Using Rock rails as a running board

[Buckfever]

I'm just wondering if I'm the only one doing this. Right hand on the grab handle left foot foot on the Rock Rail up and in. Easy peasy. I had a flash memory of how I used to enter the 4Runner and there it was.

 

[yasushi]

I was doing the same but wanted bit more footing so I moved the rails farther out using spacers between the frame and the rails and also added strip of skateboard tape.

Using 1/4" spacers, found that 1” was most I can move without modifying the rocker trim and in new position front mounting point no longer aligns but still having it attached at three beefy mounting brackets, it's pretty stiff and does a decent job as running board.

 

[DD214]

I'm just wondering if I'm the only one doing this. Right hand on the grab handle left foot foot on the Rock Rail up and in. Easy peasy. I had a flash memory of how I used to enter the 4Runner and there it was.

Yup, easy peasy…until a snow or ice storm hits. Then things get a bit slippery.

 

[Catfarm]

I do the same. How durable is the skateboard tape?

 

[DD214]

I was doing the same but wanted bit more footing so I moved the rails farther out using spacers between the frame and the rails and also added strip of skateboard tape.

Using 1/4" spacers, found that 1” was most I can move without modifying the rocker trim and in new position front mounting point no longer aligns but still having it attached at three beefy mounting brackets, it's pretty stiff and does a decent job as running board.

Great fix! Any idea how the bars are holding up as moving them out a bit put extra torque on the bolts, bars, welds, and frame due to changing a moment arm. Not saying it will have an effect and the fact they are rock rails the difference should be negligible….but there.

 

[Valsmere]

I do the same. How durable is the skateboard tape?

I used that on my FJ from what I remember it held up pretty good

 

[Valsmere]

I was looking into getting a set of rock rails. Since I really don’t the steps all that much. I ended up going with the GREENLANE OFFROAD rails with the bump out option. Just waiting for delivery.

 

[planisher]

I was doing the same but wanted bit more footing so I moved the rails farther out using spacers between the frame and the rails and also added strip of skateboard tape.

Using 1/4" spacers, found that 1” was most I can move without modifying the rocker trim and in new position front mounting point no longer aligns but still having it attached at three beefy mounting brackets, it's pretty stiff and does a decent job as running board.

That's a cool idea. I am looking for someone wanted to trade running boards for rock rails in Ontario... but I don't think enough are on the road here, yet. What did you use for the spacers?

 

[yasushi]

On skateboard tape, it’s only been a month but they are holding up well and really helps on rainy days.
Preheating the tape with hairdryer to make it pliable and paint prep with IPA/water seems to help keeping it on.
Plus it’s cheap enough that I’ll just replace it when it starts to wear.

As to stiffness with 1” spacer, although front mounting points are no longer used, having six M10 bolts attached directly to frame makes it pretty rigid. It feels just as stiff if not better than the OEM running board which mounts to rocker panel with six M8? bolts.
As a rock slider, it’s compromised but as a running board it does the job and I think looks better.

For spacers, since I wasn’t sure how many I would need, I got bunch of ¼ X 2” square washers and stacked them
Going to take them off later to weld them together and powdercoat
McMaster-Carr
Also replaced original mounting bolts with longer M10-1.25 X 50mm bolts
McMaster-Carr

One issue was with the mounting bolt for the running board, rearmost bolt on the driver side was interfering with the rock slider bracket so it was removed and replaced with a plug. Other than that, it was a direct bolt in and done in 45 min but most of that time was spent figuring out how to support it in place and how many spacers to use. Would have been easier with extra set of hands but my wife is not much of a help around cars.

 

[b407driver]

On skateboard tape, it’s only been a month but they are holding up well and really helps on rainy days.
Preheating the tape with hairdryer to make it pliable and paint prep with IPA/water seems to help keeping it on.
Plus it’s cheap enough that I’ll just replace it when it starts to wear...

I'd never waste an IPA on rock rails. I might accidentally spill it...