Simply said, nerf bars and running boards make it simpler to enter and exit a high-up vehicle.
Even though full-size trucks and SUVs are taller than crossovers and compact trucks, shorter people or those with restricted mobility may still find it difficult to climb into these vehicles, therefore they may put running boards on these cars.
Additionally, many truck or SUV owners love the robust, rugged appearance that aftermarket running boards provide their vehicle. As a result, many running boards come in a variety of finishes, including chrome, black, and brushed metal, and are intended to improve a truck’s or SUV’s outside appeal.
In This Article...
What Types of Running Boards Are There?
The three forms of aftermarket stairs for cars are side steps, nerf bars, and running boards.
A running board is a totally flat step that attaches to a truck or SUV’s side, just inside the doors.
However, nerf bars include cutout areas for the passengers’ feet and mount to the side of a truck or an SUV behind the doors instead. These areas typically include textured surfaces or rubber grips to provide the user with additional grip when getting in and out of the car.
A narrow, single step known as a side step accomplishes the same task as a running board. To make it simpler for the user to reach the bed, these can be mounted on the side of a truck or SUV behind the rear axle or underneath the passenger doors on a vehicle.
How Do I Install Running Boards?
The process of installing running boards is often straightforward, but if your running boards are particularly heavy, you might want to enlist the assistance of a buddy.
Many aftermarket side steps, nerf bars, and running boards will come with installation instructions. Running boards are typically pre-drilled with mounting holes in the frame, so all you have to do is install them and secure them with the hardware that came with your running boards.
You will need to drill the holes yourself if your car doesn’t already have them. However, if the holes aren’t pre-drilled, we’d advise hiring a professional to install them because you don’t want to jeopardize your car’s structure.
To install your running boards, simply adhere to the directions that came with them. You can also search online for instructional videos like the one on YouTube below.
How Much Weight Can Running Boards Hold?
Although they aren’t often specified, weight ratings range from 300 to 500 pounds. You can use two or three brackets on some side steps, which can assist tighten up a set if they are sagging. Weights are not standardized, and no manufacturer tests every single model. Though you probably won’t be able to, or need to, place triple brackets under a single cab truck or two-door Jeep, more brackets holding your step bars to the frame will generally hold more. A full-size crew cab pickup’s long run may bend despite additional brackets, especially if two large persons are loaded onto it at once. Although overloading rarely results in a break, doing so frequently increases the likelihood of developing tiny fractures or other wear that can result in rust.
What Are Running Boards Made From?
Step bars are typically composed of aluminum, coated mild steel, or stainless steel. Although there are a few knockoff carbon fiber running boards, we couldn’t locate any from well-known producers. They all have benefits and drawbacks.
The best goods are side steps made of stainless steel. They frequently carry lifetime warranties against material faults and weight ratings of up to 500 pounds. Because of stainless steel’s excellent strength, they may be made thinner and lighter, which makes installation simpler. Even though rust may eventually occur, stainless steel is particularly resistant to corrosion, which is why brackets and fasteners are typically constructed of another material. Stainless steel nerf bars are typically more expensive than an equivalent set of mild steel step bars since both the materials and production are more expensive. Because stainless steel is more difficult to weld than mild steel, simple designs like bends in tubes or rectangular bars are more common than complex ones.
Unhardened steel is referred to as mild steel. In comparison to hardened steel, which might be used to make mounting brackets with great strength, it has more flex and is less likely to shatter. It will corrode right away if it isn’t coated. The best steel running boards are galvanized, which electrically attaches a rust-resistant zinc coating to the steel. The galvanized finish is then protected with additional layers of coating. They must be completely coated. All of these coatings may chip off or lose their integrity where fasteners or stairways are located or are exposed to road debris. It is fairly easy to repair and weld mild steel. Look for running boards made of coated steel with a five year warranty.
