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

[rudynix]

My 2023 Lariat Tremor came without the steps when I purchased it. My wife being in her 60s and myself being in my 70s preferred having running boards. I purchased a set that was wider and ran the length of the vehicle so that not only would it help with getting in and out of of the vehicle, it also prevented damage from careless people opening their doors into my vehicle.

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[got3fords]

One of the first mods I did was add running boards (some people call them nerf bars for some reason). I am 6'1" but use them every time. I have a 1.5" front lift.
They help keep from wearing the edge of the seat. I step up and lower myself in.
They keep crap from flinging up to the paint. I hear objects hit them once in a while.
They help when I need to clean snow or frost off the front camera.
They prevented significant body damage when I hit a large concrete parking thing.
They have prevented numerous door dings.
Wife is short, so there's that.

 

[Ninong]

I removed my factory running boards and installed a set of rock sliders. No more getting my calves scraped getting in and out of the truck.

 

[paval3]

I like to think of them as a ding protector when the idiot parking next to me throws their door open

As long as it's not a taller 4x4 parking next.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

I frequently have elderly passengers and the steps are necessary.

Yeah I have to whip out steps every time my grandma rides in the truck. She gets so mad about it but can't get in without them!

 

[dstig1]

Day to day I ignore them, but my wife is 5'4" and uses them getting in and out. I also use them for reaching up&over like cleaning windshield or top of the cab of snow, but that is about it for me. On my old F250 they were basically required to use to get in and out for both of us as that thing was way up in the sky.

 

[airline tech]

This thread is missing something: A Comparision Pic

These are the RB20 Slims, and with some adjusting they suck up closer to the truck.
For me I do not touch the boards with the back of my pants.
Placement matters on how far they stick out

 

[hughesjv]

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?

Worth every penny if you have a short wife...my wife cannot get into the truck without the running board so for me they were an essential upgrade!!!

 

[Dereku]

Always remove them. Its how trucks are supposed to look.

 

[LaBalbe]

We are in the same boat with kids driving! My daughter turn 16 in 7 months lol.

Tell you what, next time I'm down in NC, I'll let you know, we can get together, let the girls drive in an empty lot, and then have 16 or so beers to get our blood pressure back down.

 

[Burnt Money]

Tell you what, next time I'm down in NC, I'll let you know, we can get together, let the girls drive in an empty lot, and then have 16 or so beers to get our blood pressure back down.

Sounds like a plan! We have lots of dirt roads with no traffic for the warm up lol. It’s probably way warmer here in Charleston than it is in where you’re at. The beer fridge stays stocked lol.

 

[got3fords]

Always remove them. Its how trucks are supposed to look.

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

 

[got3fords]

These are the RB20 Slims, and with some adjusting they suck up closer to the truck.
For me I do not touch the boards with the back of my pants.
Placement matters on how far they stick out

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

 

[Cabose-1]

I do not like them. I would take them off......but.......the wife insists she needs them. They hit a lot off road.

 

[30coupe]

I'm learning to deal with them. As someone mentioned, they should save on the seat edge, so I'm stepping up and sitting down onto the seat. Feels awkward for now, but I'm getting there. Getting out, if I swing over and put my right foot on the running board, I can kind of scoot out without dragging my leg on the darn thing.

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