Possible noob question

[x8o8drifter]

Planning to the the running boards off my 2000 LX470 in a few weeks.
Been searching for hours and have found no mention of this. Or my goole-fu is failing.
Are the square holes left over something that should be taken care of?
Tape? Plastic clips, if so suggestions and if there is an OEM one to get? Ignore them? Patch panel/s can be done later.
Pic from patches build when he was putting on the BudBuilt sliders for reference of what I'm talking about.

 

[2001LC]

Holds are for, side molding not running boards.

 

[excessive]

my LX did not have that when i took my running boards off. I think you are missing a trim piece.

 

[Malleus]

If you leave them open, the rockers will fill with water...and dirt, and not drain. Do anything you want, but cover them with something.

 

[2001LC]

If you leave them open, the rockers will fill with water...and dirt, and not drain. Do anything you want, but cover them with something.

He's showing picture, pulled from a thread.
Remove running boards will only open bolts holes, from brackets securing. Which is is a good idea to just put those bolt back IN.

 

[Super77]

You’d be amazed at how much crap gets in there, and remember that your sunroof drains into your rocker panels, so you want good drainage there.

Also check the space between the front wheels and the front door. If you haven’t yet, pull back your front fender liners and stick an air hose nozzle into the body panel gap that you can access with the front door open. When I de-running boarded, I must have blown out 3lbs of pine needles and dirt that had gotten trapped because the running boards helped trap it all. I hate those things.

Try some lengths of black Gorilla tape on the rocker panel to cover those holes. It will not only keep that area clear, it will make your truck look more “lifted” by hiding some lower sheet metal.