Remove the factory running boards or no?

[peterson1604]

My Ranger came with the factory running boards and I'm debating whether I should remove them or not. I don't need them to get in and out of the truck and the only purpose they serve is for looks and the possibility protecting the lower rocker from getting road rash.

Those of you without running boards on your truck, have you noticed any chips and road rash on the lower rockers? Is the chip guard down there heavy enough to protect it?

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[slowmachine]

I won’t have them where the roads are salted in snowy weather. Snow/ice/slush builds up behind them and causes body and frame rust.

 

[peterson1604]

I won’t have them where the roads are salted in snowy weather. Snow/ice/slush builds up behind them and causes body and frame rust.

That's good to know, I live in the Upper peninsula of Michigan so we get plenty of snow and salt on the roads.

 

[Frenchy]

I don't have any running boards on my truck and I haven't had any issues for road rash. The only downside I have is the fact that it's a little trick to get in the truck since I put a lift on it with bigger tires. If you do plan on going off-road I would recommend getting rid of the running boards and going with rock sliders. Other than that I can't say much else

 

[GregM]

That's good to know, I live in the Upper peninsula of Michigan so we get plenty of snow and salt on the roads.

Scott I like mine but wish they stuck out about another inch. As far as winter time they all are catchers of snow and debris But that's what car washes or by hand is for.
They are also great for stupid people who just open their doors freely.

 

[geophb]

I don't have them and don't like them. Ill never run them.
They are rather ugly IMO. They do get packed with snow. Ive also seen them bent or ripped off because a 300lb person put their whole weight on it. Granted those were a bit rusty underneath.

^These don't get slick in the winter. I have gotten out of trucks with cheapo running boards in the winter and slipped and fell. Go from standing to spread eagle in milliseconds. No joke.

 

[peterson1604]

Decided to take the running boards off for the winter and store until spring time. They come off and on pretty darn easy so I'll hold on to them as I like the way they look. However with the amount of snow we get in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and massive quantities of salt they throw on the roads here I'd rather not have them rotting out the underside.
Could have had both sides off in about 15 minutes but it took about a half hour as I kept getting interrupted to throw the dang tennis ball for Finn. ?

 

[Deleted member 1634]

If you end up not wanting them, I'll take them off your hands. haha We head over to the UP quite often year round. I grew up there so we're well versed in the area.

As far as the idea of running boards go. My main reason for wanting a set is to help protect the rocker panels. Secondary reason is to help our dogs get into the truck after long tiring hikes. Tertiary reason is to help with putting things on the roof and scraping the windshield.

I've run into quite a bit of road rash on the rocker panels already. 1.5 years old, 29000 miles. I ended up bedlining the rocker panels to help with that. And that definitely does, but I'm still looking into running boards to add even more protection, especially if I could get a set for less than from the dealer. haha

As far as the salt/snow/ice build up. I can see that maybe being a problem for those who don't ever clean them out. But it's not that hard to clear it with your foot or the snow brush when cleaning off the rest of the truck. And the addition of mudflaps, which I also have, helps keep that stuff down a bit as well.

In the end it's up to you what you want to do, but as I said, if you don't want them I'll take them off your hands for a reasonable fee.

 

[steveK]

Removed running boards and painted the pinch weld black. Picture is with 700 lbs of pellet fuel loaded.... In my opinion that load gives the perfect stance.

 

[GregM]

Decided to take the running boards off for the winter and store until spring time. They come off and on pretty darn easy so I'll hold on to them as I like the way they look. However with the amount of snow we get in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and massive quantities of salt they throw on the roads here I'd rather not have them rotting out the underside.
Could have had both sides off in about 15 minutes but it took about a half hour as I kept getting interrupted to throw the dang tennis ball for Finn. ?

Love Mr Finn, worth the interruption

 

[Stangman570]

Hell No!! Leave them on!! These are one strong set of factory running boards. Take it from a man with experience. The entire weight was on the drivers side corner of the step bar and it never crushed. Practically the only thing that saved the entire drives side. I was going with an aftermarket set.... Not after this I'll put that money in a bumper and winch ?

 

[Frenchy]

Hell No!! Leave them on!! These are one strong set of factory running boards. Take it from a man with experience. The entire weight was on the drivers side corner of the step bar and it never crushed. Practically the only thing that saved the entire drives side. I was going with an aftermarket set.... Not after this I'll put that money in a bumper and winch ?

Honestly I am still suprized on how they held up!!

 

[Stangman570]

Honestly I am still suprized on how they held up!!

That makes two of us. The only thing I got out of this was some light scratches on the bedside along with the end cap on the step board was pulled slightly out of position. It just snapped back in place.

 

[peterson1604]

If you end up not wanting them, I'll take them off your hands. haha We head over to the UP quite often year round. I grew up there so we're well versed in the area.

As far as the idea of running boards go. My main reason for wanting a set is to help protect the rocker panels. Secondary reason is to help our dogs get into the truck after long tiring hikes. Tertiary reason is to help with putting things on the roof and scraping the windshield.

I've run into quite a bit of road rash on the rocker panels already. 1.5 years old, 29000 miles. I ended up bedlining the rocker panels to help with that. And that definitely does, but I'm still looking into running boards to add even more protection, especially if I could get a set for less than from the dealer. haha

As far as the salt/snow/ice build up. I can see that maybe being a problem for those who don't ever clean them out. But it's not that hard to clear it with your foot or the snow brush when cleaning off the rest of the truck. And the addition of mudflaps, which I also have, helps keep that stuff down a bit as well.

In the end it's up to you what you want to do, but as I said, if you don't want them I'll take them off your hands for a reasonable fee.

I've decided I'm going to keep them and I'll throw them on during the summer months. They're easy to install so it's worth keeping them.

 

[wanted33]

I see no need for them, but with a "vertically challenged" wife I have to have them.

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