Running boards can be a great addition for your truck aesthetically, but it can serve other useful purposes too. Their primary function is to allow getting into your truck more easily by providing a lower platform to step up upon.
However, some truck owners complain that their running boards are practically useless because they sit too high to be helpful. These same people ask whether running boards can be lowered at all.
Running boards cannot be lowered by the average truck owner. Even most running board manufacturers do not provide the aftermarket parts or accessories to achieve this. Instead, you would have to get special parts fabricated by a professional or compromise your truck frame in order to make it happen.
The solution can prove to be costly. Is it worth it?
How are running boards attached?
To understand why running boards cannot be lowered by just anyone, you have to quickly understand how they are installed on your truck.
Most trucks come with several sets of pre-milled holes on both sides of the truck. These holes allow you to attach the mounting and supporting brackets that will, in turn, allow you to attach the running boards.
There are a bunch of bolts, nuts, locking nuts, washers, and locking washers used in the installation but I am keeping it very simple for now.
Of course, every truck manufacturer and style is different when it comes to running board installation but the premise is just about the same.
How to lower running boards
As mentioned earlier, the average Joe will find it very difficult to lower their pickup truck running boards without specialized tools or expertise.
It is technically possible but you may soon discover that the price and effort isn’t worth it.
Lengthen the mounting brackets
There are usually three mounting brackets (with accompanying support brackets) that hold each running board into place. They are made at a specific length set by the manufacturer and cannot be altered or adjusted in anyway.
However, if you had the ability to make these mounting brackets longer, you could technically drop the running boards even lower.
“How can you lengthen the mounting brackets,” you ask?
Welding.
The mounting brackets are typically made of metal. The only way to manipulate metal is by welding. Don’t ask me the specifics of how the weld would work but just know that lengthening the brackets can’t be done without it.
I don’t know about you but I practically know nothing about welding and I’m going to go out on a limb to assume that you don’t either. Therefore, you would have to hire a professional welder.
According to Thumbtack, the national hourly cost of a welder is between $150-$250. Stationary running boards can cost anywhere between $150-$400.
The cost of hiring a welder for a minimum of two hours can already cost more than a new set of running boards. It’s just not worth it.
Lower the mounting brackets
Another way to technically lower your running boards is by lowering the holes used for the mounting brackets installation.
Most modern trucks come with pre-milled holes on the bottom of either side. These holes, like I said, were made for installing the mounting brackets into.
The engineers that designed your truck made it so that the location of the mounting bracket holes would not compromise the frame.
So how can you lower or relocate these holes? You guessed it. Welding.
Not only would you need to make new holes into your frame, but you would also have to figure out a way to make the supporting brackets longer.
Supporting brackets are typically anchored at the edge of the pinch weld, so placing them lower is impossible. You would have to implement welding yet again to lengthen the supporting brackets.
My concern is that if you decide to put new holes that don’t belong there, you are potentially compromising the frame of your truck.
Newly set holes may not support the same amount of weight as the original holes could. This would raise several flags in safety and therefore it is not recommended.
Alternatives to lower running boards
As stated earlier, lowering your running boards is not a simple task, and you may find it almost impossible. However, this does not mean that you should give up.
Here are several alternatives to lowering your running boards:
Assistive running board lift
The assistive running board lift is installed where the running boards normally are and have the ability to move up and down with a push of a button. This makes it much easier to get into and out of your truck.
The assistive action is especially crucial for people with disabilities since it reduces their risk of injury and strain.
Powered running board
The powered running board features what is referred to as a ‘step within a step.’ You get a second step deployed immediately you open your door, thus giving you about an 8-inch drop.
With powered running boards, such as AMP Research Power Step running boards, you get a two-step access to your truck.
The AMP Power Step deploys 6-7 inches below the pinch weld versus 2-3 inches for the stationary running boards. When not deployed, your truck is able to utilize its full ground clearance potential.
Stool with rope
Sometimes you may not have the money to lower your running boards or install some of the aforementioned alternatives.
In such cases, you could always use a stool with a rope attached. You first set your stool on the ground while holding the rope and open the door. Next, step onto your stool and get into your vehicle. Finally, pull the stool into the cab and close the door.
It sounds ridiculous but once you see how it’s done, it’s actually quite genius!
Lower your truck
This is the most obvious alternative to lowering your running boards. Based off my research, it can be done for free or up to $60 if done by yourself.
Personally, I would just bring it into a shop to make sure it’s done right. I’m always afraid of causing permanent damage that could have easily been avoided.
Why would you want running boards to be lowered?
I can see why some people would want their running boards lowered. If they sat too high, there would almost be no point in having them.
Some reasons why you would want to lower your running boards include:
Short Height
Running boards might be set too high for you vertically challenged folks. If you’re 5’2” or less, I can see you having some difficulty climbing onto a truck.
It’s not always comfortable having to jump every time you are getting into or out of your vehicle.
Tall and lifted trucks
Some trucks are just tall for most people, and this is without being lifted. These trucks will have running boards considerably higher too.
It’s no wonder why anyone would need the running boards lower.
At the same time, I’ve seen some of you with those ultra lifted trucks. I have no idea how anyone gets into those. You don’t need running boards, you need running ladders.
Persons with disabilities or injuries
There are certain people with disabilities or injuries that need a slightly lower platform to assist them in getting into their trucks.
I’m talking about folks who have a slightly limited range of motion in their legs and cannot step as high as their legs would allow otherwise.
I am not, however, talking about certain people with disabilities that require adaptive equipment in their trucks. In some of their cases, running boards may be useless and maybe even a hindrance too.
If you’re in need of running boards for your truck, I recommend the APS iBoard running boards due to their ample foot hold and non-slip rubber pads.
Do you even need running boards?
Most people aren’t sure whether or they need running boards.
What better way to make important life decisions than a pros and cons list.
Pros
- You get a step-up for shorter passengers, which are quite beneficial, especially when you have a large family with several kids. Lifting your kids in and out of your truck can be rather tiresome if you ask me.
- Running boards protect your vehicle from road debris and rock chips. Understand that whenever your wheels turn, there will be all kinds of rocks and debris kicked upwards. Your running boards act as an effective way of protecting your vehicle from these kinds of debris.
Cons
- Running boards get dirty quickly. One of the disadvantages of running boards is how they easily attract dirt and mud. Even though you might keep your vehicle clean, a stained running board will give your truck a dirty appearance.
- Running boards will decrease your ground clearance significantly. When going over a tall obstacle, such as a curb, you risk causing damage if your running boards scrape on top of it.
Conclusion
Running boards look great on your truck and can, most times, help you get into your truck more easily.
However, for those of you who wonder if running boards can be lowered, I’m afraid it isn’t possible without spending a large amount of money or compromising your truck frame.
Consider the alternatives presented in this article to help you get into your truck more safely and cost efficiently.
If you’re thinking of different ways to accessorize your truck or make it more functional, consider checking out my recommended accessories page. I spent a good amount of time picking out mods that can be useful for most pickup trucks.