My father purchased a 2023 Toyota Tacoma 4WD, but it came without steps or running boards. Problem is my father is old and has medical conditions that make it hard and dangerous for him to climb in and out of the truck. He wants to order running boards from Amazon and I advised him not to do so until I research it for him.

He said he thinks the truck comes with running board holes already pre-drilled and tapped from the factory. Is this true ? If it's true, I would assume the better aftermarket brands would come with proper hardware to fit these mounting holes. Is this the case ?

Regarding specific models, do you guys have any recommendations ? He's a street driver only, not any off road driving, so I'm thinking boards or steps that go lower than normal, lower is better for him given his age and conditions, so narrow or slippery nerf bar type boards are out of the question. I'm thinking a chunky platform with built-in steps that go lower for an older man would be best, particularly for his own safety. I'm also avoiding any electrical type steps that go up and down automatically, I can only imagine the maintenance and tragedy that would ensue when an elderly man steps out of a truck whereby the step failed to extend, so that is a hard no out the gate.

I will be doing the installation myself using only high quality aftermarket units, or Genuine Toyota units if they are made for older guys in his situation, depending on what's available and what you guys recommend. I want to prevent him from ordering crap units on Amazon from China with all the inherent fitment, safety, and corrosion issues that come along with those types of risky purchases. He's a little sensitive about price but that's just him, since he's not up to date on stuff like that, but I think I can convince him otherwise if I can rustle up solid recommendations.

Any advice or recommendations much appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:

He said he thinks the truck comes with running board holes already pre-drilled and tapped from the factory. Is this true ? If it's true, I would assume the better aftermarket brands would come with proper hardware to fit these mounting holes. Is this the case ?


Any advice or recommendations much appreciated.

I can help a little on this, whatever you decide on will have the mounting instructions available on their website before ordering. If you go lower it will be difficult to lift for service at some shops. It appears that the mounting holes are already there, just a matter what you find that will work for you height wise. As far as quality that you will to research after you find something that works for you.

I see factory running boards routinely on Facebook or Craigslist. People take off the factory stuff and put on more stylish aftermarket offerings.

I'd check with Toyota dealers who upfit with these aftermarket options. They will likely have some sitting around you could buy.

If he only wants them for a step and will not be doing any off Roading, the factory options will be the cheapest. Most people were replace them and sell them cheaply because they are not the best for off roading.

What’s your budget ?

I have factory ride height on my Tacoma and have BAMF rock sliders that are bolted in to the frame at 8 spots and are strong enough to be jacking points. They are available with diamond plate on top for stepping but I use gorilla grip skateboard tape. I did not get the diamond plate on top.

https://www.bayareametalfab.com/

They weigh like 80 pounds each side of thick tube steel. I lived close enough to pick up at his shop. And my neighbor had a body shop and painted them for me. Shipping may be a deal killer.

Toyota may make some running boards but would not be useful for anything but a step.

One recommendation - Do NOT get steps that have an open back (like a Chrome tube type) because his foot will slip at some point and his foot and leg will go between the rail and the truck frame, resulting in serious injuries. Saw this happen one time years ago with a lady at work. She hurt her leg so bad it took months of rehab., and she was fairly young.

Get step rails that have a closed back and anti-slip material in the area where he will be stepping. Also consider having led lights installed to illuminate the step and ground area.

I got the N-FAB EpYx after after my wife found the factory nerfbar for our 2020 4Runner was too high for her. She wanted something that had a lower step up height and the has to be flat, nit a circular tubing. The EpYx ticked both box. Both our elderly moms in their 90s use it with some assistance from us to get in and out without issues.

Link. This is the link for the Tacoma equivalent. I installed it myself without problem. It came with all the mounting hardware and it uses the factory threaded mounting holes.

Yes the holes are pre-drilled. I bought 2nd Gen Tacoma OEM running boards and installed it on my 3rd Gen 2019 Tacoma without any issue. 1 hour job, both sides, doing it by myself.

OEM 2nd Gen Tacoma running boards

We have the AMP retractable steps on our pick up and could not be happier.
Yes they are expensive but the deploy quickly, are very stable and just plain work even after 8 years of use.
Highly recommend!

https://realtruck.com/p/amp-re.../toyota/tacoma/2023/

https://www.autoaccessoriesgar...kJAxl6RoCRfAQAvD_BwE

I got these for my Tundra due to the closed design.

