Steppin' on up

[Jeremiah]

My wife confessed that she feels like a tree monkey every time she crawls up in our '03 3500 SWR Quad (she may hate it even more if I buy 19" wheels). I hate the looks of running boards :{ although chrome side rails by Westin seem a better alternative. I was wondering whether anyone has experience with the electric Kodiak Sidewinder Step advertised in Geno's Garage.

 

[Badunit]

Does that do anything for you for entry/exit from the rear doors?



I never liked running boards either because they are low hanging fruit to be easily dragged off when four wheeling. But I got my first set when my wife was pregnant and couldn't jump in like she used to. I came to realize that they were very nice to have in parking lots because I could get in my truck pretty easily even if someone was parked really close and I couldn't open the door all the way. And they probably save the seat too because I can step out rather than slide off of the seat and jump. I don't four wheel like I used to so I'm not worried about dragging them off.



I got the Mopar running boards (not the body colored ones but the other kind) and installed them on my '03 this past weekend. I think they look pretty good and they feel solid. If you go this route, there are a lot of holes to drill to put them on and you need a right angle drill or at least a right angle attachment for a drill and I'd recommend a drill bit collar so you can set the max depth (in case the drill bit grabs and pulls into the hole).

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by Badunit

Does that do anything for you for entry/exit from the rear doors?

No, they don't help back seat passengers. But my back seat passengers are Portuguese water dogs 99 percent of the time and they don't need help climbing on board. The Kodiak electric step bars cost less than running boards, but I'd sure hate to buy 'em without talking to somebody who has 'em. I agree with you that sliding in and out will eventually wear down the seats.

 

[jdh63]

I've always used Westin tubular side steps but this time I'm going with the Kodiak powered steps. No more dirty pants leg getting out of the truck. Several friends have 8" - 10" lifts on their trucks and use the extended Kodiak steps with no problems relating to durability. I also like how they keep the lines of the truck clean by retracting out of the way when not in use.

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by jdh63

I've always used Westin tubular side steps but this time I'm going with the Kodiak powered steps. No more dirty pants leg getting out of the truck. Several friends have 8" - 10" lifts on their trucks and use the extended Kodiak steps with no problems relating to durability. I also like how they keep the lines of the truck clean by retracting out of the way when not in use.

Do you know yet whether they can they be installed without drilling into the frame?

 

[David Muench]

I am wrestling with the same question myself. . I am pretty convinced to go with the Kodiaks, but I am concerned with how they hold up when snow thrown from the front wheels starts to pack around them. I know I'm going to pay the price not having running boards on this truck, but I don't think they'd look right. I put some good mudflaps on, hopefully that will stop at least some of the rock chips.



BTW, from what I've heard if you want to poney up the dough you can get a second set of Kodiaks for the back doors. It would definitely be pretty trick. .

 

[Jeremiah]

Kodiak steps

Originally posted by David Muench

I am wrestling with the same question myself. . I am pretty convinced to go with the Kodiaks, but I am concerned with how they hold up when snow thrown from the front wheels starts to pack around them. I know I'm going to pay the price not having running boards on this truck, but I don't think they'd look right. I put some good mudflaps on, hopefully that will stop at least some of the rock chips.



BTW, from what I've heard if you want to poney up the dough you can get a second set of Kodiaks for the back doors. It would definitely be pretty trick. .

I talked to Geno's Garage and as a result I think we need to talk to people who already have the Kodiaks installed to see how successful they are. There are down sides to each application. Running boards work but look crappy. Side rails look good but get pants muddy on people who don't use them. Kodiacs, well, we don't know about them yet.

 

[jdh63]

Kodiak Steps

Mopar has a set of what look to be Kodiak steps. They are more expensive than buying the Kodiak steps from Geno's but they do come with a 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty and are installed by the dealer. In theory, this should eliminate any issues that arise from the installation.

