Removing side steps (1 Viewer)

[Valgrind]

Obviously the stock side steps are not rock sliders. However if I remove them without adding sliders, am i sacrificing any protection on minor things?

I think it might look better without but haven’t decided.

 

[bloc]

Obviously the stock side steps are not rock sliders. However if I remove them without adding sliders, am i sacrificing any protection on minor things?

I think it might look better without but haven’t decided.

You’ll mostly just expose the rocker panels to damage from rocks thrown up by the front tires.

The stock steps won’t do anything to help prevent mechanical damage to the rockers, though some people have bent them up into the rocker on obstacles that probably would have cleared if they were absent.

Personally I’d only remove mine to install real sliders.

 

[JohnnyFish]

Obviously the stock side steps are not rock sliders. However if I remove them without adding sliders, am i sacrificing any protection on minor things?

I think it might look better without but haven’t decided.

It does look better, except for the dangly bits off the fender. solvefunction has 3d printed caps to fix that issue.

 

[Boston Mangler]

You’ll mostly just expose the rocker panels to damage from rocks thrown up by the front tires.

The stock steps won’t do anything to help prevent mechanical damage to the rockers, though some people have bent them up into the rocker on obstacles that probably would have cleared if they were absent.

Personally I’d only remove mine to install real sliders.

I second this.

Good insurance against real damage. It wont protect the rocker much, if at all, but if you hear them hitting a rock, ya know to back off, and they are considerably cheaper to replace than fixing a rocker

 

[Valgrind]

That is a really good point

 

[MCtree]

My Heritage didn’t come with the steps or sliders.
The clean look is nice, but I really missed the step when getting things from or putting things onto the roof rack.

I have sliders now, and use them as a step far far more than actually sliding on rocks.

 

[Valgrind]

My Heritage didn’t come with the steps or sliders.
The clean look is nice, but I really missed the step when getting things from or putting things onto the roof rack.

I have sliders now, and use them as a step far far more than actually sliding on rocks.

It's funny, on a daily basis I don't use the steps, I'd probably get yelled at by the family tho lol. However, every time I get on the roof rack I use the little step in the back seat.

 

[stonepa]

I left mine on although I’m surprised I did because I hate side steps (WTF are the factory ‘predator’ steps on a 4Runner or Tacoma other than something that eats rocks). 25,000 miles of gravel and the black paint on the plastic rocker covers looks new.

 

[Valgrind]

Mine seem to just collect mud lol

 

[speakout525]

I removed mine entirely and have not replaced with sliders. I don't do rocks or rock crawling at a level that I would need them, but recognize I could find myself in a bit of an unexpected scenario where I might regret it. The main impact so far is it's clearly going to accelerate the deterioration of the leather on the seats. W/out a step, I am really leaning into the side of the seat bottom to get myself up (the cruiser is lifted 2" or so).