Running boards and side skirts

Hi All, I have a 2013 Limited 4Runner that has motorized running boards. I didn't really like them much but then after one died and the dealership said it would cost 2k to replace the motor, I decided to replace them with aftermarket standard running boards that I bought from Ironman 4x4. I was able to remove the running boards and install the new ones, however I did not realize until I was installing the new ones that they are not compatible with the side skirts. It doesn't look too bad without them, but I would definitely prefer to have something vs. nothing. It seems like the side skirts on my neighbors TRD Pro are much slimmer to account for the different style running boards. Has anyone dealt with something like this? I am nervous to just purchase something online and hope it works as generally you have to pay for shipping to return items like this, and that would be pretty expensive given the size. If anyone has recommendations, I would definitely appreciate it. Thanks!

 

The rocker panel trim from a 2010-2013 Trail or 2014+ Trail/Off Road, or SR5 is what you need if you want to run the standard (vs 2013 rocker trim compatible version) running boards. Toyota oem rocker panel trim is the only option.

YouTube is your friend.

 

Thank you! Yes, I found a YouTube video of someone doing the same thing and got the part numbers. The only concern I have is in the fitment check on most part sites, it seems like everything works except for the small cap at the front of the panel that covers the weird gray box with the red clip. They seem to only work for 2014+ models. According to Chat-GPT and at least one other site, it says that it will fit with potentially minor modifications. The part is relatively cheap in the grand scheme of things, so I will just give it a go, although if it requires cutting or shaving any parts off, I'm not really equipped to do that. Do you happen to know if that part fits a 2013?

This is the RHS part number I found: 75857-35010 Fender Molding (Right)

 

Hey yo Doc...
Where are you located?
Did you keep the auto boards or did you junk them already? I actually need a part off one and would happily pay you good money for what you have left or some individual parts if possible.

BUT onto the rockers. The 2010-2013 almost all came with a low side skirt. Only the Trail model had the short side skirt / rocker. After the 2014 redesign Toyota used shorter side skirt / rockers on the SR5, Trail, TRD Offroad, Pro, and only kept the longer low hanging side skirts on the Limited and TRD Sport. Yes its confusing but its not hard to understand when you wrap your brain around it all.

You have a Limited with the low hanging side skirt.
Your running boards are "accidentially" meant for a standard SR5 or OffRoad
You could have emailed or called the company you ordered from and asked them if they had a longer set of brackets to allow their boards to work with the 2010-2013 model OR on a Limited Trim. The only difference is a longer set of brackets to allow the running board to sit lower with the lower side skirt. There are some models of running board that have an adjustable bracket so you can adjust which height you need the running boards set at.

If you dont swap the brackets, or get a set of running boards with the correct longer brackets, you gotta go thru the hassle of removing the side skirt, and replacing it with the shorter 2014+ SR5 side skirt AND replacing the fender flare caps that go on the ends of the side skirt. I think its a LOT less hassle and less money to just get longer brackets. Or at worst case if the company doesnt make longer brackets you can always take the brackets to a fab shop and pay like $50 to have the brackets cut and welded 2.5" longer

 

You are 100% correct...It would have been far less expensive to get running boards that actually worked with the longer side skirts (I did not do enough research before embarking on this journey). The cost of the replacement rocker panels is mindboggling, especially when you add in the shipping. I'm pretty sure I never could have gotten the automatic running boards off without removing the side skirts though. Probably with the right tools it could be done, but with my lame socket wrench, it was very hard to access the bolts in a position that allowed for enough torque to break the seal on the bolts. I started down that path before I realized that the side skirts needed to be removed anyhow, and it was very slow going. I do have all of the OEM parts (side skirts, automatic running boards and the aluminum rails they attach to). The motor on the drivers side failed, which was going to be 2k to replace, which is how I got here in the first place, but everything else is in good shape. Happy to consider parting with some/all of it once I complete this journey. I need to make sure I can finish the job. I know some folks seem to just leave the skirts off completely, but I don't love the look of that. I live just east of Seattle.

 

You might want to reach out to (PM) @Daytonaviolet - he did the whole conversion of a Limited to a Pro look, including the rocker panels. Although, you might get other ideas that will empty your wallet!

 

you’ll also need the front flare connector to complete the look


75857-35010 Rocker Molding Front RIGHT 1 $27.23
75858-35010 Rocker Molding Front LEFT 1 $27.23
75395-04010 Rocker Molding Fastener LEFT 2 $2.73
75395-04010 Rocker Molding Fastener RIGHT 2 $2.73