Plastic running boards? Seriously???

I just picked up my TRD Pro from the dealership yesterday after getting a supercharger and running boards installed and much to my surprise the factory running boards are just a metal frame sheathed in plastic! To say that I am disgusted is an understatement. If I had known this I would have just gone with the step tubes (unless they are plastic as well).

So now I am here to try and get some assemblence of peace of mind for my purchase. Has anyone had problems with this plastic cracking or breaking in cold weather door ding situations? How about the traction nubs wearing flat and leaving the skins slick?

Most important... Has any outside manufacturer made metal skins to swap in for the plastic ones?

If anyone from Toyota Motor Corporation reads this, Please note that I feel like you have lied to me. I don't know of any other plastic running boards on the market today so it is ridiculous to assume that your customers would inherently "know" that yours are. You do not advertise this "feature" at all and I personally believe that you should be liable for misleading your customers. I expect better from you.

On the other hand, your superchargers rock.

 

My guess is that in colder temps if someone whips open their door into them, they might crack.

If you want peace of mind, sell the OEM ones that you got and buy sliders set to 0 degrees. Any vendor that makes sliders should be able to do this for you at no additional cost. You will have peace of mind knowing that the sliders will be MUCH more durable than anything Toyota has.

 

Those are the best fit, best looking boards/steps for this truck. Maybe not what you expected but it is some of the best.

Remember, your bed is also composite plastic. In many cases it's more durable and sometimes stronger than metal.

 

I had a set on my 06 Taco! They never cracked and still looked new last fall when I traded it for my 15 Taco. The only problem I had with them was they set so close to the rockers. It was hard to get my big ass feet on them. I opted to get the N-Fab step nerf bars on my 15. So as far as durability I would say the plastic ones were great but functionality not so much. But I did liked how they looked on the truck. But now I really like the N-Fabs!

 

Yeah Im not sure why OP is so upset. Toyota and many other companies have been doing that way for 20 years or more! Our 97 Limited had plastic running boards that I removed about three years ago, and they were in great shape when I took them off. For some car parts plastic really isn't that bad.

 

Mine looks just like that from the factory. I took it off and sold it cheap just to get it out of my sight. It collects snow real well and it only accommodate your tippytoes when you step on it . I got an aftermarket tube which seem to be working as intended for now.

 

Because you ASSUMED these did not contain plastic without doing any research does not make Toyota or the dealership out to be liars. Unless someone specifically told you they were all steel, you got exactly what you ordered. Maybe not what you expected, but what Toyota offers.

 

I haven't seen any yet Rock Lobster. Maybe I haven't looked very hard. I was going to buy some factory ones for my Jeep (before I traded it in on my '15 TRD Pro) and they were solid metal.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I guess the plastic covers at least won't show any rust. I've seen some seriously ugly Taco step tubes that were all rusted out.

The main reasons that I bought these is for mitigating door dings, helping my wife and kids get in and out, and the sheer badazz look of them. These boards definitely meet the standards that I bought them for.

I'll stop the whining now and give them a chance. Time to enjoy the s/c and begin prepping for headlight/tail-light blackout. Thanks again all!

 

glwood, I did research them as much as Toyota allows. There is very little information on them and unless you specifically search for "plastic running boards" on this forum, nothing really comes up on them. To me the details of the construction of a product should be overtly stated, especially if you claim something is "sturdy" and then only supply a distant picture for reference. Maybe I'm just used to "Jeep world" where everything is made for off-road durability... All I know is that from now on I will dig into any purchase a lot deeper than I did with this one.

Burghlar: The factory ones that I was going to buy for my JK unlimited were on my friend's Willy's as well. Solid metal.

 

The best steps available IMO are the Body Armor rock steps:

$315 Body Armor 4x4 TC-4121 - Black - Steel Large RockStep Side Rail for 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab (Pair)

http://www.amazon.com/Body-Armor-4x4-TC-4121-2005-2013/dp/B005W35V0E

They look great, all metal/no plastic, and aren't in your way if you don't step on them and when you get out of the truck. There's a few threads about them here, one in particular has a bunch of pictures, or just google image search.

 

If it's made out of the same stuff as my deck, it's nigh indestructible. We went with a composite material, and it takes heat really well (no snow here, though it did freeze...once).

 

Those are pretty sweet kingston. Thanks for the info. I do find it a little weird though that you have to purchase the step pads separately for $90 and then replace the screws with stainless... But hey those are a great alternative.

 

HA! Just spit out my coffee

 

They do all of those things and more!

 

Um didn't you look at the running boards before you purchased them? Or just buy them sight unseen? Or ask any basic questions like " What are they made of? " That's like dropping your car off at the Dealer and saying throw some OEM wheels on it and paying a 1,000.00. And then picking it up and it has 4 steelies on it for a 1,000.00

 

My old Durango had plastic running boards with a metal frame. Probably the only part of that truck that was worth a shit.

 

Look at them? How? Not one on the lot at any local dealership. Only tube steps. That should have been my first clue honestly. The only online pics are distant with no real level of detail. The dealership had just as little information and the same pictures. *shrug*

Now I know that I have to come to these forums and ask about every item that I intend to purchase. I just didn't think that I would have to resort to that to simply get something close to what I was expecting.

 

Not everything from the Jeep world is made for 'off road durability'. I had a set of factory tube steps from Jeep on my '07 JK that were metal and plastic also. Those wouldn't have held up off road for long, but I knew that when I got 'em. I eventually sold them and made some steel rocker guards.

I have the same steps you got on my Tacoma. While they're not off road rock protection, they work fine for entry assistance for the vertically challenged, reaching on top of the cab, keep a lot of crap off the side of the truck, and prevent most door dings. I like mine for what they do provide. I say give them a try, they may grow on you...btw, I purchased mine after I bought the truck also. I also like the look of them.

 

That is very true... After I posted that I started thinking of the plastic fender flares that are out there. I guess that I am used to being able to do my research for OEM parts at sites like Quadratec where users get in-depth product information that lets you know what you are getting into with your purchase. Any such sites for the Taco world?