[Gray_Beard]

I have noticed that the running boards seem to be a popular accessory with Passport owners. How many purchase them for their looks and the protection of basically a long splash guard and how purchases them to facilitate ease of entry into the vehicle? The reason I ask is my wife and I pick up my Mom each weekend to go to church and out to eat. She's 81 years old about 5'5" tall and in fairly good shape for a 81 year old female. But, she's stated that it's a bit of a challenge to get on to the rear seat. Now I haven't seen any Passports with running boards on them that I could walk up to and check out, only what I've seen in pictures. But to me they look like their too cramped and high on the vehicle to serve as a step. I imagine stepping on the board and being too high and have to crouch down to get into the PP. Of the 3 choices of OEM running boards the die cast seem to be the best choice for function. Yet, I had running boards on my 2001 Tahoe and hardly ever stepped on them and my wife didn't care for them because she would get the back of her pant leg dirty because it would hit the running board when she got out.
But, we both agree if they do help with getting in and out of the PP easier for my Mom then we would consider them. I would appreciate anyone's insight or comments. Thanks, Chris

 

[407guy]

We have them and glad they are added. It makes it way easier for our 9 year old to get in and out of the vehicle. I too like them to get in and out of the driver's door. I use them all the time. I would think to avoid getting pants dirty just use them all the time. After a while it will become habit to step on them getting in and out. I recommend them.

 

[DudeCS]

We do not have a running board installed. My wife and I (empty nesters) are able to get in/out without a problem. For the rare occasions that we are traveling with the vertically-challenged, I put a step stool in the car. I prefer not having a running board installed. I have splash guards installed and the black plastic on the lower door panel catches most everything else. Road grime comes off easily from the black plastic trim.

 

[WayneP]

We do not have a running board installed. My wife and I (empty nesters) are able to get in/out without a problem. For the rare occasions that we are traveling with the vertically-challenged, I put a step stool in the car. I prefer not having a running board installed. I have splash guards installed and the black plastic on the lower door panel catches most everything else. Road grime comes off easily from the black plastic trim.

I agree with Dude, same with my Passport.

 

[elder prep]

I have them on my Elite Silver Lunar PP. My wife uses them to get in and helps her get out of the car. We also have splash guards all around, not certain if the running boards assist the splash guards to keep mud and, in winter, slush off the lower body and doors. We'll see. First winter coming in Pennsylvania.
Ken

 

[CAJack42]

I have the die cast, and both me and my wife use them as a step. I've had 5 back surgeries and a weak leg, so it helps.
My wife has double knee replacement, with problems, and it helps her. (she didn't want them, but now that I put them on, she likes them)
She sometimes picks up a 94 y.o. frail lady. Had a heck of a time getting her in. She was able to get in our '17 CR-V while we had it without much problem.
Don't think of the board as an extention of the splash guard. While it does give a little protection, I was recently on rural Iowa roads and 'stuff' even got around the splash guards and up on the doors. After I got home, I did make one pass with the pressure washer on the bottom of the running boards and still didn't get all the crud out.

 

[elder prep]

I have the die cast, and both me and my wife use them as a step. I've had 5 back surgeries and a weak leg, so it helps.
My wife has double knee replacement, with problems, and it helps her. (she didn't want them, but now that I put them on, she likes them)
She sometimes picks up a 94 y.o. frail lady. Had a heck of a time getting her in. She was able to get in our '17 CR-V while we had it without much problem.
Don't think of the board as an extention of the splash guard. While it does give a little protection, I was recently on rural Iowa roads and 'stuff' even got around the splash guards and up on the doors. After I got home, I did make one pass with the pressure washer on the bottom of the running boards and still didn't get all the crud out.

CAJack42, Re. your Iowa roads experience, when watching the PP commercials showing a PP being driven through deep mud pits, I ask myself, "They're never going to get the undersides of the PP clean!" Also, with all that mud and water being almost injected into the operating part of the car, to me, there is a good possibility of stuff getting into places you don't see and will never get it all out and could even do damage. Just my thoughts.

 

[DudeCS]

After I got home, I did make one pass with the pressure washer on the bottom of the running boards and still didn't get all the crud out.

