Aluminum running boards too high

I have the cast aluminum boards on my SR5. I like them for the door ding and wheel kickup protection, kinda like mudflaps and the non skid finish. Only problem is they're a little too high. Is there any way that they can be lowered? Anyone have the same issue?

 

Maybe put some spacers or something?

 

Got a pic?

 

Have someone fab some brackets. I had a customer with a bad back and she had that done to a set of Westin steps and it helped her out.

 

I had the same issue. I bought channel iron, removed and cut the factory brackets in half, and welded 2" extensions on. Perfectly natural step

 

Yeah, that was my first thought also... I've got the OEM boards and agree, as a step, they are too high.....
Just remove the boards and have someone redesign a new bracket that will lower the boards.... 6 Brackets on mine....!!

 

Yeah, I was hoping that they just sold longer brackets so I can switch them out, but I guess that would be too easy. Here's a pic.

 

Those look like the perfect height. Not everyone needs them high, I'm not going off-road with it.

 

Which color red is your truck. Pretty!

 

Barcelona

 

I'm glad to here others are having the issue with the cast aluminum running boards. I would have thought that the ergonomic guys at Toyota would have recognized that the boards are too high and also stick out a bit too far.
So this is what I'm trying....and no I'm not going to lower the truck! Though some have mentioned it in other threads.
Remove the boards and brackets....obtain 6 bolts M8-1.25 x 100MM. These are the bolts to use in order to extend with to get a 3" drop. Cut two 3" x 1 1/2" diameter section of pipe for the rear brackets (they are identical). Insert the bolts through the two rear brackets and through the pipe. Just snug them up...do not tighten. Now install front bracket on board and install board on two rear mounted brackets that are on truck. Now install pipe for front...this might be the sticky part. The front bracket is different making the bolt length and pipe length different too. By doing this process you will be able to lower your boards and the boards will also migrate in toward the truck by about an 1".
To bad TOYO does not make adjustable brackets....they would sell like hot cakes.

 

I agree there steps are way to high. I had them on my truck when it came off the lot. First week I had the truck I was constantly hitting the back of my leg on them getting in the truck, so I took them off and sold them to recoup some cash. I agree they are a bad ergo design.

 

*shrug* I think they're fine. On the other hand I typically step up onto them getting in and out of the truck. If I wanted something lower slung I'd have gone with something like the predator steps.

 

Well I think I resolved the cast aluminum running board problem. Got the hint from another post. Pipe....Yep...Pipe. 1 1/2" black pipe cut 3" long. You do have to get longer metric bolts so I ordered those thru Amazon Prime. Get (12) 8m 1.25 100MM bolts, stainless if you can. These will replace the little guys that came with the brackets. Cut (6) 1 1/2" black steel pipe to extend the brackets down. *Do not get pipe nipples that are threaded. Now this is the tricky part. The two rear brackets are identical but the front bracket is slightly different so you also need (2) 3/4" black steel nipples cut ~3.25". You see you can't bolt through the front bracket as you do in the rear so you have to re-drill the front bracket to fit. No big deal because the brackets are soft steel not tempered and one other thing about the front bracket...you have to pinch the end that you are bolting just slightly in a vice by about a 3/8". Once installed you now have your boards down about 3 inches. But this is the bonus. Since the brackets are mounted at a slight angle on the body you are not only lowering the boards you are also bringing them in by about an 1". So that little issue of rubbing the back of your leg just about goes away. You can go another inch lower just remember the clearance issue and you will need to go with longer bolts, nipple etc. I did paint the pipe before I installed them so hopefully the rust will be limited.

 

Looking to lower my stock tube steps since i lifted my truck. Was gonna remove cut bracket in middle and extend 2" with c channel , and weld

 

I'm 5'8" and up in age. the stainless steel running boards I had were definitely way too high. Difficult to get into the truck and always dragging my leg against the running boards when I got out.

About The 3rd time I was climbing into the truck, I slipped and ended up with a meniscus tear in my left knee. Took two surgeries and 4 months of therapy to get me back to walking. A year later, and I'm still limping.

Shortly after I slipped, I took off the running boards and sold them to the first person who wanted them. I disliked the 2016 Tacoma (SR) so much that I decided to trade it in on a 2016 Tacoma SR5 without running boards. I then purchased the OEM aluminum steps that made it easier to get into the truck, and no more dragging my leg when stepping out.

 

Don't forget AMP Power Steps: http://www.amp-research.com/products/truckaccessories/powerstep/

 

My wife had the same problem so the engineers at my company have designed a new step and I knew we had to get it right for the Tacomas. We've had nothing but problems with the OEM steps made by Iron Cross and N-fab sitting in the wrong spot and constantly get this call as to how to drop the bars lower or have them sit out. I have the prototype boards for the Havoc HS2 steps and personally love them. I original had the Patriot boards that come from Toyota and my wife couldn't use them after I lifted the truck. The only downfall is they are about a month out for shipping.

 

What kind or coating is going to be on them? They look great.

 

Sorry, it took so long to get back it's been crazy busy. These steps are going to be available in two finishes, currently only one is available. They are stainless steel with a black powder-coated finish on top. Late March we are expecting to release an all polished stainless finish.