Running Boards for Protection?

Hey y'all, new 22 SR short bed. It's my daily, and I'm looking to get it ready to take on brutal Northern Midwest winters (deep snow, salty roads, and some subzero temps). I'm looking at adding running boards, mainly to help me protect the paint against road debris and the elements and possibly to fend off door dents from careless people in parking lots (bonus points for the side step as a nice-to-have for when my folks ride along). I don't need anything heavy duty or sliding capable. Something with good rust resistant would be nice (plastic over thin metal might even be the best option for once?), but I can always coat them myself too. Can anyone help me with some recommendations? Cheaper is better, current estimating between $200-300, but I can go higher if it's justifiable.

 

use body side moldings for fending off door dings, running boards are too low and can't really protect against other trucks and SUVs

get them color matched and you barely notice they are there

 

How difficult were these to install and keep in a straight line?

 

Undercoat..undercoat.. undercoat.
Wash the undercarriage a lot.
They have a rubber molding for door edges that helps you not ding your own door.
Good luck

 

I got a pair of nerf bars from rough country for the sole purpose of preventing door dings. Think they were around $350 and stick out enough to where if somebody flings a door open they’ll definitely catch it.

I don’t like the idea of running boards because I’m afraid that snow (and then ice) will start building up in the tight space between them and the cab body over the winter.

As far as paint chips on the bottom of the panels, the textured paint seems to be doing a pretty good job so far just by itself.


Edit: also, you didn’t mention it but if you have an air compressor and a spray gun get yourself a gallon of fluid film and spray the underside before the salt hits…if you don’t have the equipment I highly recommend finding somebody that will do it, it’s easily the best midwestern wintertime investment you can make on any car.

 

My new 22 came with the OEM oval tube steps. I've got a lot of chip and seal roads where I live and a long stone drive. After ~3k miles, they show a few dings on the bottom side but no road rash on the paint.

There are nicer steps out there, but for the price, I think they are doing a fine job,

 

I have the oem running boards on my 22. They are plastic coated and therefore won’t rust/corrode. They are tight to the rocker panels and stop debris from blasting my paint.

 

Search for 2nd gen OEM running boards. I picked up mine for just over $300 new from the dealer. Fit perfectly and installed in minutes.

 

I believe that’s what people refer to what’s on my truck. Here in canada they are listed as a 2022 accessory

 

Bought these HDX steps for $530 soon after I brought my Sport home in May 2021.

It's over your budget but something to consider.

 

If you have Facebook, marketplace is a great way to find what you need at a decent price

 

$364 Tyger Auto Star Armor Compatible with 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma | Double Cab | TG-AM2T20048 | Side Step Rails Nerf Bars Running Boards

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AH5IEO6?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

I put the 2nd gen tacoma running boards on my truck. They kinda fit out of the box, needed a little love but they are big and flat and keep everything from kicking up. Then if you live in salty area get an undercoating.

 

Im semi northern midwest...IL/WI border. Lots of snow, cold, road salt, etc. Ive always felt like the side steps, while protecting from little rocks and such, traps all the snow and ice. Potentially making the problem worse. Of course, you can knock it out of there everytime, but then again, you could just adamantly wipe down the rockers. If not using as an actual step or to rock slide, they are a hard pass for me...

 

I got these

https://www.sportwing.com/Body-Side-Moldings/Painted-Body-Side-Molding?ff2=21700

instruction is pretty clear, I use masking tapes with measurement, not too hard to get it all lined up.

 

How do you like your running boards ? easy to get in and out? I'm thinking of installing the same ones

 

they are more in the way for me at 5’10”. More for the kids, and to keep road debris down

 

The snow and ice builds up on the bottom side of these some. It can stay there away from the rockers. The rockers rust from the inside out, of course unless they get stone chipped to crap, then they’ll rust from those chips, which these boards prevent. They are tight to the body so nothing comes up between them and the rockers.

 

X2 - OEM Running Boards along with mud flaps (Husky) keeps the road slush/salt crap off of the vehicle. It builds up on the bottom.