Ok, this is probably going to be a more unusual request.

Here's the deal:

My wife asked to have the runningboards taken off the truck (technically, it is HER truck) in order to have something easier to step on to enter / exit. She wants nerf bars.

I was happy to oblige her, and the 4Runner is much improved without the plastic runningboards. I hated everything about them...

So I had this plan (instead of the nerf bars) to install simple rock sliders and then modify them with additional brackets to hold some sort of drop step. (I'm not really sure what to call them; you see these steps on trucks with high lifts and big tires, and they hang down from bodyline about 6" or more....) The plan was to have these steps pinned / clipped in place so that they could be taken off easily to go wheeling, but re-installed again for everyday driving to keep my wife happy.

So I explain this idea to her dad, who right away agrees that the nerf bars aren't very friendly to step on, and aren't very durable. He likes my idea of the modified slider set-up.

I explain it all to my wife, who then proceeds to tell me that this was NEVER about the functionality of entering / exiting the vehicle, but more about asthetics. She thinks the nerfs are pretty, and told me I invented this whole idea that she wanted easier to get in / out of vehicle.

Trust me, I listened VERY carefully when she was telling me what she wanted, and functionality of entering the vehicle was her excuse for wanting the mods done.......

Seems I can't win. Again.

Anyone got any ideas on how to fab something up that will work for the both of us? She hasn't seen any pictures of my idea yet, and seems very set on nerfs.

If you've got something on your ride that you think fits the bill, please post a pic. Or post a drawing or a description of what you think I should do.

I want her to be happy, but I want something off-road capable as well.

Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have.

 

Nerf bars are non-functional sliders...as you can set up sliders to do the exact same thing.
We got sliders for 3rd gen 4Runners...several options...maybe you can get her to SEE what you mean.
http://www.wabfab.org/96024Runner/96...nersliders.htm

Besides...when did men start listening to their wives?

 

All is good now. I quoted some opinions from people on YT discussing nerfs vs sliders. She is convinced now that the sliders are the more practical choice.....

I really pushed their ability to jack from and potential benefits from a side collision (seems logical that they would offer additional protection.)

Chrome wasn't an option anyway, so once she realized also that sliders can look virtually the same as a nerf bar, she was on board.

Then I'll need some of those waskally wabbit hi-lift jack adapters (two: one for me and one for my neigbor's Heep.)

Then a front locker, Then TJM bumper, then custom rear bumper, then lift, and then....

No more 'and then's!'.......

Thanks, people!

 

Good choice. Function and form, the best of both worlds.

 

Sounds like you have it figured out, but scroll about 1/3 of the way down this link and check out the center pic of a 2nd Gen 4Runner with sliders installed.

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/RockSliderZ.shtml

There is a note that explains the user added a bolt on step for his wife, that can be removed for the trail. Seems like a novel idea that might work in your situation.

 

New plan, use your head. Wheeling your wifes truck is a horrible idea and a great way to usher in a divorce. If I did 1/4 to my wifes truck what I do to mine, I would find myself single ASAP.

 

I hear you. I'm really new to the 4WD scene, and I'm not into breaking things or getting myself stuck. I don't have a winch, and just basic recovery gear, in a truck that is pretty much stock.

I've only been out a couple of times (she was aware of her truck's intended use: just so we're clear) and stuck to very well groomed trails which didn't even require 4WD, just some added ground clearance.

Won't be doing any serious wheeling for at least a year, 'cause the 4Runner is one of our two daily drivers, and I wouldn't want to break it while my wife is going to school.

Anyhow, we would not end up divorced over a vehicle mishap. Besides, she's one up on me after nearly writing off MY truck 2 years ago.

 

You're married. What does happy have to do with anything?

 

I'm in the same dilemma, I hate the running boards, the wife thinks getting in is clumsy now.

So, I was thinking sliders, mounted higher than the stock boards, but make her side [ passenger side ] with a removable step, so she could get in easier.

I really think the stock boards are too high for easy access, she's only 5'2" but complains about it being hard to enter. Once she climbs on the board, then she has to bend down and weasel around to get in.

I'm 6'2" and just find the boards a PITA on either side.

 

hahaha

 

i fixed your post wabbit....

Dean on TTORA has the same setup your looking for on his DC taco. it folds up to be door protection on the trail, unclip, rotate, and its a step for in camp.


you can see them here... its a quick bolt to filp them down to be a step.

 

Dean's truck is sweet.

Did his bumper pee on you?

 

no it didnt pee on me. but i saw it in action

 

heres another slider idea
This is my Nissan Patrol in Australia.
Sliders are 150mmx50mm rectangle hss tube, mounted to chassis etc like tube sliders, you can jack off them, use them as side steps and they still look like some sort of side step, and they are STRONG.

http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x...t=DSC03382.jpg

 

You can jack off your sliders??

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Yes, I am a child.

 

your the jack off

 

get some trail gear sliders from bigcountrycustoms.com

 

I saw an FJ in CA with steps like this


http://www.fjcruiseraccessory.com/fj...side-bars.html

I have thought about doing something similar that would allow you to unbolt the steps from the sliders when you were going off road.