side steps/running boards. Probably a dead horse, but hey.

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

A_mod_too_far

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2022
Posts
259
Reaction score
201
Location
Colorado
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7
So, due to family and friends, I find myself needing some running boards/side steps. I have a black 2013 sport with crew cab and hoping to keep the budget under $500. I think I'd prefer black, but could justify chrome because my truck has chrome wheels and badging.

My fears of buying online are the following:
1) product that rusts after less than 1 year
2) product comes damaged and I have to pay return shipping
3) product comes as "new" but is clearly a return

That being said I see there are some very affordable Chinese options on amazon and ebay.

My questions are:
1) recommendations as far as brand? Is there a crossroad of affordable and reliable?
2) recommendations as far as type. Are the tubalar ones practical? I sort of prefer them visually, but seems the wide flat ones would be more usable although shin busting?
3) I would like a wheel to wheel option so I could use it to reach into the bed also, they don't really seem to always say if they are, so I assume most are not?


Thanks in advance if anyone actually reads and offers a recommendation
 
Last edited:

EdGs

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2020
Posts
2,478
Reaction score
3,556
Location
FL
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
I have Raptor step bars on my Ram. They are 5 inch oval stainless steel.

They do have black coated steel ones, too.

I have a quad cab, but pretty sure they would have crew cab also, and they do make wheel to wheel versions.

They install on the inside of the rockers. I would rather they attach to the frame rail, but it is what it is, and they were already on the truck.

I did have a step pad break on me getting out of the truck as they are plastic, but they had been on the truck several years at that point.

These were the original straight ones I had;
View attachment 511452

I have the curved ones now as these were damaged in an accident, and like I said, they have wheel to wheel versions, etc.

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
A_mod_too_far

A_mod_too_far

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2022
Posts
259
Reaction score
201
Location
Colorado
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7
OEM boards are very good quality, as far as retaining their appearance. Rock sliders they are not. A good set of OEM takeoffs will be far superior to cheap $500 after markets.

Sounds like I should put up the money for oem boards eh? I'm actually surprised a little bit considering the overwhelming amount of options out there, but it's at least a safe bet
 

Dean2

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2021
Posts
2,718
Reaction score
3,941
Location
Near Edmonton
Ram Year
2021 2500
Engine
6.4
Sounds like I should put up the money for oem boards eh? I'm actually surprised a little bit considering the overwhelming amount of options out there, but it's at least a safe bet
There are lots of quality options but not in the budget you set. I have factory power boards, I would never go back to regular boards, but they are more than $500.
 

zrock

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2022
Posts
261
Reaction score
286
Location
canada
Do not get board that mount to the rocker over time they will loosen and create rust, get ones that mount to the cab mount bolts or frame. Find a nice set of used ones and then go have them rino lined to your color of choice and they will last forever.
 
OP
OP
A_mod_too_far

A_mod_too_far

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2022
Posts
259
Reaction score
201
Location
Colorado
Ram Year
2013
Engine
5.7
There are lots of quality options but not in the budget you set. I have factory power boards, I would never go back to regular boards, but they are more than $500.

Ya, I had thought $500 was enough but I'm going to have to put up the money cause I dont want to end up with crap
 

EdGs

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2020
Posts
2,478
Reaction score
3,556
Location
FL
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
Do not get board that mount to the rocker over time they will loosen and create rust, get ones that mount to the cab mount bolts or frame. Find a nice set of used ones and then go have them rino lined to your color of choice and they will last forever.
Factory boards mount to the rockers as well, don't they?
 

Dean2

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2021
Posts
2,718
Reaction score
3,941
Location
Near Edmonton
Ram Year
2021 2500
Engine
6.4
There are spots with inserts that the factory boards mount to. Far less likely to rust than drilling into the rockets.
 

Rado

US NAVY VETERAN
Military
Joined
Nov 5, 2016
Posts
6,866
Reaction score
18,887
Location
Maine
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Pentastar 3.6 V6
So, due to family and friends, I find myself needing some running boards/side steps. I have a black 2013 sport with crew cab and hoping to keep the budget under $500. I think I'd prefer black, but could justify chrome because my truck has chrome wheels and badging.

