Are running boards on a Ranger like lipstick on a pig?

[tm1506]

But are they harder to step on when they are so 'sucked up close' like that?

I have the same ones and there’s plenty of room for me to step on them.

Sponsored

 

[Grandaccess]

I didnt know if I was going to like the steps, I have the ones from Rough country, I had the boards on my Explorer I got use to them, but now I like my steps much much better...
they are stronger than they look too, I have hit and pushed out of the way a few large rocks, they did not even dent

 

[Dereku]

But how did that super short person get up in there?

Because 10 year olds can jump and climb. And he is average height thank you ?

 

[insaneDane09]

My recently acquired 2022 Lariat has running boards, which I was at first ambivalent about. Now I'm starting to think they are more of a PITA than they are worth. First, I don't need them to get into the truck, unlike my F150 that was enough taller to make it necessary. Second, when I try to get out, I have to either force myself to use the running boards or drag my calf on them getting out. That's all well and good when they are clean, but the spring slop in Iowa will soon eliminate that possibility. That means I'll end up cleaning a small area with the back of my now formerly clean trousers. ?

At this point, I'm seriously considering taking them off and seeing if I like that better. They seem to be more cosmetic than utilitarian on a stock ride-height Ranger, which is what mine will remain...I'm somewhat vertically challenged. What do the rest of you think?

I live on a gravel road in a part of the country where I get snow in the winter and hot, dry summers so in the winter its slush/mud on them and gravel dust in the summer. I find myself getting my jeans dirty on them all the time. I've considered taking them off as well for these reasons, but last summer I got side swiped by a car pretty bad. I had only cosmetic damage but only because of the running boards. If not for those I'd have probably would've had non cosmetic damage as well. For that reason I've decided to keep them on in case it happens again.

 

[Mlemos89]

I like the ones I put on which I got for a good deal. I did bend the bracket on the driver side while off roading but for my 5'2 wife and my two little girls they appreciate it.

 

[MXGOLF]

I don't like the running boards that are two foot holders. I know I would be busting my ankles all the time on those. I did add on rock sliders and use them to get in to my Ranger with.. I also like the kick outs built in to them. Super solid.

 

[dmjr77]

My recently acquired 2022 Lariat has running boards, which I was at first ambivalent about. Now I'm starting to think they are more of a PITA than they are worth. First, I don't need them to get into the truck, unlike my F150 that was enough taller to make it necessary. Second, when I try to get out, I have to either force myself to use the running boards or drag my calf on them getting out. That's all well and good when they are clean, but the spring slop in Iowa will soon eliminate that possibility. That means I'll end up cleaning a small area with the back of my now formerly clean trousers. ?

At this point, I'm seriously considering taking them off and seeing if I like that better. They seem to be more cosmetic than utilitarian on a stock ride-height Ranger, which is what mine will remain...I'm somewhat vertically challenged. What do the rest of you think?

I have a bad knees and I have them on my truck so I can get in easier

 

[nolan62]

Mine protected me from a woman opening her car door once. I'm 62yo and I don't need them yet to get in or out but they keep my from sliding on the side of the seat.

 

[got3fords]

I don't like the running boards that are two foot holders. I know I would be busting my ankles all the time on those. I did add on rock sliders and use them to get in to my Ranger with.. I also like the kick outs built in to them. Super solid.

Those look nice, and I totally agree about boards with "foot holders". Those look stupid. You only get the benefit of stepping up in two small spots. Just give me a straight even board or nothing.

 

[Kemo Sabe]

Yeah, but I'm not sure how much they actually do to protect the paint. I've got mud flaps all around, which probably do the lion's share of the paint protection. Maybe I need to drive through some mud, take them off, and try the mud a second time to see if they indeed offer some protection. Or I could hope someone here posts pictures of their muddy, running-boardless Ranger, lol!

I avoid all mud in my expensive truck. My running boards work great. My wife loves them.
More Chrome for my truck!

 

[seanellaz]

My recently acquired 2022 Lariat has running boards, which I was at first ambivalent about. Now I'm starting to think they are more of a PITA than they are worth. First, I don't need them to get into the truck, unlike my F150 that was enough taller to make it necessary. Second, when I try to get out, I have to either force myself to use the running boards or drag my calf on them getting out. That's all well and good when they are clean, but the spring slop in Iowa will soon eliminate that possibility. That means I'll end up cleaning a small area with the back of my now formerly clean trousers. ?

At this point, I'm seriously considering taking them off and seeing if I like that better. They seem to be more cosmetic than utilitarian on a stock ride-height Ranger, which is what mine will remain...I'm somewhat vertically challenged. What do the rest of you think?

Happy w/ the stock running boards on my 3" lifted Fx4 with 12x35-17 tires. Perfect for getting into / out of the truck. Help protect the body under the doors from brush / rock damage. Yes I know they are not frame mounted, but they have yet to bend, dent, or break under pressure.

 

[JohnnyO]

My current Ranger does not have them, it's one reason why I bought it. I've had them on other trucks and all they're good for is getting my pants dirty in the winter.

 

[Jim C]

They saved my truck one day when the wind caught the door of the guy parked next to me. I heard it hit, got out and looked it was a chip off the running board. Guy was super apologetic about it. I said no worries I don’t like them any way lol. I was going to remove them till that happened lol. Also probably saved some damage offroad in a mud hole one day. Bottom of the running board took some heavy gouges.

They are great protection, besides working as a long mudflap for me there was 1 day on the freeway someone lost a hubcap (yep there are still cars with them), it was rolling down the road& hit my running board. scratched the board but saved a trip to the body shop

 

[CTYankee]

They seem to be more cosmetic than utilitarian on a stock ride-height Ranger, which is what mine will remain...I'm somewhat vertically challenged. What do the rest of you think?

My wife is 4'10", so for her they are way more functional than cosmetic. At 5'10", for me, they aren't necessary getting in or out.

 

[mtsoxfan]

You all do you for your own reasons. For me, I don't need, but my wife does. At first, I only hit my shins on them a couple times, now I don't.
And I don't think my ranger "looks like a pig". I love the way it looks, and I bought running boards to accent the look while creating a function for my wife...

Sponsored