I pick up my 04' F-150 tomorrow morning and I'm thinking about how I'm not really seeing the need or benefit of the tubular running boards from the factory.

I'm seriously considering telling the dealer to drop this cost from my purchase agreement and remove these with the thought that I'm going to add some chrome rocker panel guards and/or side molding (that should come from the factory).

I know the rocker panel chrome pieces are pretty easy to find, but has anyone found a company that has side molding customized per the 04' F-150?

The truck I'm buying, as I mentioned, has running boards. I noticed it already had a little ding and some red paint on the outermost ridge of the passenger door.

As some guys have stated here, the running boards are not going to prevent this from happening if it's an SUV or truck that does the damage and in my opinion the truck doesn't sit high enough to need a step anyway.

 

Allright, as long as I haven't received any real reason to keep the boards, I'm going to drop this option and spend my money on chrome rocker panels and side moldings if possible.

I'm confident the chrome rocker panels will compliment this body design very nicely!

 

...the first real door ding you get remember this post and regret your decision. Good luck though.

 

Like I said, the truck already has a door ding so these boards don't prevent that.

 

The bright Tubular boards DO stop many door dings. Not sure how you got yours but I have checked this out and for many vehicles the tube is at the perfect height to stop em.

Now it will not stop them from a Superduty or some other full size SUV's but it does stop cars and many mid size pickups and SUV.

I disagree about not needing a step. I'm 6'1" and having the step stops me from smashing the side bolster on the seat when getting in and out. This happened on my 01 and after 50,000 miles the side of the seat bolster looked really beat up.

Using the tube to get in and out is much easier on the long term wear of the seat in my opinion.

The only negative I see is that the tubes catch a ton of Mud and Ice buildup.

I'd never put chrome rocker panels on my truck. Next step is the chrome trim rings around the wheelwells and that is a look for the Dodge boys. If your worried about the rockers chipping I'd consider some clear 3m Scotchcal protective film.

Just my 2 cents.

 

i went to my body shop man and had him install a black vinyl one inch molding to my shadow grey xlt,,sticks out about 3/4 inch and does a nice job of protecting the truck and looks nice on it too, cost me $140 installed,, glues on with 3m tape, rock solid

 

do you have any pics, I'm thinking about doing something similar.

 

I have FMC 5" steps that DO stop cars from dinging me. I have fount that the 5", instead of Standard 4" do a much better job of protecting as they prodrude out more.

 

https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=3462

check out my truck with the protective moldings at the above site, the moldings folow the indentation body line,, i like them and they work

 

The real test is that it's tough to see the moldings in your picture. They blend in real nice in the picture.

If you can get a close-up shot, that would be great.

Nice looking truck!

 

ski, those are ford side step/ bars? if so what is the part number? those the factory ones?

 

jpmpd,

I really like the bull bar. What is the make? Looks like the tow hooks have to come out. How difficult/easy was this?

Thanks

 

http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Bul...l_bar-Ford.htm

above is one site,, it has instructions in adobe format to install the bar,, just too old to crawl under the truck anymore,, $60 to install but looks like piece of cake,, holes already there in our 2004 frames for this bar,, i took off the skid plate ,,2 screws,, thought it looks better,, its called the WESTIN ULTIMATE BULL BAR, lifetime warranty against rust,, stainless steel with chrome plating,,also comes in black powder paint,, there are lots of sites that have it,, just make sure you get the ultimate bull bar as it fits our trucks,, westin redesigned it,, check different sites for free shipping and prices,, hooks are only on with bolts,, if no hooks there are popouts in the vinyl skirt on bottom of front bumper good luck,, john

 

Where can you find these?

 

jpmpd...your profile describes your truck as an XLT DSG exterior with TAN interior. According to my sources, there is no such OEM combo. What gives?