.

 

[Dr_Al]

If you live where there's lots of dirt roads they work great for getting mud on the back of your pants when you get out of the vehicle. As for looks, my Tundra came with them and it makes it look like it's closer to the ground than it is. If my wife would let me they would be gone long ago. They do keep the doors from mud being thrown on them from the tires but a good set of mudflaps do that.

Congrats on the Pro. I'm waiting until next spring (or if I can't wait late winter) before I pull the trigger on a Pro. Hopefully by then they will be easier to come by. I just wish there was more color choices. I kind of want to stand out a bit.

 

[bkw777]

my wife, her mom, and my mom all need some kind of step. I hate the look of anything at all down there but the trd cast aluminum are the least awful.

If I did much actual off road I would want rock sliders which mount to the frame, not any of the running boards which all mount to the body.

 

[coloradomarmot]

First, let me start by saying this. I have no problem at all with making additions/changes to your rig for just aesthetic purposes. I'll give you an example. I now have a deposit on a TRD Pro (yeah!!), and one of the first things I'm going to do is get the red recovery/tow hooks just because they look cool. I have no intention of using them, but they look cool.

So, now let's talk running boards. I currently have a 4Runner Limited with running boards and I actually use them one time a year when I put our Christmas tree up on our roof. That's it. I'm 6'1". My wife is 5'9". We don't actually use them to step in/out of our car.

The TRD Pro that I have a deposit on does not have any running boards on it. I don't think we would use running boards if we had them to step in/out of the vehicle and wouldn't need them for the limited off roading we will be doing.

So, here's my question to my fellow 4Runner enthusiasts, especially TRD Pro owners. Do you believe a TRD Pro looks 'naked' and not complete without any running boards? Or, do you like the look without running boards (assuming you wouldn't really be functionally using them)? Interested in your opinions.

I’m getting RCI rock rails installed, but with the 5 degree cant and plates on top. Dual-function. I wouldn’t put regular running boards on, because they’re not strong enough to handle rocks, but need something because my wife is short, and definitely needs them.

 

[Chicane]

I have a Sport model and purchase the TRD cast alloy on the July 4th sale for $840 OTD. I certainly wouldn’t pay 1200-1299 before tax. IMHO these look the best and are more low profile. At 6’ with long legs, I will never use them and the plastic ones on the OR model hit the back of my calves, as others have mentioned. My wife may need to use them and the one or two times my elderly Mom may need to ride in my truck, I’ll have them, maybe. I can always use a portable step for Mom. I haven installed them yet and I’m still on the fence about it. The auto ones that (aren’t out for the 6 gen yet) seem to be the most user friendly for shorter people, as the hang down farther and are in a more natural position. Kind of like the predator step height, but I don’t like the predator looks.

 

[Everybodyduck]

I have the auto boards, and they function well. There is an option to keep them folded if the look or step bothers you.

 

[MikeD]

TRD ORP came with them. I like the look and use them to step in almost every time. (5'9")
To each their own! (I would get sliders if I were doing a lot of off-roading but the boards survived a trip up Walter's Gap (George Washington National Forest) yesterday.)

 

[SouthCoast]

If they're not electric, I don't want them. Most fixed boards are either too high or too low for me. I don't need sliders, so that's irrelevant.

 

[bakutheleo]

My ORP came with them. I do not mind the look at all (and, honestly, I do not care much about looks and do not generally do mods just for looks) but think they look fine. I use them every time, just easier. I am sure I could get in fine without them, but my wife has enough trouble even with them. They are quite sturdy, although on a recent off-road trip I already bent one of the mounts a little (no functional damage, but I heard it!). I do not feel it is very detrimental to its off-road capabilities, especially as I use it (no major rock crawling, just like to be outdoors in fun/quiet areas). I suspect too, as others have mentioned, they likely help a lot with stuff thrown up at the bottom of the body panels.

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