what do you guys think with or without running boards?
if you remove them do you gain any clearance?

 

what i meant was, with for looks or without for clearence? was that a stupid question?? lol

 

Without for clearance AND looks!

 

what they said. it will look much better and get you better clearance.

 

That's what I want to do. Remove running boards and the factory tow package. For looks and weight savings on my 94 2x4 runner.

 

Looks better without the running boards but then you have to look at your gas tank. Im looking into a gas tank relocation.

 

- your running boards + some sliders

 

On the 2nd gens, yep, looks better w/out the boards and does gain some clearance.
On trucks like my 1st gen 4Runner which didn't come with running boards but some (like me) have aftermarket... doesn't hurt ground clearance at all (mine are no lower than the frame rails) but may interfere with tire clearance with larger tires and no lift. On mine, I think they help the overall look of the truck since I have 30" tires (actually, just a little bit taller but not enough to call 31") and a 4" suspension lift and it'd look totally dorky were it not for the running boards. And good luck to Sin91 if she tried to get in it without the boards.

 

I really like my factory running boards and agree that it would look dorky/skinny or to thin without them.I stand or step on mine often to reach roof and windshield.Its a matter of style.

 

2nd gen running boards are a joke. I wear a size 11 and I can only get my toes on that thing. I would have ditched them long ago were it not for the casket of a gas tank. I even painted it black to see if that helped any. After a week of having them off I had to suck up my pride and put them back on.

 

I wear 11 also and have no problem,my running boards are black and factory.

 

I took mine off, along with the wheel well trim and mud flaps. Looked better with 28" streets, and a hell of a lot better with 33" muds.

 

I took mine off because I kept getting stuck on rocks, and they got bent to hell, my opinion is that my 2nd gen looks much better, and has better clearance, so I see no reason to leave them on!!

 

I took mine off due to rust since I live in the Northeast. For some reason when you take them off the 4Runner looks lifted. I get asked all the time if mine is and it's not....yet

 

Snow and mud tend to accumulate on them when you're deep in it, that was a big reason for me.

 

My 1st gen looked so much better when I took off the aftermarket running boards. And rather than giving them away on CL, i'm putting them up as shelves in my garage...pics to come.

 

the only downside of taking the boards off of a 2nd gen is that they do provide a lot of protection from rocks flying out of your tires and chipping up the paint on the doors. but take them off, looks way better

 

Besides, if you're worried about the paint on your yoter... well let's just say your priorities are a bit off

 

Took mine off, never looked back, sliders in route soon I hope Even made my 28" tires look bigger, has to work till I can get some funds and bigger setup.

 

Hey red,hows that royal purple workin out?....Ive got 233K on my 3VZE and am thinking of oil upgrade.