Wheel to wheel Running boards for Access cab! ARGH!!

I've been racking my brain trying to find some wheel-to-wheel running boards so I can have a step back at the bed (after access cab). Perhaps I'm picky - but I'm determined to exhaust all other options before *settling* for something I don't really want. Or I'll just go without...??

I really like the look of the Toyota OEM running boards and have spent a lot of time trying to research the feasibility of buying double cab version for my access cab. It really can't be done without some major re-designing and fabbing brackets.

My next thought was some square tube sliders from Demello. The double tubes are too expensive. The single tube are a nice price but they don't stick out far enough (Jason doesn't recommend making the legs longer as it'll look weird). He recommends the rounded sliders which stick out far enough... the round sliders are $$ and I don't necessarily want to step on round bars.

Then I started reseaching wheel-to-wheel options. Most that I've seen are tube steps. I hate tube steps....been there done that on my 96 and I don't wanna go there again (no offense).

I like the look of the N-fabs, but they don't make a *bed access*or 6 step version for the access cab. I looked on their website and couldn't find any bed access for the tacoma. http://www.n-fab.com/products.toyota.asp
I sent an e-mail to N-fab asking them about this - waiting for a response.

Something like this but for an Access cab....These are Go Rhino, and they don't make 'em for the Tacoma either.


Anyone got any suggestions? Thoughts...? Help?

Am I the only person who wishes someone would make something like this?

 

i like the look of a solid straight bar better IMO

 

Janster, have you considered those spring loaded steps that are available? I've also seen ones that pivot out or under the truck when not in use.

 

What do they mount to? The frame?

That's a toyota part then?

 

Make your own, Janster. Then you can sell them and make oodles of money!

 

Are you talking about the x-sp running boards like missleman has? I've only seen them on DC, but I had a pair on my Acc truck at one time:



Are you looking for something like that?

 

Phantom, they look good on your truck. Requesting N-fab to make a 6 step variaty would be very hard to do.... That'd be extra fabrication & design work for them. I highly doubt they'd do that unless they knew they could sell 'em (and lots of 'em)

Never considered the spring loaded version....not sure it's what I'd want. Afterall, having them stick out permanently is nice to protect from door dingers.

Silverback - that's getting closer, although I could do without the chrome (laugh) Their website (rampageproducts) is somewhat annoying. It's too bad they don't have any pictures of the stuff.... I'd be interested to see exactly what else they have/pictures.

Joe - I can't make my own. I don't have time, tools, or the garage for it.
I can possibly make bracketry, but that's about it. Small stuff...

It'd be nice to just order a set of Double cab OEM running boards and see exactly what needs to be done to fabricate a 3rd mount to the frame. But - I'm hesitant just for the sake that something won't work out and Toyota won't take them back as a 'return'.

Oh well.... I'm picky, I know. But, I have a certain thought in my mind and its hard to get rid of it.

Keep the thoughts coming! Thanks for helping me brainstorm!

 

Jan, N-fab will do any kind of custom work you want. I've contacted them before regarding a custom set and they said it'd be no problem and even quoted me a price that was no higher than a set that was normal production.

 

Silverback - I think I was getting yours mixed up with the ones that Joedirt posted. Been clicking on so many different things here lately...

EquinsuOcha - didn't know that. Who do you have to contact to ask about custom work? I think I've e-mailed them a year ago about a similar question but didn't get any results.

THanks gang!

 

I just sent an email to info@n-fab.com and got a response back from Thomas Fichter, the CEO of N-Fab. His email is fichter@wt.net. I mentioned not being able to see what they look like on an access cab and he sent me these two pics that I attached. I hope any of that helps you out.

 

THanks!!

I like the N-fabs, they are pretty cool. For what I'm looking for, its almost like I'd want those steps continuously across the entire side. Hmm... I might borrow your picture to do some photochopping. I wonder if Thomas wouldn't mind taking a look.... (or else I'll discover how stupid it looks - laugh)

 

EquinsuOcha,
I borrowed your picture...I hope you don't mind. It was the perfect picture to work with. Havin a little fun....Nothing special and please excuse my lack of Photoshop skills.

IGNORE THE SHADOW!

Bars drop down like the original N-fabs, just the whole way across.


Bars sitting upward & level with the other bar - straight across?


Whatta ya think Thomas will say about these? Cost an arm & a leg ya think?

 

you could also look at a set of rock sliders

 

Already been lookin.... I'd want the square tubes. Just weighing my options and prices. The square tubes that I'd want cost $399.... a bit high for someone who will never offroad. So I've got that on the back burner, believe me.

 

the n-fab steps are real nice from what i have seen me and my dad both like them alot he wants the steps for his double cab and i'm still looking at sliders and having them linexed so they will not be slick when i use them as a step or if someone desides to park close to my truck and open there door nice and hard in to my truck they meet the slider first

 

For those of you with OEM running boards on your Double Cab - Could you snap a picture of the 'mounting bracket' at the rear doors? If you could get the 'frame' in the picture... I wanted to see where the bracket it in relation to the frame.

Also - that top pad.... does that come off?

In other words...can you remove that top rubber part to expose the bolts that hold the brackets on?

 

as far as i know on my DC running boards the top is not removable but the brackets bolt on to the step in a channel on the bottom that allows you to basically move the brackets where ever you want them. They might work for you.

 

Are there only 2 mounting points?

For some reason, I thought there'd be 3 mounting points.?? But don't know for sure.

I'm sooo tempted to order some and just throw them on and hope the mounting holes are all the same on the cab. But ..if you're saying the brackets are removable...hmmm...

I might be able to order some and do a test fit.... if they didn't work for whatever reason, he'd return them for no fees (restocking).

 

yes there are three mounting brackets on my DC but the third can easily be removed so you can space out the other two. With no restock fees give it a try, cant hurt and you will know!!

 

Here are a couple of pictures of what you are looking for. I have three mounting points.