My fears of buying online are the following:
1) product that rusts after less than 1 year
2) product comes damaged and I have to pay return shipping
3) product comes as "new" but is clearly a return

That being said I see there are some very affordable Chinese options on amazon and ebay.

My questions are:
1) recommendations as far as brand? Is there a crossroad of affordable and reliable?
2) recommendations as far as type. Are the tubalar ones practical? I sort of prefer them visually, but seems the wide flat ones would be more usable although shin busting?
3) I would like a wheel to wheel option so I could use it to reach into the bed also, they don't really seem to always say if they are, so I assume most are not?


Thanks in advance if anyone actually reads and offers a recommendation
Contact Benny at

AllMoparParts.com he is a preferred vendor here if you want OEM or check your dealer !​

I have OEM wheel to wheel on my 2015 Quad cab since 2016 or 2017 and are still looking good even from living in the Rust Belt of Maine
If I remember right they were $600.00 installed at my dealer
 

EdGs

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2020
Posts
2,478
Reaction score
3,556
Location
FL
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
There are spots with inserts that the factory boards mount to. Far less likely to rust than drilling into the rockets.
That's how my Raptor series bars mounted as well.
 

LeeD

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2020
Posts
191
Reaction score
177
Location
Humble, TX United States
Ram Year
2018
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Check out Luverne running boards. They’re stainless steel and you can get them in black or brushed. They’re also on Amazon in your price range. I’ve had them for 3 years and they’re still in great shape. They are very sturdy and attach to the frame as well as the rockers.
 

hunterdan

Senior Member
Joined
May 7, 2018
Posts
836
Reaction score
777
Location
SE PA
Ram Year
2019 classic
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I'm running the Tyger steps on my ram. I originally had OEM steps on it, but they chrome was flaking and wanted something different. Tried some that only mounted to the upper rocker, but had tons of flex. So, sold them and went with these from Tyger. They mount to the rocker AND pinch weld and are solid as OEM, use the OEM mounts. They come with hardware in case your truck didn't come with the nutserts installed. They've been on over a year now, and still look new. For $200 or less. They've been great. They actually sit up closer to the body than OEM.
 

GTyankee

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Nov 2, 2020
Posts
10,059
Reaction score
12,602
Location
El Cajon Calif. 92021
Ram Year
2016
Engine
3.0 ecodiesel
I bought N-FAB wheel to wheel step bars for my 2009 Ram Quad Cab, they are Powder Coated from the factory

Back then they had wheel to wheel bars with either 2 or 3 steps.
BUT, we also had a serious Depression, auto parts stores shelves were almost empty & a lot of companies were building parts in small batches.

When i ordered my bars, i wanted the 3 step setup, but N-Fab did not have any at the factory, so i ordered the 2 step setup & i had to wait until they ran a batch of those steps, it did not take long.
When they came in, i saw just how short the steps were & the shop owner was there. I asked him if it was possible to cut the rear step off & fabricate a longer step. He said that he knew where to buy the exact same materials to make it look like it came that way from N-Fab.
Together we cut off the rear step , ground everything down smooth, he bent metal & i helped him weld everything back together & then it was sent off to a Power Coating Shop.

When it came back, we bolted it to the 2009 Ram

The exact same set is currently on my 2016 Ram

sideviewflares.jpg
2009 Ram
mudflapreplaced.jpg

rear mount
img0546c.jpg

same bars on my 2016 Ram

sazyVo.jpg
 
Last edited:

Badger 13

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2018
Posts
1,165
Reaction score
1,130
Location
North Idaho
Ram Year
2013 Dodge Ram 1500
Engine
5.7 Hemi
A few years ago I found a new set of OEM steps at a very reasonable price. Maybe since there are not that many 2 doors out there the price was good. I think the OEM steps look really clean, and fit perfectly. They have been holding up well, and still look good.


ea2sBY.&owa=outlook.live.com&scriptVer=20230109005.jpg
 

Intense-Dakota

Landscape and Nature Photographer
Joined
Jul 11, 2016
Posts
249
Reaction score
105
Location
GUNTERSVILLE, Alabama
Ram Year
2017
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Check out this thread. I have the GoRhino D6 and after a few years of Illinois salt they still look great. They are SOLID also.

 
Top