Running boards, generally additionally referred to as footboards, are a type of aftermarket equipment that make car house owners wonder if they’re essential. Of course, you’ve pushed your Jeep TJ Wrangler or Grand Cherokee all this time, however now you’re looking at operating boards and asking your self for those who want them.
But for those who see a passenger struggling to get into your automotive, otherwise you spot the identical Jeep mannequin as yours however with operating boards and notice it seems higher than your Jeep, you’ll most likely determine you now need operating boards.
Running boards make entry and exit from a car’s cabin simpler. Whether it’s due to an individual’s top, a medical or bodily situation, or as a result of you might have children, putting in operating boards can improve the utility of your Jeep.
So right now, we’ll go over the steps for selecting one of the best operating boards to enhance your Jeep’s aesthetics and flexibility.
Via Truck Paradise.
What Are Running Boards?
Running boards are elective add-ons put in on the backside of the car, sometimes on the foot of the door, for folks to step on them as they exit or enter the automotive. Running boards are additionally generally referred to as operating bars or facet steps (though facet steps are barely totally different) and are essential to guard your automotive’s physique from rocks and particles that come off the bottom whereas driving.
Running boards are normally huge and flat and nearly flush with the physique or rocker panel, with little or no hole between the car and the board.
Why Would You Install Running Boards on Your Jeep?
There are many advantages to proudly owning a Jeep. First, they’re well-known for their versatile capabilities, which permit them to navigate tough terrain, amongst different makes use of. Still, getting on and off a Jeep will be difficult for some drivers, particularly these with a incapacity or brief top.
Fortunately, operating boards is not going to solely make getting out and in of the car simpler, however they will help increase the seems of your Jeep. Here are some extra compelling the explanation why it is best to set up operating boards in your Jeep.
They Improve Vehicle Access
Running boards give passengers an additional step to position their toes and raise themselves to the Jeep, making it simpler to get into and off the car.
They Increase Safety
Installing operating boards makes your Jeep safer as a result of when somebody is having issue climbing into your Jeep, they could slip and injure themselves, particularly in dangerous climate.
They Can Protect Your Jeep From Road Debris
Installing operating boards will defend the facet of your Jeep from highway particles by blocking kicking rocks that would injury the doorways, particularly when off-roading.
Some Options Are Retractable
If you don’t wish to change the look of your Jeep with mounted operating boards, choose for these which might be retractable. These solely seem once you open the door to descend or climb into the car and improve its clearance when wanted.
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Some People Prefer the Style
If you’re trying to enhance your Jeep’s look, the appropriate operating boards could make your Jeep look extra imposing, streamlined, or rugged.
Your Seats Will Last Longer
With automobiles with larger clearance, like a Jeep, you sometimes slide over the seat as you alight, which degrades the seat to some extent the place it rips. Running boards will help stop untimely put on and tear in your seats.
Washing Your Jeep Will Be Easier
Since Jeeps sometimes have larger clearance and extra mud and filth than the common automotive, totally cleansing the highest floor will be difficult with out one thing to position your foot on. Running boards provide you with an additional step to make washing the highest of your Jeep simpler.
Install operating boards in your Jeep to take benefit of all these advantages. They’ll make getting in and off your Jeep simpler and safer, defend the car, improve its look, and prevent money and time in the long term. For instance, SuncentAuto has 12 totally different running boards available for a 203 Wrangler.
Via Sherry 4×4 YouTube channel.
What Are Your Options for Running Boards?
There’s no “one measurement matches all” concerning operating boards. Instead, they arrive in several styles and sizes to go well with every driver’s particular wants.
So with none additional ado, let’s have a look at the totally different sorts of operating boards obtainable. Various operating boards supply totally different advantages, however electrical and conventional operating boards are the most typical.
Electric Running Boards
Electric operating boards are the most costly within the automotive market. These operating boards obtain indicators from their management module to swing out when somebody opens or closes a car’s doorways and tuck themselves in when the door closes.
Some electrical operating boards include LED illumination that will help you see clearly whereas getting down out of your Jeep at night time.
Traditional Running Boards
Traditional operating boards are mounted flat boards which you could mount beneath your car’s doorways and are sometimes fairly huge, with a mean width of three to five inches. In addition, some standard operating boards include LED lighting to information you when stepping out of your automotive at night time.
Via SuncentAuto.
Side Steps
It is important to distinguish operating boards from facet steps, which generally have custom-made top and floor clearance. And whereas automated operating boards can even have a customizable top, facet steps normally have particular person step pads and are narrower.
Side steps are usually hooked up within the small area between the car’s step and physique, and though they’re widespread on bigger automobiles equivalent to SUVs and pick-up vehicles, it’s commonplace to see them on smaller vehicles. Side steps sometimes run by the entire physique of the car.
What Else Should You Know about Running Boards?
Here are a number of different issues to think about when shopping for operating boards for your Jeep:
Materials
Running boards can be found in aluminum, polymer, fiberglass, or ABS molded boards. In the case of aluminum, operating boards are light-weight and might last more, however they’re sometimes costlier. Keep in thoughts that the fabric of a operating board impacts its performance and sturdiness.
Sizing & Proper Fit
One of essentially the most important points when selecting operating boards is guaranteeing they suit your car. Although some operating boards could also be common, some are made for particular fashions.
So the primary facet to think about is size. As the identify suggests, cab-length operating boards must be so long as your cab.
On the opposite hand, wheel-to-wheel operating boards will begin the place the entrance wheel ends, extending past the cab and slicing off simply earlier than the rear wheel.
The second measurement consideration is step width, since operating boards sometimes include a predetermined width and form relying on what you select for your Jeep’s mannequin 12 months.
Via George Lopez How To Do It Yourself YouTube channel.
Installing & Mounting Your Running Boards
Installing your operating boards will depend on your Jeep mannequin. However, most necessities and steps for Jeep accent set up are comparatively uniform and easy.
- First, overview your instruction handbook. Then, ensure you have all the required equipment. If a lacking half is lacking, return the package deal or ask the corporate to provide the piece.
- Before drilling, place each operating boards on the car. This ought to guarantee they match accurately. If they’re too lengthy, return the package deal and purchase one other set. This can even be a wonderful alternative to test in case your Jeep is supplied to simply accept facet steps.
- Using a marking software, mark the place the holes must be drilled. Doing so will seemingly guarantee your efforts are profitable.
- Check the instruction handbook for the precise places of all equipment. Then, double-check your markings based mostly on the handbook’s suggestions.
- Drill the operating board within the desired place. Make certain you might have a steel drill and drill bits when doing this. Verify the set up’s acceptable flange measurement (confer with the handbook).
- Attach the operating boards to the Jeep utilizing the bolts offered. Wait to regulate them. Instead, ensure the operating boards are correctly aligned. Then tighten the screws.
Via SuncentAuto.
As you may see, choosing the proper operating boards for your Jeep isn’t precisely rocket science—however it may be difficult! However, utilizing this information as a base and supporting it with a wholesome dose of widespread sense, you’ll have no drawback discovering the operating boards that provide the most advantages and do essentially the most to enhance the looks of your Jeep.
