Running boards

I've never had a truck with running boards before and I'm not sure I really need them, has anyone considered just taking them off?

Tex7432 said:

I've never had a truck with running boards before and I'm not sure I really need them, has anyone considered just taking them off?

Click to expand...

Your paint says keep them on.

Easy enough to remove but you may find them to be a nice addition. They keep rocks and debris of the paint, help prevent parking lot door dings, etc.

Although these aren't rock sliders, there have been more than a few times that my running boards saved the sides of my truck. Haven't broke them yet, but I would have done some serious damage to the rockers without them. Easier to replace one of them than to get a bunch of body work done.

And, as mentioned above, they will save the paint on the sides of your truck. Heck, I've got rock chips up close to my window trim now. Can't imagine what it would be like without the boards.....

so it sounds like using them to get in and out of the truck is pretty low down on the list of their actual functions

Tex7432 said:

so it sounds like using them to get in and out of the truck is pretty low down on the list of their actual functions

Click to expand...

That is a bonus. lol

Tex7432 said:

so it sounds like using them to get in and out of the truck is pretty low down on the list of their actual functions

Click to expand...

LOL. I use mine everyday to get in and out of the truck. Guess I should have mentioned that added benefit......hahahahaha

SilverBolt said:

Easy enough to remove but you may find them to be a nice addition. They keep rocks and debris of the paint, help prevent parking lot door dings, etc.

Click to expand...

I really want to take mine off, but this has been the sole thing keeping me from doing it. The truck really does look nice without them until you get tons of rock dings on your doors.

In order to make it possible for my 5'2" wife to climb in and out of the new truck, I will be installing Amp Research PowerSteps. Have them on my current FX4 and they're really nice. So much better positioned for actually getting in and out of the truck than the factory provided Ford running boards which were so damn high that you couldn't wiggle your toes in between the boards and the base of the truck, making them almost worthless as an entry/exit aid.

Now, that being said, and fully recognizing that I'm removing the stock running boards and exposing the sides of my truck to debris strikes, I'll also be doing a full wrap of the lower door and fender panels as quickly as it can be scheduled, in hopes of minimizing damage over the long run.

It might not be the right answer for everyone, but it will keep my wife from complaining about the new truck every time she gets in or out of it, and will prevent me from having to run around with a tiny step stool as well ;p

i was planning on getting PPF applied anyway so i may go ahead and take them off once it's done. i think it'll look better without them. if i ever need to give short people a ride, well...