Running boards or Step Tubes??

[Lektrikman]

Just bought an 05 Quad cab CTD and am trying to decide whether to go with Step tubes or running boards. I like the fact that boards keep crap off of the doors and rocker panels but don't like the way a lot of them use the rocker panel or pinch weld for support. Anybody seen any boards that use the cab mounts for support like the step tubes do? Anybody have any pictures of their boards out there?

Also, any good sources for factory service manuals? I have always bought factory manuals for my other three CTD's, but when I saw the price of the newer truck manuals in Genos Garage I about lost it. They must have included a "decoder module" or something!! heh heh... ... .

I'd appreciate any suggestions you guys might have..... Thanks, Lektrikman

 

[Big_Horn]

check out this LINK This may help you with your decision... BH

 

[mfrost]

MOPAR has the running boards, they bolt right up. Got them installed before i picked her up. No chips on my rockers or doors. Works well lasts a long time. Of cousre if you don't like diamond plate you're out of luck there.

 

[Azhuskcarr]

just put on some power steps from Amp Research. They are fully automatic and they tuck under the rocker panels until you open the door. They work great!!! I got them from www.electricsteps.com.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

This week I had the Smitty Built tube running boards taken off of my truck and had wheel to wheel DeeZee diamond plate running boards installed.

They are running boards not running tubes.

My tubes were rusty and pitted up in only one year. Into the scrap pile. Oo.

 

[Mawgie]

1) The electricsteps link doesn't work.



2) I am also interested in tubes versues running boards, and am leaning toward running boards. I live in Upstate NY, and the boards/tubes will take a pounding in the winter. I recently looked at an '03, with aluminum DeeZee running boards. Great quality, fit and finish, and pretty much ruined (pitted, corroded) by the winter road chemicals up here.



3) Has anyone tried the DIY spray/roll in bedliner material on running boards? Should make them less slippery, and should protect the running boards from the elements.

 

[Hoefler]

I have Owens boards from wheel to wheel. The brackets bolt to the braces under the cab and bed. No hardware attaches to the rocker.

 

[Jengle]

My opinion, and its just that, so don't flame me, is that if you're a rock climber and need only a toe hold to get in, get the tubes. If you want a real step to assist getting in and out of the truck, with enough room to actually stand on, get boards. I got mine from Tough Country. Wheel to wheel and very sturdy. They bolt to the cab attach points. The wheel to wheel comes in real handy when you want something just out of reach in the bed.

 

[RankRam]

How about some step boards?



Here is a pic for you.



This is a pic of my 05 18k miles and zero rock chips! This truck saw alot of gravel roads too.

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This is a pic of my 06 with the same boards, there just a little longer.

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[Coolslice]

I like the tubes better. Mine adjust, are very strong and look great. IMO, I think the boards look very dated, kinda like a giant light bar in the bed. :-laf

 

[Lektrikman]

Rank Ram, Thanks for the reply and the pictures. Tell me, what brand of running boards did you have on your two Rams and do you have any information or pictures showing how they mounted? Also, whose SS exhaust pipe tip did you have on your 05? Thanks... ... . Lektrikman

 

[Lektrikman]

Jengle, I like the idea of cab mount attach points. Is Rough Country the name of the running boards or the company/website that you bought them from? Would appreciate any information or pictures you could provide. Thanks... ..... Lektrikman

 

[RankRam]

Rank Ram, Thanks for the reply and the pictures. Tell me, what brand of running boards did you have on your two Rams and do you have any information or pictures showing how they mounted? Also, whose SS exhaust pipe tip did you have on your 05? Thanks... ... . Lektrikman

Glad to help!



The boards are made by Westin and are called Step Boards, I purchased them from Summit Racing. They are mounted to the inner cab by brackets that are shaped like a J. It's hard to explain to you, but I will say they are very sturdy and the whole setup is very durable. The steps on the 05 were from my 03. The steps had a total 40k miles on them and looked great when I traded the 05 in.



Here is a closer pic of the boards when they were on my 03.

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PS: This is where I got the boards for my 06, thier prices are much better than Summit. http://www.runningboardwarehouse.com/



Oh the SS tip was from Silverline!



HTH!



ON EDIT:One other thing I should add, your first post on this thread, you mention that you don't want to drill or attach anything to the pinch welds. The boards I'm using say to do just that, I didn't do that part of the install and it hasn't been a problem at all.

 

[DocDetonancour]

I had boards on my 96 and they were OK, if you don't mind the mud collection. I have MAAP 5" flat tubes on my 04 and don't see any wear. I like the easy clean up too. Doc

 

[Midnight]

Pics of my running boards in my gallery.

 

[RKerner]

maybe check Dodge Daytona Truck running boards?

I was in the Cities the other day and the running boards on the Daytona truck look pretty slick and are fairly tight to rockers and fit a quad cab.

Daytona RB pix



Of course, if it's anything like the Power Wagon wheel flares, it will be a year before they are available.



You can see the boards iI have in my gallery. They are ok but not overachievers. Try to get a good warranty as the rubber tread can loosen at the corners and the paint can wear off if you use the the step if they are muddy.



Stock front mudflaps don't fit the greatest with running boards - the rear mount tab cannot be installed but they will work.

 

[Matt400]

just put on some power steps from Amp Research.

I second this idea. I did flares and mud flaps to keep the junk off the rockers. The steps I got from Dodge, other places sell them but they are all made by AMP Research.



The nice thing about the power steps is they drop low so stepping in is easy on the gals and older folks plus with the step lower you don't have to duck down as far to get in. I had tubes on my last 2 Dodges and will never go back after having these. They are expensive but you only choke on the price once.

 

[JThiessen]

I have Stull Stainless Tube Running Boards - they have a 3" dia tube. They look great, and dont require any drilling. However, I can say that I'm not totally thrilled with the mounting system in regards to strength. The fronts are decent, but the box boards hang from a piece of the bed sheetmetal and don't really make good contact. My brother just installed a set of Westins on his Ford, and compared to mine, his structure was like Fort Knox. I'm not a fan of Westins looks, but that structure is as good as it gets.

 

[$crap Iron]

It's been my experience that the running boards cause too much dirt and debris to get trapped between the rocker panel and the running board, causing premature rusting. I really like the look of a "painted to match" running board though. However, I use the tubes now.

 

[ENafziger]

I liked the look of the tubes, with the functionality of the running boards. I found the Onki brand running boards to offer the best of both. I'm happy with them so far.



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