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Captain Insaino
Full Access Member
Thanks, I will. The search continues...
Let's see your aftermarket running boards!
- Thread starter Captain Insaino
- Start date
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R Black
Member
I took mine (2020 Tahoe) on some mild trails that included deeply grooved two tracks and some pretty challenging (for this stock vehicle) rocky stretches. I was worried about the stock running boards and the low front valence, but when you I thought about it even though the boards reduce your ground clearance in the line between front and rr wheels, they also offer some moderate protection to your rocker panels and lower door edge. I also found that the stock low valence under the bumper actually served more as a warning feeler than an impediment, of course, if this was a GMT400 or earlier truck I wouldn't need the warning at all. The main issue with these trucks clearance wise is the jounce because of the softly sprung suspension.
I did notice that the stock running boards also serve a very necessary function, they protect the gap between the door and the rocker which unlike older cars, where that gap essentially faces between zero to negative 40 degrees (downward from horizontal) the 2015-20 Tahburban's gap faces 100% vertical, or toward the ground. With the boards removed, water, mud, crap etc. will get flung up there and onto the seals and stuff. The boards also protect the lower body from stuff thrown up from the front tires.
For myself, I'm tepidly planning on some kind of non-step cover that fits fairly snug to the inboard edge of the rocker and curves out and away from the rocker on the outboard side just enough to cover the lower door gap and not be tempting as a foot hold.
Or.
Actual rocker guards that bolt to the frame.
None of these is on the market so all of this would need to be fabricated.
Oh boy . . . .
I did notice that the stock running boards also serve a very necessary function, they protect the gap between the door and the rocker which unlike older cars, where that gap essentially faces between zero to negative 40 degrees (downward from horizontal) the 2015-20 Tahburban's gap faces 100% vertical, or toward the ground. With the boards removed, water, mud, crap etc. will get flung up there and onto the seals and stuff. The boards also protect the lower body from stuff thrown up from the front tires.
For myself, I'm tepidly planning on some kind of non-step cover that fits fairly snug to the inboard edge of the rocker and curves out and away from the rocker on the outboard side just enough to cover the lower door gap and not be tempting as a foot hold.
Or.
Actual rocker guards that bolt to the frame.
None of these is on the market so all of this would need to be fabricated.
Oh boy . . . .
OP
OP
Captain Insaino
Full Access Member
We agree on this ^^
If the steps I bought didn't have the hoop steps, it would serve the rocker guard/nerf purpose well as they are pretty snug to the body....
hmmmmm, maybe I can modify them?
R Black
Member
Nyeah ... I dunno, mAYbeee ... but those tubes look to be just about as thick (tall ) as the plastic running boards.
I like the old frame mounted rocker guards you used to see from Jeep and Scout specialty mfgrs.
They were snug ...didn't serve ANY purpose except protection. I think one mfgr called them 'rock rails or something.
Gotta tell ya' I did run off road a bit this summer. These things aren't NEARLY as capable as the GMT400 (96 Tahoe) which wasn't very capable to begin with. I mean I got 'er done but had to be REALLY patient on rocks
I've kinda given up. If I want to achieve anything like the capability of my Blazer (avatar) I need to go full blown Blazer, 66 'burban, or one of those stupid new Wranglers, or anything with actual live axles. FJ60 would be good to.
But ..
I liked the Blazer because I could go 118mph on the highway, turn off and crawl on the rocks with a 60:1 crawl ratio.
I'm thinking you'd have to do some extensive mods to the 2015-20 Gen Tahoe to even attain a modicum of off-road prowess. These things are kind of glorified foul weather vehicles.
I think the stock running boards make decent sacrificial protection.
Sparksalot
Supporting Member
that’s how I think of mine. If they get crunched, hey they did their job.
R Black
Member
The row of Jeeps behind your truck in your profile picture reminds me of all the dweebish newbies to trail driving on organized Jeep Jamborees in Colorado that we would run into on trails I could do in a '72 Nova.
That's not a comment directed at you, it just reminded me. Kudos to you for actually taking a later model Tahoe in a trail, though the gen pictured is far more capable than the 2015-2020.
Sparksalot
Supporting Member
LOL. When I was in college my girlfriend and I took her Chevy Corsica out to Ruidoso, NM. I surprised the heck out of a Jeep guy when I saw how far out I got that car.
Prospect62
Full Access Member
Just in case anyone had seen this thread and was considering these Rough Country side steps that myself and CaptainInsaino have tried....
DON'T.
After about a month and well under 1000 miles of driving with these on, mine are starting to develop rust spots.
I am absolutely outraged. I've emailed Rough Country and am awaiting a response. But don't waste your time. I paid over $300 for these in the hopes that they were a good product that would not rust (at least not so quickly).
DON'T.
After about a month and well under 1000 miles of driving with these on, mine are starting to develop rust spots.
I am absolutely outraged. I've emailed Rough Country and am awaiting a response. But don't waste your time. I paid over $300 for these in the hopes that they were a good product that would not rust (at least not so quickly).
looks like poor prep work prior to paint/coating. they probably crank them out pretty quickly, given the price point
i had same issue from fab four bumpers on a prior truck. (less than 2 months had rust spots all over it.)
i just sanded & prepped them for repaint w/ por15 & then went over it w/ rustoleum black
i had same issue from fab four bumpers on a prior truck. (less than 2 months had rust spots all over it.)
i just sanded & prepped them for repaint w/ por15 & then went over it w/ rustoleum black
Prospect62
Full Access Member
Oh yeah I can certainly sand and respray these every summer - but I shouldn't have to. This isn't some crappy square body, I don't feel like having to respray my side steps in 2016 Suburban territory.
Most likely, if Rough Country doesn't take them back, they'll be off the truck in the spring.
What I really wanted were OEM Z71 steps - maybe by then I'll be able to find some somewhere.
