Another running board quandry.

I know this has been beat to death ...

Wife is pregnant, which means soon she'll be balance-challenged, and soon after means throwing a small screaming infant into the back seat. Given my 09 has a 2.5 inch lift, she's probably going to need running boards.

Unfortunately, my dad has guilt tripped us into NOT using sliders ("They're round! She can't balance on that!"). This, of course, kills the round tube sliders, as well as Avid's 'imitation' sliders. Maybe the 2" square?

So let me ask this to the shorties and wives of TW: Which would be best for a 5'3" lady balancing a child and all the clutter than comes with one?

-I hate the silver tube steps. Not happening. Ever
- The black OEM? http://www.runningboardworld.com/na...oards-toyota-tacoma-double-cab-2005-2010.aspx
- I like the step kind, but she's nixed it. http://www.runningboardworld.com/n-fab-cab-length-nerf-bars-toyota-tacoma-double-cab-2005-2009.aspx
- These are a compromise: http://www.runningboardworld.com/romik-running-boards-black-toyota-tacoma-crew-cab-2005-2011.aspx
- I REALLY like these, but might be too small (anyone have experience?)
They're the steps on the red Taco http://bodyarmor4x4.com/ba/

Other options?
Thanks for reading, and thanks even more for the guys that get their SO's opinions!

 

Sliders with a plate on top? You could use some diamond plate.

 

Check out sliders with filler plates , saw pics of some in the BAMF slider thread

 

Filler plates as these gentleman said will be your answer to being able to get sliders!
and Jerry has 20% off at the moment I believe

 

Thought about that option too, but most sliders are A) canted inward, and B) relatively snug against the body.

Meaning, it'll still be difficult to use it as a foot hold when you're wrestling a kid into a carset.

But, yeah, I've considered it. I need more folks w/ sliders nearby to have her try them out.

 

Check out Slee Offroad. They have bolt on sliders with a flat stepping area.

Shawn.

 

Thanks for the name. I knew I'd seen that design before.

Don't know how that price tag will go over though - which is about the same as it was around 2 years ago.

 

I agree, pretty pricey. But you can tell your wife you have no choice "it's for the baby"!

Shawn.

 

I like the factory OEM ones my self. Looked at alot of after market ones before I decided. Called my salesman and he hooked me up with a set $340. Bolted on in 30 minutes. Really like the look of them on my Brite White DCSB. Stick out enough so other poples car doors open against them and not my doors.

 

Oh, believe me, I'll be pulling that card

 

not sure why family members have influence on mods for your truck, but to each his own.
using the n-fab 2" sidesteps, but they are not sliders. happy with them, however.

 

Damn that's a hefty price tag for some steps. Seen them sell used for a 100 on cl.

 

I have BAMF sliders myself. I had the same quandary as you and Jerry had no problem making them flat vs angled up as most sliders come. I also got the bolt on version and have no concern that they will hold up when I need them to. The wife and kids love them as steps which was my excuse for getting them in the first place. He has a great deal going on now too.

 

Thats good to know. Ill drop him a line

 

I had a similar dilemma. Don't have any lift but my daughter had trouble getting in the truck. Which of course meant I needed sliders.

Cue completely gratuitous Demello Rock Crushers. She now gets in with ease.

 

I went this route (although my truck is not lifted)

 

i say get maybe N-fabs, most other steps don’t drop down much at all.