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Running boards for a 14' TE Prem.

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by RingSteel, Sep 23, 2014.

  1. Sep 23, 2014 at 5:34 PM
    #1
    RingSteel

    RingSteel [OP] CH-47C - http://www.geronimos.org

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    High folks.
    Well my challenge is to find a solution for my wife. She is 5'2" and the OEM tubes although very nice looking are up so high she nor I can use them for entry/egress.

    Yet she can climb up into the Tundra with great ease!
    So below I will post some pics and hope I can share my ideas with you all and see what you all have to offer for solutions.
    20140923_191435(0).jpg 20140923_191440.jpg
    So here we have a very close gap up to the door sill. I understand its function but we will not be doing any rock crawling. We will be taking trails in Colorado next year on vacation but she will not let me get nuts on trails lol...

    Here we have the clearance on the Tundra:

    20140923_185530.jpg 20140923_185545.jpg
    So as you can see there is about a 4" inch gap from the step to the door sill. For a short guy like me this is a better step into the cab feel then my Lariat with boards. I like these a lot!

    1- So now my idea is this: can the mounts used on the Tundra be used for the mounts on the 4Runner in order to lower the bars?
    2-If so can they be bought as separate items?
    3- An alternate solution costs about $300 or so. http://tinyurl.com/lo5jl4s Even with this running board set up, the picture is not clear as to give an idea of distance between step and door sill.

    My preference is to keep the oval tubes and simply lower them and its not 3 bills.

    OK, hope I conveyed the problem statement and types of solutions. Look forward to some the seasoned owners out there and see what yah'll can share.

    Thanks.....
     
  2. Sep 23, 2014 at 5:50 PM
    #2
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    How much thread is there on the bolts to the running boards? To do it as cheaply as possible I'd put washers in behind them to drop the boards down and get longer bolts if need be
     
    NW4R likes this.
  3. Sep 23, 2014 at 6:04 PM
    #3
    RingSteel

    RingSteel [OP] CH-47C - http://www.geronimos.org

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    Nice thanks...I knew i would miss the obvious....so glad I posted this!

    The bolts to the running boards themselves have to stay the same; did you mean the bolts mounting underneath the frame?

    And if so now I'm thinking 2" square tubing for spacers then use grade 8 bolts.

    Whaddah yah think??


    I will take a look at this and go to NAPA and get some grade 8 bolts and washers, preferably SS. :notsure:
     
  4. Sep 23, 2014 at 6:37 PM
    #4
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    Yup that's exactly what I was thinking of, where it mounts, I think it'd be the most cost effective solution
     
  5. Sep 23, 2014 at 7:03 PM
    #5
    RingSteel

    RingSteel [OP] CH-47C - http://www.geronimos.org

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    Cool thanks...alrighty my first mod.....woo....hooo......yeah don't take much to get me excited......lol....
     
    wnelax04sr5 likes this.
  6. Mar 9, 2015 at 6:11 PM
    #6
    RingSteel

    RingSteel [OP] CH-47C - http://www.geronimos.org

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    OK......presently contracting and found a machine shop that can cut me 6 2" sq. tubing and center drill the holes.....anyone know the bolt diameter?

    12, 14 mm? I can get them cut and drilled this weekend and drop the boards for her truck......

    Thanks....
     
  7. Jul 27, 2015 at 10:47 AM
    #7
    RingSteel

    RingSteel [OP] CH-47C - http://www.geronimos.org

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    Well, finally after much waiting and my contract job completed here is what the lowered bars look like.20150521_130005.jpg

    Used 2" square tubing and a drill press. NAPA had the grade 8 bolts 2 1/2" SS.
    Wife now happy she can use these to hop up into her 4 Runner....
    Cheap mod took a few hours and the short pieces of tubing were donated by a welding shop that had scrap laying around. To which I'm very thankful..Well a happy ending, hopes it helps other vertically challenged folks...HA...:cheers:
     
    UssMoGn likes this.
  8. Jul 27, 2015 at 6:40 PM
    #8
    UssMoGn

    UssMoGn That Vegas Dude

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    Thats what i was thinking! Good job!
     

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