OEM Cast Aluminum Boards - how do you like them and can we see them?

Waddup peeps, just got a new to me 2020 Tacoma and looking at some of the step options that exist out there.

I have a deal in place for the OEM Cast Aluminum Boards for cheap, but wanted to get everyone's experiences before I pull the trigger. How does everyone like them? Do they sit too high? Are too wide? Any pics on your rig?

 

As long as the anodizing holds up well to chipping your fine.

myself I like steel easy to repaint as needed it depends how many gravel roads and if you see winter chemicals all winter.

 

They are ok, probably even with mudflap(width wise), I’ll try and get a better pic.

 

Came on my truck and I dont mind them. Keeps rocks and debris from kicking up on your paint and keeps the door dings away.

 

Just putting it out there, if for some reason you don't like the OEM cast aluminum boards, I ended up buying the APS iBoard from Amazon (

$264 APS iBoard Running Boards (Nerf Bars Side Steps Step Bars) Compatible with Toyota Tacoma 2005-2023 Double Crew Cab (Black Powder Coated 5"es)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013IMXQ66) and I am really impressed. I'm a big boy and they hold weight pretty damn well; they are wide enough to stand on and they weren't as expensive as other options. I know you said you have a lead on a good price but I wanted to offer a possible alternative.

 

I put some on mine, primarily as a sort of mud flap extension for rock protection and such. They weren’t cheap but I like them quite a bit, steel was not really an option for me since I am in the Land O’ Chemical Brines.

They are wide which also helps with door dings I have read (most car doors will hit it before your sheetmetal).

The finish is some sort of heavily textured paint (almost looks like burnt plastic), and it’s like rough sandpaper..very grippy but if you or your passengers drag your bare calf across it you’re gonna know it.

Finally I like that they’re low profile but your entry/exit strategy will need adjusting. Too wide to ignore, too high to really work like a traditional step. But that also means they’re great for getting up and scraping frost on the windshield, getting at the roof/roof rack/etc. and the width plus the texture makes your footing very sure compared to smooth paint/plastic/rubber that might be on other steps.

 

They are good for getting your pants dirty around the ankles...

 

this is important, many of the Chinesium branded don't seem to have a good anodizing and look terrible within a few years.

 

It is some sort of coating or paint, definitely not anodized.

 

Mine came with the truck when I bought it new last year. So far they're good. Though we haven't had much snow in NJ in the last year. I'm on the short side, so they help me get to the
roof when I'm washing the truck, or for some strange reason use the OEM roof rack that also came with the truck. Mind you this picture was taken the day after I got it in April of 22. The second is from April of this year, when I had to move my other mode of transportation out of the garage for a cleaning and Tune Up. If I could only get that house next door to be rebuilt from Hurricane Sandy, my pictures would be much better.

 

I had them on my truck when I bought it. I am 5'9" and they were not useful as a step and, the bigger issue, they got in the way for me when getting out of the truck. I had to step over them and them they hit me in the back of the calf when getting out. I didn't like them and replaced them with NFAB steps.

 

Sharp Bug my man!

 

Thank You. When you get close to it, it shows it's age. But it's a blast to drive, especially when going from the Tacoma and then driving the Bug.
It's laid up rite now. The front sway bar bushings (it's the Super Beetle) are almost 50 years old and pretty much shot. I'm waiting for the entire front end replacement parts to come in.

 

Couple more shots, the limited was loaner with tube steps that look pretty good also. That loaner had every accessory but just realized no mud flaps.

 

Kind of miss how it looked with no running boards,

 

Same here, but a necessary evil for me unfortunately. I am just glad they’re pretty low profile.

 

I like them a lot. I had them on my first 3rd gen in 2016 and repurchased them when I got my 2022 truck. Helps with door dings, my kids have a step to get in and out of the truck, and they match the truck well.

 

If you are worried about rust extreme terrain has a plastic set for like $300. I have the predator steps and step is chipping but still solid.

 

What year is the beetle? My wife has a 1977 Sun Beetle.

 

I put them on in the winter, keeps the crud off. They also keep the door dingers away.