Wife Wants to Buy Me Running Boards For Christmas

[Phaeton16]

Wife has a hard time getting in and out of truck and wants to buy me a set of running boards, would love to hear what you guys are using and any brand to stay away from. I'm 6'4', 250 lbs and want something sturdy. Chrome, Black, or Brushed Aluminum ?? Whats a good brand, Westin, Iboard or what other brand. Going on stock White 2016 Ram 1500 SLT.

 

[NJMOPAR]

I actually like my OEM chrome tubular steps, and you can get aftermarket OE style for under $250.
If you're in a snow climate avoid the auto-retracting ones, they'll freeze up.

 

[WY-Dave]

My (5 5" and I 5 7") had to go about 2 weeks until our factory black rails came in and I put them on. I'm at 240# and they hold up great. I like them black because you can kinda see them and don't stick out like a **** in a punchbowl.
Without
View media item 28892with 82213273AE
View media item 28961
They are 5" oval and the dogs use them just as much as we do.

I like the way the ones with the individual drop steps look, but with my luck I will find something to hit them with. Point being, I was backing out of a gas station parking spot and with all the traffic I had to take an unusual line to weave out of the spot. Well I didn't see the low hoops that protect the pumps. TING, SCRAPE and some choice few words. I figured that the leading edge of the front fender was crunched and the bumper was peeled back about a foot. I get out and it was a "pleasant" surprise that the rails stuck out enough to keep the post away from the fender and only the rail had damage.

The factory uses nutserts to install them. They are hexagon shaped so they wont spin when installing them. I have an extra set to put the brackets in the middle for extra umph. They aren't really needed but what the heck.

 

[Graygoose]

Westin 4" rocks...in chrome or black.

 

[Jayc19]

I put these Tyger running boards on my truck about 2 years ago. They have survived Ohio winters well. They mount to the frame not just pinch welds. They are pretty sturdy, I’m 5’10 about 240.

 

[REDE2GO]

I would stay away from the ICI Magnum RT steps. They rusted on me in 2 years.

 

[daveray9]

I like the black OEM, but someone has LUND black ones for sale in the FS section.. FYI

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[lpennock]

I like AMP Power Steps. On 3rd truck with them.

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[Nick@GotExhaust]

AMP if you got the money to spend on them, otherwise check out the options from Westing and NFab. Waulity steps for a reasonable price.

Message me if you would like a quote on anything. We offer many of the popular step brands

 

[retired]

My (5 5" and I 5 7") had to go about 2 weeks until our factory black rails came in and I put them on. I'm at 240# and they hold up great. I like them black because you can kinda see them and don't stick out like a **** in a punchbowl.
Without
View media item 28892with 82213273AE
View media item 28961
They are 5" oval and the dogs use them just as much as we do.

I like the way the ones with the individual drop steps look, but with my luck I will find something to hit them with. Point being, I was backing out of a gas station parking spot and with all the traffic I had to take an unusual line to weave out of the spot. Well I didn't see the low hoops that protect the pumps. TING, SCRAPE and some choice few words. I figured that the leading edge of the front fender was crunched and the bumper was peeled back about a foot. I get out and it was a "pleasant" surprise that the rails stuck out enough to keep the post away from the fender and only the rail had damage.

The factory uses nutserts to install them. They are hexagon shaped so they wont spin when installing them. I have an extra set to put the brackets in the middle for extra umph. They aren't really needed but what the heck.
View attachment 230658

where did you find middle bracket? I see some oem side steps have the middle bracket and others don't.

 

[CheechDogg.0n37s]

RBP Stealth Power Running Boards is what I have ... I like them better than the AMPs because they have two motors per side ....

 

[WY-Dave]

where did you find middle bracket? I see some oem side steps have the middle bracket and others don't.

Bracket 68199101AC, i'm still waiting to get them. I went to the dealer last month and they said were backordered to middle of Dec. Also said it was not a good idea to pay for in advanced because they may extend the backorder. Online the prices are good, but with shipping it seem more than what the would cost at the dealer. They are one of them manufactured on demand items. So up to a month to get them unless you can find someone with on-hand stock which is unlikely.

