Well, to be honest, im ashamed to say that I dont really like it!

I know that with larger tires ect, it will look much better, and I do have a 4crawler 2" on the way. I just thought I would share this thought.

I think it makes my SR5 4X4 look like a base model.

Lift and tires improve this 100%, im quite sure.

 

dont be, thats what makes us different. and thats a good thing.

 

like ric says...dowhatchalike. most people remove em because theyre just gonna get bashed on the rocks, and of course they remove em to replace with sliders. if you use em to step on getting in and out, then you'll miss em till you get sliders. i found it much easier to get in/out especially with two yoots which i have to pick up & strap into their car seats.

its not the running boards that'll make it look base..its the dinky wheels with 255 street rubber which your truck doesnt have...so i wouldnt sweat it!

btw..the pic you posted has the boards on..

 

Wheres the pic without the running boards????

 

After taking my running boards off, everybody would swear I lifted my truck at least a few inches, yet I haven't done any suspension mods to my car.

 

I put nerf bars but would never leave it bare because you can see the ugly bottom.

 

i had the same delima when i just recently took mine off. you see it everyday and are used to it. go and look at any other truck/suv and you'll see the bottom there too just like yours. i think that your just used to seeing them on, i was but it looks much more agressive off and all i have are the sissy stock shoes!!! i took em off cause im goin offroading this tomorrow and didnt want to damage them!

 

I had the exact same thoughts. I took one side of mine off and hated it, so i put it back on. I will probably replace them with sliders eventually, i just didnt like seeing the underbody of the car.

 

I took mine off and really love the look(see my avatar) especially with the bushwackers. Do need larger tires though.

 

You should post a pic without the r-boards on so we can compair.

It looks like you wheel your Runner so taking them off is going be a real benefit to you.

Like already stated sliders will make it seem more finished along the rocker panels.

 

What size tires are those? AT or MT? I have the same Runner and I'm upgrading tires next pay check. Those look great.

 

Thanks for the posts, guys. I took it outside and got a better look at it without the running boards. Still cannot decide, but it looks better outside from a distance than upclose in the garage. The point of my posted photo is that I dont think the boards being installed look too bad.

98runn'n, the tires are 265 75/16 BFG Mud Terrain. IMO, the best tire in the world.

Ecc, you bet I wheel the runner!!!

 

When i first took mine off, I didnt like it either...

Now i do!

 

I could tell and I DIG that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Off

 

It's because of those tiny chrome moldings they put on our early 4runners (I'm in the same boat). Get a set of the black fender flares that come on the later models and it look awesome without running boards!