I've seen/heard about people's rigs with the running boards removed, and they look pretty good with them off. However, in lieu of having rock sliders, don't the running boards provide some form of protection to the vehicle off-road?

 

A tiny bit, I suppose. But they are not heavy duty enough to take a real beating. Furthermore, I think your crossmember is just above the running board height, but the fuel tank is actually lower than your running boards, so if you land on something straight on, it will probably sit on your fuel tank, not your running boards. If you land on something at an angle though, they may help.

However if you do land on the running boards, rather than landing on your door sills, they will probably be all bent out of shape and you'll have to fix or replace them.

I like the look of 4Runners w/o running boards. I keep mine on because it's easier to climb in (I haven't bought sliders yet) and it keeps rocks/dirt/mud from being spit up at my doors (no front mud flaps). Eventually I'd like sliders & front mud flaps.

Well, that's all the "my opinion" info I have for you.

Al

 

The only protection the RBs provide off road is keeping your lower rocker panels ding free from rocks flying up since they cover that area and the stock mud flaps are built in at the ends in the front.

When you remove them, it is easier for rocks to fly up and cause chips.

This can be remedied from putting on mud flaps.
That will help out quite a bit.

But they do hang lower than sliderz, and are prone to getting crunched on a log or rock.
Sliderz provide better insurance against that and ruing your side panels.

Plus you can jack off :eek: from a rock slider, and you can not do that with a running board.

 

I was looking at how the running b.'s are set up, and it looks like if I remove them I'd still have the rear mud flaps, but would be missing the front, it would look weird with the plastic protector on the wheel well just ending abruptly. I'm assuming that you can get an OEM mudflap to put in place after the boards are gone?

 

I'm planning on removing my running boards as soon as I get some better looking tires. I think my 4Runner would look pretty lame with the running boards removed and my bald 235 tires still on there. :rolleyes: So, when I upgrade my tires/rims, RBs will be first to go. Then I'll have to do some mud flap finding.

The RBs on there don't seem to have much strength. I used to take my Runner down the road to a parts store to have my oil changed. Well, they must of tried to jack up my Runner by the RBs. I got home and noticed they were all bent up at both ends. :mad: Fixed it easy, but I'm never going back there again. Change the oil myself now.

If I had a 4x4, I'd definitely look into sliderz. They look so awesome.

Anyhow, that's my thoughts on that.
Have fun.
DH6twinotter

 

A lot of guys end up fitting the flaps from a T100 to the front. I haven't done that yet, I'm pretty much a pavement kind of guy. I'll do it "soon".

As for it looking weird, I was worried about that as well, but I didn't mind the look at all:

http://www.midiwall.com/4Runner/rb.html

One of these days I'll make good on my plans to repaint the silver "gun metal grey". Though after fighting through pulling one of the flares to replace my antenna, I dunno that I want to do that too many times.

 

Damn... it looks pretty sharp without, definitely gives the impression of more clearance. Maybe I could just put a couple Haulin' A** mud flaps, you know the ones with the chrome silhouette of babes on them? That would be sweet (in a Beavis and Butthead voice)

 

I had the same dilemma. Since I do go off-roading fairly often, and outrun the police on occasion (j/k) I wanted the boards off.
What I didnt know, is that they would be so hard to sell. I haven't tried ebay yet, but it looks like the 3rd gen boards aren't too popular, anywhere. I even saw one of the yota guys giving his away.

They do provide flying rock protection. And yes, you will be minus front flaps when they are removed. I found some good flaps at Pep Boys, modified them, and installed them for a total of $8.00.
I would be happy to post the pics if anyone is interested.

Ditching the boards:

Advantages: Wont get hung up off-road, - 40lbs, truck looks higher

Disadvantages: Cant sell them, they take up garage space, rocker panels are now exposed, need to buy front flaps

I hope that helps a bit. I say take em off if you go wheeling at all.

 

<96...,

Would definitely be interested in seeing picks. On my '98 I just have the black plastic trim, no worries about painting, so cheap = good in my book. Looks like I'll be taking them off this weekend!

 

I'd def. recommend gettting the mud flaps!! I took my runing boards off, because I got 265/75/16 tires, and they were rubbing a little :mad:

The first thing I noticed was how EASILY it got dirty from kicking up dirt/road debris/etc. on my front doors.

It's cool for offroading, because more of the truck gets dirty , but cleaning is a PITA!!!!

 

INS...

Did you put flaps on? Was getting dirty still a huge issue even with mudflaps?

 

Nope still haven't put the flaps on. I was "going to" but then I decided that I can live with it being dirty. Ideally I would like to, but $ for mudflaps could be saved for $ for ARB bumper

also, I got the Manik tube steps, and put those on (i got them from Ryan here allothernametakenso) they saved me in my last offroading excursion at the badlands. If you look at the pics, there's one of me climbing a small hill. It was small, butpretty steep, and I scraped my maniks a lot. I got them so they would be a little better than nothing there. They saved my rockers a coupletimes that trip!

 

Hey Mad Chem-

So you have the black SR5 flares then? Go to J.A.'s website and look under the tab for Additions 1, scroll down and you will see a description of the front splash guards and part numbers for the factory pieces that can mate with the SR5 flares. Then pick your favorite Toyota parts dealer and get a pair. I haven't done this yet, but its on my list. In the mean time, you could do as <96 Runner> suggested and pick up a cheap pair of mud flaps from pepboys, autozone, etc. for less than $10. Hope this helps.

 

Even if the RBs provide some protection (which they don't) then you'll still end up damaging the RBs, and they cost just as much as having to repair dented sheetmetal. Plus, they've been known to push into the sheetmetal anyways.

Steve

 

This is on my weekend to-do list. I've been toying with the idea for quite a while now, plus I want to have them off before next weekend @ Hollister.

People say they're really easy to take off, I assume there's just a few bolts to deal with but haven't looked yet.

 

I try and put the pics up of my $8 front mudflaps tomorrow.

And these actually look good!

 

I don't know about the whole clearance thing to be honest and yes, does it ever get dirty quickly. Here's a pic of mine w/o running boards on the last trip. Notice the dirt & notice how the crossmember & fuel tank show underneath.



*Sigh* I need a lift.

 

Jayson,

Just checked out J.A's site, will probably go ahead and order those, unless I can find something which looks close enough for cheaper.

To everyone else- what's your recommendations for sliderz (eg. where to get them, who makes them, etc.)

 

Mad, check out our Sliderz roundup here at YotaTech on the portal page.
https://www.yotatech.com/~corey/portal/portal.htm

Scroll down and you will see the article.

I have Badland Bumpers design, and I dig 'um.

Mine are kind of unique in it that they are welded on, but I can still take them off with just 3 bolts per slider.
You will see that in my write-up.

Jeff @ Badlands is a great guy, and so far since this forum came into existence, it's brought him a lot of business.

Seafairman has had sliders, rear bumper, and just recently a front bumper fabbed up by Jeff.

Jeff can paint them black for you, or powder coat them.
I recommend the powder coating as I just had mine done in October after taking them off and giving them to him for a week so his contact could do the powder coating to them.

The powder coating looks very sharp.

 

Thanks Corey- I was just looking at their site when I got your reply. Its only about an hour drive to their location, and I'm assuming that the installation doesn't take too long, assuming I have them do the powder-coating beforehand.

David