 

[crebelein]

Re: Kodiak Steps

Originally posted by jdh63

Mopar has a set of what look to be Kodiak steps. They are more expensive than buying the Kodiak steps from Geno's but they do come with a 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty and are installed by the dealer. In theory, this should eliminate any issues that arise from the installation.

they bolt to the body though... that freaks me out... do they still make ones that bolt to the frame? that seems like it would be much better and more secure.

 

[David Muench]

It looks to me like it bolts to the body and the frame.

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Kodiak Steps

Originally posted by jdh63

Mopar has a set of what look to be Kodiak steps. They are more expensive than buying the Kodiak steps from Geno's but they do come with a 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty and are installed by the dealer. In theory, this should eliminate any issues that arise from the installation.

I went to the dealer today to talk about this issue and he didn't have a clue what electric steps were, nor did he know about similar installations. They sell Mopar running boards, Westin step bars and such. Thanks for the contribution, tho!

 

[Badunit]

Mopar accessories has electric steps. If you don't have a catalog, go to www.dodge.com , owner tools , get accessories , dodge ram , exterior accessories , running boards and side steps , and look at "side steps, powered" Part #82206821 for $625.

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by Badunit

Mopar accessories has electric steps. If you don't have a catalog, go to www.dodge.com , owner tools , get accessories , dodge ram , exterior accessories , running boards and side steps , and look at "side steps, powered" Part #82206821 for $625.

Wow, and that's $625 each. Out of my price bracket. But I took a look and I thank you for sharing the info!

 

[Dean Upson]

The moulded running boards from Mopar list for $695 painted or $635 primed. I have them on my truck and I think they look pretty good, they were painted bright silver from the factory and match the lines and color of my truck.



Dean

 

[D808]

I plan to buy the Westin wheel well to wheel well tubular side bars. They will make it easy to step up and reach into the front of the bed. I had Westins on my '96, and even with the northern Ohio road salt, they still looked good when I sold it two months ago. They were chrome plated over stainless steel.



Federal Man

 

[Jeremiah]

Westin stuff

Originally posted by federalman

I plan to buy the Westin wheel well to wheel well tubular side bars. They will make it easy to step up and reach into the front of the bed. I had Westins on my '96, and even with the northern Ohio road salt, they still looked good when I sold it two months ago. They were chrome plated over stainless steel.



Federal Man

They aren't available for '03s yet, are they?

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by Dean Upson

The moulded running boards from Mopar list for $695 painted or $635 primed. I have them on my truck and I think they look pretty good, they were painted bright silver from the factory and match the lines and color of my truck.



Dean

We call 'em stump-snaggers in Colorado. Same for side bars.



But sometimes we have to do things we wouldn't otherwise do in order to keep peace in the family. I am also concerned that sliding in and out of the seats will eventually pull the leather apart. Do the moulded running boards require drilling or do they bolt on?

 

[Dean Upson]

Jeremiah,



They were dealer installed as part of the arrangement when I ordered the truck. I just went out to the garage and looked under the truck to see how they were installed. There are 3 big brackets holding each board to the body of the truck. I think they used existing holes, but I am not sure. The area the boards are bolted to is pretty rugged and I can't imagine overloading them. They have a black step area that is pretty much the top of the boards and the ends match the contours of the truck looking at them from the side. I had a similiar arangement on my 98 and had no problems with them. I did manage to evade stumps, however . My wife really likes them (she insisted on them) and being short, so do I. I would post some pics but I have had no luck figuring out how to do it .



Dean

 

[D808]

The last time I checked, Westin was in the last stages of development for the 2003 HD wheel to wheel side bars. That was about a month ago, so they should be available any time now.



My four wheel drive dually is so high that I really won't worry about hitting anything with them. One good advantage is that they give the sides of your truck really good protection in parking lots.



Federal Man

 

[navyramman]

I am happy with my Westin side bars. I had them on my old 98 dodge I traded in.