All the parts are saying 2013+. I thought I would be swift and just go on craigslist or FB market place. Everything there is too old. In the photos they look identical, brackets and all. But I can't find the time to go to one and stick them next to the truck. Plus the are all the stainless/chrome ones, I hate the chrome that is on there now haha

As for the 2 vs 3 bracket, I think that the full length ones get the 3. I took that kit part number right off the rail as I was fixing the bent bracket from my oppsie

 

[slickracer]

Westin Pro Traxx 5 look great in stainless. Make sure to get the 5" and not the 4". The 4" bars look like pencils.

 

[mtnrider]

Amp power steps is the way to go. Not cheap but sooooo much better then standard steps. They drop down lower and make it much easier for the vertically challenged to get in the truck. They are also wider so less chance of slipping off of them.
My wife was like "how much were those!", then I installed them and she was like "these are the best things ever!" Worth every penny.


.

 

[Loudram]

I like the black OEM, but someone has LUND black ones for sale in the FS section.. FYI

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LOL, that's me. I'm in NJ so that's a little far for a pick up but I will say this. Get either stainless or aluminum. Regular carbon steel will rust pretty quick.

I have 5" black stainless Lund bars. The original set had a defect in the finish, a bubble. I only had them for about 8 months. Between that and the fact that they are stainless tells me it probably wasn't rust. The bubble was on top. They replaced them, no questions asked. All I had to do was send them a pic and a copy of the screen shot from when I ordered them off eBay. That's why I have the old ones for sale, they didn't want them back.

Lund stood tall and that's rare nowadays.

Sent from my LG-V60 using Tapatalk.

 

[Badger 13]

After years of having trucks w/o any type of steps, I finally got some for my 1500. I like the looks of the OEM ones and found my "oval" ones at a good price. They are sturdy and look clean. Still getting used to getting in and out using the steps.

 

[NorthStar1]

Wife has a hard time getting in and out of truck and wants to buy me a set of running boards, would love to hear what you guys are using and any brand to stay away from. I'm 6'4', 250 lbs and want something sturdy. Chrome, Black, or Brushed Aluminum ?? Whats a good brand, Westin, Iboard or what other brand. Going on stock White 2016 Ram 1500 SLT.

View attachment 230655

You're like me - a big guy. My recommendation is whatever you purchase try to get one with three points of attachment to the truck. Many only have two and have a tendency to flex in the middle when I step on them. I found the running boards with three points of attachments are much, much more solid when stepping on them and perform much better.

 

[LeeD]

I put on these Luverne side steps. They're really well made and sturdy. I weigh 220lbs and I don't feel any flex when I step up. Plus they're mounted with 3 brackets and fit right up to the body.
Stainless Steel Side Entry Steps SKU #281033-571632 for $588.79 by LUVERNE Truck

 

[Htsderek]

I like AMP Power Steps. On 3rd truck with them.

Sent from my SM-T500 using Tapatalk

I'm in the Amp camp too, if your budget will allow it.

They are plenty sturdy (part of the adjustment process is a few big guys bouncing on them), not in the way when driving, and come with steps lights as a bonus.

 

[WY-Dave]

You're like me - a big guy. My recommendation is whatever you purchase try to get one with three points of attachment to the truck. Many only have two and have a tendency to flex in the middle when I step on them. I found the running boards with three points of attachments are much, much more solid when stepping on them and perform much better.

I right up there with the OP and the stockers with 2 points don't flex at all. I got them part of the truck purchase deal, but the deal was for me to put them on. When I finished , I stood in the middle bounced like a fool. Then of course my wife comes in the garage and she just looks at me, turns around and goes back in the house haha. But I do want to get he middle brackets eventually. We do some camping and a lil exploring and just incase I hit something like a rock, I just want the extra bounce factor.