Step bars made of aluminum won’t rust, but they will corrode with time. Aluminum is difficult to weld, just like stainless steel, hence these frequently come in straightforward extruded and bent configurations like ovals, tubes, and rectangular bars. They typically cost more when manufactured in more intricate shapes. Since aluminum weighs roughly the same as or even less than stainless steel and requires more thickness to produce the same strength, one person can install them more easily. Aluminum can be coated, brushed, or polished to a brilliant luster. Direct contact between aluminum and steel can cause galvanic corrosion, which weakens the metal and rusts the steel.
Will Installing Running Boards Void my Vehicle’s Warranty?
No. The Magnuson Moss Warranty-Federal Trade Commission Improvements Act is a Federal rule in the United States that mandates that a dealership or manufacturer must demonstrate that an aftermarket part is to blame for a failure. They have the burden of proof. This doesn’t mean that a dishonest dealership won’t treat you unfairly, and if your running boards inflict damage to your vehicle, the warranty won’t cover it. However, they are unable to assert, for example, that your step bars hurt the transmission.
As a result, it does make sense to exercise caution, especially in the areas where you connect to the frame. Ensure that every surface is spotless, and avoid scratching any coatings that serve as protection. After installation, we would spray any places that came into contact with rust preventive like Cosmoline or Fluid Film, wash it frequently, and touch up the spray coating a few times a year. It’s a good idea to check your bolts at the same time to make sure they haven’t loosened. You should also watch out for steel hardware coming into touch with an aluminum step bar or frame, or vice versa, since this can lead to galvanic corrosion.
Do running boards require drilling holes?
Depending on the make and model of your car, you may need to install your running boards. The majority of specifications and procedures for installing truck attachments are standard, therefore we’ll do our best to make this as simple as possible.
Step 1: Assemble Your Equipment
Unpack your new running boards first to check sure all the components are there. Before starting, use the manufacturer’s list to check off the hardware. Go over the installation guidelines. Yes, this is a crucial action.
You must now gather the following information:
- cushioned mat or creeper
- protective gloves and eyewear
- Box end spanners
- Set of ratchets and sockets
Step 2: Locate Factory Holes in Your Vehicle and Install Bolt Plate
The component that secures the brackets in place is the bolt plate. Depending on the manufacturer, the factory-drilled holes may have rubber plugs in them.
You will need to drill the holes if your car does not already have them, and the instructions will explain how to do this. The bolts on the running board must match up with the holes you drill, which is crucial.
Step 3: Attach the Brackets
The quantity of brackets varies depending on the make, model, year, and cab size of your car. With the front bracket, start. Finger-tighten the brackets as you may need to make corrections later. Use the appropriate bolts, nuts, and washers.
Step 4: Install the Running Boards
On the brackets, affix your running boards. Take care to line everything up. Make sure the boards are properly centered so they don’t get in the way or act as a barrier.
Using the included hardware, mount the running boards to the brackets now. At this stage, level and make any necessary adjustments. Once you’re certain that everything is evenly spaced and centered, it’s time to tighten all of the bracket’s nuts.
Step 5: Finishing touches
You must now connect any lights on your running boards using the wiring harness. Connect the cables to the electrical system of your truck. To ensure you’re doing things right, review the instruction manual.
Once the hardware is completed, you’ll need to wire a motor to your ignition system if your running board is retractable. Again, it is crucial to adhere to all manufacturer guidelines.
Which equipment is required to install running boards?
Although we employed a lift to provide you the most accurate visuals of the installation procedure, you can do this installation in your driveway with the help of a creeper, padded mat, or even a substantial piece of cardboard.
Ratchet and socket set, first
Box End Wrenches 2.
3. Gloves and safety glasses
4. Climber (optional)
This component enables the brackets to be securely secured without the need for drilling.
The quantity of brackets depends on the year, make, model, and cab size of your truck.
What distinguishes a running board from a Nerf bar?
Nerf bars and running boards can make getting in and out of your truck or SUV simpler. Running boards offer a wide, flat step, whereas nerf bars have round or oval shapes with diameters starting at three inches. This is the main distinction between the two types of truck stairs. Below, we go into greater detail on the similarities and differences between nerf bars and truck running boards.