Rust From Running Boards

I was thinking of putting factory OEM running boards on my 2019 TRD OR. My son is telling me by doing this it exponentially increases the chances of the cab rusting and will cause the paint to rub off on the pinch welds. Seems far fetched to me but has anyone out there heard of or experienced this issue. Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

I just put a set on my 2019 that are factory OEM, and they simply screwed into existing plugged holes, best of all, they are aluminum and a dense plastic/poly. I couldn’t see anything that would be an issue with the factory, but I coat the shit outa everything with some sort of petroleum product in the rust belt.

 

Don't they mount to the frame?

 

No


There are many things to worry about. If you keep the truck salt free and relatively clean, rust from running boards should not be a major concern.

 

Nah they mount on the floor

 

Dis^

 

If the running boards cause rust on the cab, I would bet a pretty penny the frame is Swiss cheese by that point lol

 

ahh gotcha!

I still think they wouldn't cause rust, so long as you are not removing paint, or recovering.

 

There's pre drilled and threaded spots to bolt them on. When I put them on my old Tacoma I had to buy a thread tap to chase the threads.

 

They actually prevent stones from chipping the lower doors and rocker panel areas. I would treat my tacoma with Krown, Fluid Film, Wool Wax, Surface Shield, or Cosmoline prior to the install, and put boards, and bigger mudflaps on, if I was worried about rust. I did this from day one, with my 2019. with 40k on it, the thing looks like new still. Ski

 

As others have said… Factory OEM running boards would bolt to the factory OEM mounting points. (underside of cab, already threaded, with plastic plugs)

Remove the plugs, spray with Fluid Film, Cosmoline or whatever, spray the back side of the mounting brackets, and install the running boards.

I installed Predator steps on my SR and no concerns about rusting, and absolutely nothing to do with pinch welds.

 

running boards look bad, offer no protection, rip out threads, dent the body, decrease clearance, and get caught/hung up on obstacles and legs

they don't cause rust.

 

Thanks for all the info. I think they'll be fine as far as rust goes. The truck has been treated with Fluid Film anti is stored inside from December until I get back from Florida in May.

 

My $.02 is that steps can help prevent potential rust but at the same time also contribute to potential rust................. They can potentially prevent some rust by helping to deflect road debris before it hits your paint and causes chips and exposed metal. Steps can possibly contribute to rust by creating little areas for things like salt or de-icing solutions from winter roads (if you drive in that type of environment) to collect. Some steps are better or worse depending on how they mount to your truck and clearances they provide between the steps and the cab/body of the truck.
I have the OEM predator-type steps - not because I like them the best, but they offered me a good compromise of what I wanted - which includes avoiding rust since I live in Iowa. Those steps are aluminum (less oxidation concerns). They attach to factory threaded holes (so no drilling which just invites rust formation if you're not super duper careful). And they don't sit so close the cab that I get a lot of snow/ice collection in the winter that a pressure wand won't blast away. There are many other pros and cons to consider with steps - clearance, accessibility, weight, aesthetics, etc but that's a whole other thread. I also sprayed the attachment points with cosmo just because I hate rust and my truck doesn't see any real offroad action.

 

Running boards hold that disgusting road snow/salt/rusting agents up against the rocker panels. I am of the opinion that it turbo charged the disintegration of them on my last vehicle.

 

I too have the OEM aluminum boards and I don’t have any rust issues.

 

Definitely can contribute to rust, it doesn’t sound like it will be an issue for you if it’s in storage most of the winter and treated with fluid film

For those who have never lived in the rust belt, snow and ice, with salt and worse chemical deicers, will build up on them, until it’s solid between the steps and the body. They will hold ice, slush and moisture against the body

 

I really like how they look bit'll probably just blow it off for now. Thanks for all the info.