Be sure to rinse out behind the running boards and lower door panels (black plastic trim). When I visited the Bonneville Salt Flats, salt caked up the wheel wells and it got behind the lower door panels. I washed out the wheel wells and lower door panels best I could before leaving the area. After returning home and giving it a more thorough wash, I found more chunks of salt.

 

[herothedog]

I got the running boards, took them off two days later. Both my wife and I found they made getting in and out harder. We've had many SUVs though, and are used to the effort to get in. I doubt they do anything to protect the vehicle. With the way the brackets are they reduce ground clearance by an inch or so as well, and they are sheet metal brackets so scrape them once and they will be ripped off. On the other hand, if you are scraping the bottom of the PP on anything there are likely to be significant problems in general.

In my opinion, the running boards are mostly for looks, and secondly can be helpful for some to get in and out.

With and without photos:

 

[CAJack42]

When I visited the Bonneville Salt Flats.

When were you there? When I went by there about 3 weeks ago, everything was flooded. Been taking that route for around 55 yrs. and I can't remember seeing so much water on the flats.

 

[ProdGirl]

I’ve got the running boards as well. Had them installed about 1-2 weeks after getting my Passport. I’m 5’ tall and that little step was a must for getting in and out. Plus they make it look sportier!

 

[DudeCS]

When were you there? When I went by there about 3 weeks ago, everything was flooded. Been taking that route for around 55 yrs. and I can't remember seeing so much water on the flats.

We had passed through in mid-August. The huge expanse of the flats are impressive and immensely bright from the salt. Fortunate for us as it was Speed Week at Bonneville. Unfortunate for participants because it had rain earlier in the week and the flats wet wet. Time trials were delayed for a few days and started on the day of our visit, but terminated early that day due to deteriorating conditions. Photos from our visit at Bonneville.

 

[elder prep]

I’ve got the running boards as well. Had them installed about 1-2 weeks after getting my Passport. I’m 5’ tall and that little step was a must for getting in and out. Plus they make it look sportier!
View attachment 4196

Agreed! Ken in PA

 

[86caddytoo]

I’ve got the running boards as well. Had them installed about 1-2 weeks after getting my Passport. I’m 5’ tall and that little step was a must for getting in and out. Plus they make it look sportier!
View attachment 4196

Look nice and glad to hear they help. My better 1/2 has a little trouble getting in. Did you buy them from your dealer or after market. Also what do they cost installed? Thanks!

 

[stevenD]

Look nice and glad to hear they help. My better 1/2 has a little trouble getting in. Did you buy them from your dealer or after market. Also what do they cost installed? Thanks!

I bought mine from the dealer as they nearly matched what the price/shipping cost is from the online discount retailers (such as College or Bernardi). These things are VERY heavy duty and the shipping cost is huge!

Anyway, I am not particularly handy with do-it-yourself stuff on modern cars, but I strongly suggest trying to install them yourself. They come with instructions and take 45-60 minutes to do - even without a lift. I sure the dealers will hit ya up for well over $100 to install them and with a list, it's probably a 30 minute job.

 

[Beachbum07]

On the Elite, With the Urban A package, it comes with welcome lights on both sides. Will running boards impact the lighting at all?

 

[Beachbum07]

On the Elite, With the Urban A package, it comes with welcome lights on both sides. Will running boards impact the lighting at all?

Answered my own question. Side welcome lights cannot be installed with running boards.

Honda Side Welcome Light (Passport, Pilot)

The Honda Side Welcome Light illuminates when your Passport or Pilot is unlocked with key fob or door is opened to provide a luxurious, upscale appearance

www.bernardiparts.com

 

[Wrascal]

I would speculate there's something on the aftermarket side that will work.

 

[2984]

Didn't bother with the running boards. Had them a few years ago on our mini van when the kids were young and at home and found them to be as much of a nuance as they were a help. No running boards here.

 

[ProdGirl]

Didn't bother with the running boards. Had them a few years ago on our mini van when the kids were young and at home and found them to be as much of a nuance as they were a help. No running boards here.

you must not be 5’ tall and have to climb in and out of your Passport without them...?