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1) what really is the difference between the 5" CHROME TUBULAR STEP BAR and the 6" ANGULAR CHROME EXTENDED RUNNING BOARDS other than a 250 price difference?
2) Do the POWER RUNNING BOARDS actually work in snow/slush/ice that we have here in the northern climates?
I saw a 2107 lariat on back of truck headed somewhere. I noticed the chrome step had an extension (that was not chrome) that went all the way to the wheel well. I'm assuming that must be what they mean by "extended". Now I wonder if that piece will be on the duallys?
What I really wanted was the power boards, but for whatever reason Ford won't let you get those on a lariat with the chrome package.
Running board extensions like those on a $74,000 F-350 or $83,000 F-450 would look kind of silly. Actually, they look kind of silly on the SRW as well.
I don't understand why a factory offering can't offer running boards that look like - well they came from the factory
The Black section in the photo looks a lot like the Retractable Bed Access Step offered on previous years.
Kind of an interesting step....in the pic it looks like it "could" be retractable, but also like it's stuck to the chrome step...or slid over it in some way. But I stand by my comment in one of the other posts.....to me, this is "cheap looking" half butt way to offer a longer step. Like mentioned before, just make a LONGER step in the same material and pattern as an option if you want an Extended step. Now...if the dang thing is retractable, then yes....it would work since you can pull the black away from the chrome when not in use.
I have seen the chrome section on F150's and it was on a stationary setup. The black extension maybe a better traction rubber since leaning into the bed of the truck could easily produce slippage and fall. Or it maybe just to keep the running board from being visually dominant. Long running boards (wheel to wheel) were popular back in the '70-'80s and always appeared to take over the appearance of the vehicle. I am leaning toward the nerf bar approach and only have a small step at each door. It should be something strong enough to leave a mark when you bang your shin into it, but I think it will look sharp and still protect the rocker panel.
Similar to:
I have the power running boards on my F350, they extend out further from the truck when deployed and lower closer to the ground making getting in/out of this tall truck much easier.
They are also quite wide. I have a bad hip that's going to be replaced soon. At only 5' 7" tall I'm able to step up onto the running board, turn around and just sit down on the seat, then swing my legs around.
As you see in this picture they fold up out of the way of snow and ice unlike the non-power running boards. I don't think there will be a problem with them freezing up during winter so long as the hinges are lubricated.
I love the 6 inch angular extended running boards. I am short so they allow me to get to my 5th wheel hitch without having to crawl into the bed of my truck.
Funny but if u didn't order them from the factory...u cant get the regular 6 inch angular running boards. I have tried. I went with the 5 inch ones offered on the 2017 accessories website....those came in wrong and were round tubular things with the oval step pads. I talked to the parts manager and i told him the ones i really want are the same ones as on the lot...the ones on the 2017's for sale....he told he would get them for me. Those extended ones are what showed up. After not having steps for my STX crewcab for a month and a half i said fine and installed the extended ones. Long story short i had him order the rear plastic caps for the non extended angular running boards and took a sawzall with a metal blade and chopped off the extension and drilled a hole to mount the rear cap! I'm a happy camper now! I did after the fact.... see many dealer take-offs of what i wanted for sale on Ebay and in case anyone is interested when he ordered the rear caps he noted to me that they were infact a F150 part number...... the parts manager gave me the extended ones at cost ...like $500 something so I didn't pay $800+ dollars for them cut off the extension
I have those exact running boards and they are really nice. Not cheap looking at all and work great! The black part is actually a good idea because they get the crap kicked out of them with road debris and the chrome would just get torn up. Make reaching into your bed toolbox or bed itself real easy. Don't knock it till you try it.
Oh..i tried to like them, they just didn't grow on me. I can see the definite functional uses for them but they were not what I wanted from the beginning. Also... I do flooring and I don't want to encourage any of the people I end up working around to lean their pants or shorts or knee pads up against the side of my truck with nasty wood glue or mortar on them
