How to Install Running Boards

Whether you roll around town in a full-size pickup with a bed full of lumber or an SUV loaded with your brood, you need a big vehicle to handle your business. What you don't need, though, is a pair of blown-out kneecaps from straining to hop in an out of that auto of yours. You can't downgrade to a Geo, and you probably don't have six-million dollars laying around to mechanize yourself Steve Austin-style. But, you do have another option: running boards.

You've seen running boards before—they're the steps that span the entire distance of a vehicle's cockpit from the driver's door to the rear doors. Unlike nerf bars, they're solid steps, so there's no gap between the boards and the vehicle. And, they're usually topped with a non-skid texture to prevent any "Jerry Lewis meets a banana peel" incidents.

Steps to Installing Running Boards

What you may not know about Toyota Tundra running boards or running boards for the Dodge Ram 1500 is just how easy they are to mount into place. In fact, the entire running boards installation process is a lot simpler than most people assume. So, we've put together a handy guide explaining how to install running boards. Check it out:

Step 1: Open the packaging for your running boards and make sure that you have all the hardware. Then, read through the installation instructions. Yes, everyone wants to skip this step, but read them. Seriously.

Step 2: If your vehicle has factory-drilled mounting holes in the frame, then line up the mounting brackets with these holes and tighten up the bolts. If your vehicle does not have factory-drilled holes, you'll need to drill them yourself following the manufacturer's instructions (those instructions that you didn't read in step 1, but really ought to read now).

Step 3: Once the mounting brackets are firmly anchored to your frame, connect the running boards to the brackets, making sure that they're centered along your cockpit.

Step 4: If your running boards included lights, connect the wiring harness and string it into your vehicle's electrical system. This step might best be left for a professional.

The Perfect Fit

Now, these are simply general steps for mounting running boards to your rig. There will be some variation in the instructions depending on the vehicle, as you can imagine— 2011 Honda Pilot running boards aren't going to follow the exact same steps as 2011 Toyota 4-Runner running boards. And, that's a good thing. It shows that the running boards are custom engineered for a perfect fit on your specific vehicle, not some weird pair of universal steps.

So Which Running Boards Are Right for You?

When you're shopping around for steps, there are a number of world-renowned brands to consider. Westin and Dee Zee running boards have been around for a long time and have earned a reputation for excellence in their designs. On the other hand, Romik running boards are relatively new, but they're already garnering a lot of buzz in the step industry.

And, you're guaranteed to get the absolute best price on the best running boards around when you shop at AutoAnything. Not only do you get free shipping, but you also get a 1-year lower price guarantee with every order, whether you're scoring Chevy Silverado or Honda Ridgeline running boards.