Rough Country Power Running Boards Install and Thoughts after 7mo / 10k miles

• Install difficulty is a 3 out of 5 (more time consuming than difficult)
• Kit is very well designed with no modifications to truck needed. Wires are all pre-configured to length, in wire loom with extra protection for the section that runs from side to side in the frame rail.
• About 6 hours to install. Was taking time to route wires cleanly, zip tie everything and did some cleaning of the truck while in there, while also doing the Frunk beeper delete. The instructions weren’t specific to the lightning so for example where you run the wires under the truck didn’t 100% match the pics so you have to adapt a bit but overall easy to ad-lib those parts.
• Because the power and ground came pre-wired with inline fuses installed, I opted to follow the frame up into the frunk instead of trying to punch those through the FW. The wiring by default is on the passenger side and that’s not a simple entry point behind the glove box.
• Comes with switch to disable steps from deploying, easily routed that into the center console.

• Deployment is managed via magnetic sensors in the door jam that are largely out of sight and easy to install. No issues so far with adhesive and it was an extremely hot summer in TX.
• 2 lights shine down on each side, adhered to the pinch welds near the frame rail. They spot illuminate the steps well and you can adjust them to the location that you prefer. No issues with them coming off.
• Boards are slightly angled towards truck, you feel it when stepping on them but you don't see it. It’s a good design that aids in entry/exit stability with my 80. y/o MIL.
• Much wider shoe patch vs factory so you can get a full foot onto the step vs ½ on the factory steps. Much sturdier contact patch and should be overall safer, less prone to slips.
• Design is far easier to keep clean. Stock ones always looked dingy and since they are not tucked away it detracted from the trucks look when the rest is clean
• I didn’t weigh them, but believe the steps are lighter and after adding the motors, weight should be similar
• Deploy speed is excellent.

• Add option to deploy steps to assist with cleaning. Currently have to manually clean with door open to prevent spray from entering cab.
• Add a short delay after door close. By default the running boards return immediately when closing the door. I had no idea how many times I close one door just to open another until I installed these and it doubles the cycles they go through unnecessarily. I've started training myself to open the other door first before closing the first door to reduce wear on the motors.
• Implement a slowdown when they are near full extension or retraction. They go full speed from stop to stop so it generates a "thump" in both directions.
• Stick-on lights don't integrate with zone lighting, not a show stopper, but would be cool if they could tap into the existing board's lighting harness to integrate.
• Mud and snow could cause them to be slippery left to right since the tread is only one direction following the length of the truck. I haven't had issues in the rain but haven't been able to test in other climates yet.
• Add sound deadening to the motor assembly to reduce the whirr you hear when they are deploying / retracting. They are not super loud, but louder than other factory units I've heard.

2wheeltraveler said:

Add option to deploy steps to assist with cleaning. Currently have to manually clean with door open to prevent spray from entering cab

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AZT9 said:

Just curious, they look great! But they seem a little short? Maybe it’s just the photos? There are two model numbers for extended vs crew cab, the fit guide says both are “compatible” I have to assume the only difference is the length of the steps?

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csukoh78 said:

Kind of hard to tell by the pictures, but in your honest opinion do you think the side view of the truck is less attractive? I get the feeling that the stock side steps were designed to cover up a large part of the battery visible from the side. Do you see any issue with that considering these are so much more compact?

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2wheeltraveler said:

I really didn't like the chunky look of the old boards, my favorite look are the off road focused tube style which gives the truck a bit of a tough look.. but for me, the aero benefit and having older folks getting in and out this was the better option.

1While at first I noticed everything showing because it was different, I don't even notice it anymore.

Added some more pics that show it stowed better.

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2wheeltraveler said:

I really didn't like the chunky look of the old boards, my favorite look are the off road focused tube style which gives the truck a bit of a tough look.. but for me, the aero benefit and having older folks getting in and out this was the better option.

1While at first I noticed everything showing because it was different, I don't even notice it anymore.

Added some more pics that show it stowed better.

Click to expand...

2wheeltraveler said:

Add option to deploy steps to assist with cleaning. Currently have to manually clean with door open to prevent spray from entering cab.

Click to expand...

DeeW said:

Have you considered putting in a switch inside your cab to a relay that would bypass the magnetic door sensor? This would allow you to deploy them whenever you wanted to regardless of door position.

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