Running Boards

Running boards or side steps are accessories that are located on the underside (one or both sides) of the vehicle, usually on the underside of a truck or SUV door. Running boards are platforms that attach to the door, and installing running boards can improve the utility of your vehicle. This item has two main functions. The most obvious function is as a step. Users often have difficulty getting in and out due to the high ground clearance. These raised platforms make it much easier to get in and out of the cab of your vehicle, and they help the children or elderly members of your family get in and out with ease. They are usually made with non-slip heavy duty steel and rubber mats or heavy duty plastic mats.

Tools and Materials You'll Need: Running boards, A ratchet and socket set, An impact driver, Screwdriver, Drill and drill bits,  Safety glasses, Wax pencil

Installation Steps

• Check the Materials: Make sure all the parts and tools are present before you begin the installation.
• Read the instructions: This is an essential step.
• Determine and mark the position: Hold the running boards up to the side of your vehicle to determine their ideal placement. Mark the locations where the brackets will attach and need to be drilled(If the running boards have pre-drilled holes for the brackets, this is not neccessary).
• Install the Brackets: Align the brackets with these holes, install fasteners finger-tight and attach them using the provided washers and hardware. Don’t tighten them completely at this stage.
• Attach the Running Boards:  Aligning the mounting holes on the board with the brackets underneath.  Secure the running boards to the mounting brackets using the provided bolts, washers, and nuts. Tighten them securely but not excessively.
• Check for Alignment: Ensure that the running boards are level and properly aligned with the vehicle.
• For the Other Side: repeat the installation process on the other side.
• Final Check and Tightening: Double-check that all bolts are  tightened and that the running boards are securely attached to the mounting brackets.

Pros

• Ease of entry and exit: Running boards provide a more stable, level surface for entering and exiting taller vehicles, making it easier for passengers, especially children, the elderly and those with limited mobility.
• Aesthetic enhancement: Add a stylish touch to your vehicle and create a streamlined appearance, giving it a more rugged or stylish look, depending on the design and material chosen.
• Protection: Shield the lower portion of the vehicle body from road debris, mud and rocks, helping to prevent damage and minimize wear and tear.
• Additional seating: Running boards can double as seating when the vehicle is parked, providing a convenient place to sit or rest while outdoors.
• Improve interior cleanliness: Running boards can act as a doormat for people entering the vehicle; a place where passengers can wipe dirt off their feet before entering the vehicle.
• Protect the car: A running board can prevent some of this debris from being thrown high enough to scratch or damage doors and side panels.

Cons

• Reduced ground clearance: Installing running boards reduces the vehicle's ground clearance.
• Cleaning Challenge: They can collect dirt, mud, and road salt; when dirt and snow collect on the running boards, they can make the entire vehicle appear dirtier.
• Faster seat deterioration: Passengers tend to slide out of their seats and onto the running board instead of getting out of the truck.

Running Board

• Style: Running boards are typically large and rectangular, running the length of the truck cab.
• Materials: Popular materials used for these are aluminum, fiberglass, and polymer.
• Functionality: Running boards provide a larger surface area for stepping. Not only do running boards function as a way to more easily step into the interior of your vehicle, but they can also more adequately act as a buffer against debris and other materials that may hit your vehicle.
• Vehicle Fit: Running boards are generally found on almost every vehicle, from SUVs and pickup trucks to smaller vehicles.

Side Step

• Style: They can come as customizable boards with steps attached or as rounded cylindrical steps with custom pads attached to the top (commonly called nerf boards).
• Materials: Many side steps are made of alloy or some type of steel like stainless steel, alloy, or coated steel.
• Functionality: Individuals entering a vehicle will likely have to contend with a narrower step, as side steps are either constructed as a single step or are tubular or cylindrical and include step pads.
• Vehicle Fit: SUVs and pickup trucks, they can also be found on smaller vehicles for more aesthetic purposes.

The answer is "no" because they are designed to fit specific makes and models of vehicles. Most running boards are made to fit the dimensions and contours of specific vehicles.