I am going up to order my F150 this weekend. I asking for every option but am undecided on the Running boards. I see that some get them and some don't. Why?

 

I got the black tubular boards on my FX4. I like the way they look and it makes it much easier for my wife and kids to climb in.

 

I have a 4x4 and got the black standard boards. Short people have a big problem getting in without them. I would not be without them.Which ones are a personal taste option.

Mike

 

I would get them. I like the black tubular running bars, but they were on backorder when I ordered my truck, so I told them to forget it. I think it's funny watching my girlfriend struggle in and out of the 4X4 XLT with the Daystar and 285 BFG's. There's always a nice view of her when I open her door. I am tempted not to put any bars on at all!! Not really. I have them on order now. I am not a fan of the running boards, or the chrome, but I like the step bars. The running boards make the truck look lower to me.

 

I have the bright tubular and like them a lot. They flow well with the chorme bumpers.

-ii

 

I have the black tube type boards on my SCAB FX4, helps getting up into the truck.

 

i did not get them and i don't like them. when off road (using my 4x4 for what it was built for) they can get hung up. offraoding in rocky areas it can get real bad. where i usually go is the desert so there is a lot of scrub and bushes around. it sucks to drag one of those across the desert, so I go without. there are some electric retractable ones, but they run over $1k. the only person that has had trouble climbing in my truck was my grandma, but we got her in. she liked the ride once inside. of course, my grandma also likes rollercoasters and beer...

 

Get 'em from the factory, man! I didn't and I wish I had. I wound up getting Westin's and I'm not real happy with them, I think they're too small for the truck. I've got pictures in my gallery. Anyway I paid $344 installed and I think the chrome tubulars from the factory is a $350 option... and you won't have to worry about taking it some place and waiting to have them installed. I got them quick b/c I could already tell at 10000 miles that sliding in and out will wear the seats out pretty quick. Plus, you're wife or girlfriend (or both!! ) will really appreciate it!

 

Bought my 4x4 XLT Screw without any running boards, almost everyone except me was struggling to get in and out and I definitely had concerns about sliding off the edge of the seats. Bought the factory running boards from the dealer ($300.00), makes a big difference in access. One big thing I noticed was doing the installation. Instructions showed knockout plates on back side of rocker panels to attach running boards. When I crawled under the truck, no plates, just 1"x2" holes into the bottom of the rocker panels. I live at the beach and spend a lot of time on the beach with the truck. I can just imagine those holes and throwing nice salty sand up inside the bottom of the rocker panels. Also noticed about 10-15 small chips in the paint on the bottom of the panels from weekly trips to the gravel recycling center. The new running boards took care of the holes and I am hoping they will add some protection from the flying gravel. By the way, dealer wanted $133.00 to install the running boards, took me a total of 30 minutes by myself.

 

I didn't want them when I bought the truck...after I got it I realized they look good and they help getting in the truck...glad they came with the truck, I almost had them remove them

 

Makes entry/exit alot easier and keeps the wear down on the seat edges.

Deffinately a good purchase.

 

I bought my scab with out step bar's,needless to say about a week later I ordered a set of westin's step bars for $189 and installed them in about an hour,black step's for my FX4.

 

had the ford chrome tubulars put on mine.....love them..

 

It's all personal preference. I think the truck looks better without them and they do get hung up a lot if you take it off road.

People (mother in law) do complain sometimes about getting in and out of it, but hey, It's MY truck! The kid loves climbing up into it. If you're pimping it out with all the options, running boards may be more your thing.

Congrats on your future truck!

 

Went with these. Fiancee is 5'4". She uses them. I went with the Westin Platinum because I live up here in MN and they have a lifetime guarantee against rust and finish. I also like the way they add flavor and attitude to the truck.