I bought a 2023 Tacoma last winter and put these on it. I have been very pleased. Yes, holes are there and should have plastic plugs in place. I preassembled in the living room before moving to the cold garage. Straightforward installation. Greased the threads and climbed under a week later to check torque.
https://www.amazon.com/APS-Alu...9&xpid=3cn8_HaxZFGdo

If you are near a Nellis Auction location, check their stuff. They regularly have Tacoma accessories. FYI Nellis auctions off Amazon stuff, returns and other things.

Nellis Auctions

should be able to find some factory predator steps cheap on the forums, FB pages, or the like. lots of people take them off

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
We have the AMP retractable steps on our pick up and could not be happier.
Yes they are expensive but the deploy quickly, are very stable and just plain work even after 8 years of use.
Highly recommend!

https://realtruck.com/p/amp-re.../toyota/tacoma/2023/

I second the AMPs if budget permits. They also deploy a bit lower than factory bolt-ons so it makes stepping up to the running board much easier.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
We have the AMP retractable steps on our pick up and could not be happier.
Yes they are expensive but the deploy quickly, are very stable and just plain work even after 8 years of use.
Highly recommend!

https://realtruck.com/p/amp-re.../toyota/tacoma/2023/

I also have these and have had them for about 7 years. Mine have been adjusted once by the installer and I need to have them adjusted again. But I am happy with the product!

I have something like this for my Tundra and love them. Easy bolt on. No drilling. Uses existing holes. Not slippery.

Go Rhino Running boards

quote:

Originally posted by shiftyvtec:
I see factory running boards routinely on Facebook or Craigslist. People take off the factory stuff and put on more stylish aftermarket offerings.

I'd check with Toyota dealers who upfit with these aftermarket options. They will likely have some sitting around you could buy.

This... +1
You can buy a factory set cheap if you look around.

I’ll second (third?) the factory take-off suggestion. FB Marketplace is overrun with these. Try the Tacoma Classifieds group along with local/state Taco groups.

quote:

Originally posted by sigarmsp226:
One recommendation - Do NOT get steps that have an open back (like a Chrome tube type) because his foot will slip at some point and his foot and leg will go between the rail and the truck frame, resulting in serious injuries. Saw this happen one time years ago with a lady at work. She hurt her leg so bad it took months of rehab., and she was fairly young.

Get step rails that have a closed back and anti-slip material in the area where he will be stepping. Also consider having led lights installed to illuminate the step and ground area.

I thought about the potential open back problem, and I'm glad you brought it up. I ended up with these guys:

https://realtruck.com/p/n-fab-...length-podium-steps/

Like the other excellent recommendations many already posted for closed-back wide steps, these guys above in particular have a feature you can't really see in the picture, and that is a very small sharp lip on the front edge (not literally sharp but you get the point), that should prevent your toe from slipping off the front edge if you don't get a solid foot plant while raining or showing etc. The truck accessory retailer I visited had that particular unit already installed on one of their company trucks, and after I saw that I thought this would be best for him. Hell I might even get them for my own truck, since I have slipped more than once on my factory F150 nerf bar type running "boards". Yea man, I'm getting older myself.

I tell ya, I have been impressed with how well developed this market need has been addressed by so many truck aftermarket makers. It's pretty impressive. I can see how truck dudes can really get into this stuff, esp. when your really need it. Outstanding.

I'll install them on my fathers truck when they come in. I'm looking forward to this plug-n-play installation. I'm pretty sure since this particular manufacturer is an upper tier maker, the bolts that come with them should be properly rated and fairly corrosion resistant. In any case I already have anti-seize, and smaller torque wrenches, if specified by the manufacturer, to get a proper installation so I won't have to worry about the units themselves or my Dad using them.

Those look like a great choice. The open area is so small in the back that a persons foot could not go through it. Thanks for the update. Look forward to seeing these on your dads truck (I have a 2012 Tacoma with no step sides).

Do not forget to consider down lighting when you unlock or open the doors that will light up the steps and the ground where one is stepping. They can be connected to your interior lights that come on when either of these actions occur.