Running boards: Useful or useless??

I have the die cast that I purchased & installed myself to ease both entry and exit. I want them to catch mud and junk to keep it off my pant leg. I ant to protect my seats from my butt sliding across. It was an easy decision.

6'3" here. Not doing running boards because it makes entry harder for me in tight parking lots.

I found the running boards got in the way and made it awkward to get in and out without rubbing your pant legs on the boards.

az_passport said:

6'3" here. Not doing running boards because it makes entry harder for me in tight parking lots.

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You don’t need them for your height for sure,
However, they do look good and I don’t think they stick out any further than your mirrors when folded.

I can get you a side profile photo later today.

For me they serve many purposes, first, I think having them makes the Passport look more rugged and SUV-like and less Mini-Van-like. Next, I am hoping they do help stop rocks and things from hitting the sides of the car. Next. I hope they serve as a reminder when some brain-dead parks next to me, to be careful when they open their car doors ( I do not want Body Side Moldings). Lastly, I do use them, even at 5'9" I like stepping up into the Passport.

Also: I do have the Die-cast Running Boards, again because the look better than the plastic ones (IMO) and have suffered a "rug-burn" on the back of my leg, when wearing shorts and sliding out of the vehicle - without stepping on the Running Board (ouch!)..

I recently had the die cast running boards installed. I find they do get in the way sometimes when entering and exiting, however I bought them to make it easier to put my stand-up paddleboard up on my roof rack. Much easier now and my wife isn't complaining about me leaving footprints on the door sills.

Jermboy777 said:

Do they help you get up over the edge of the seat so you’re not dragging across the edge?

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If you decide not to install running boards and worried about dragging your foot across the edge, install the door sill protectors.

DudeCS said:

If you decide not to install running boards and worried about dragging your foot across the edge, install the door sill protectors.

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Not worried about the door sill, just the edge of the leather seats. I’m constantly sliding over the edge when getting out, that stitching will only last so long lol!

My wife is 5’1” so I know she has to climb in like a toddler, I’m 6’ so I can get in pretty easy but I just feel like I slide off the edge of the seat when getting out. The boards in the pictures I see don’t look like they stick out much so I wasn’t sure if I could place my foot on it when getting out or not. They do look really cool just based on appearance but not sure I wanna spend $400+/- just for the look. Thanks for the posts, any pictures would help!

I had the slim ones installed on my Lunar Silver Elite as I had boards on my traded in '12 Pilot. They don't help me getting in or out (5' 10") but my 5' 3" wife does. I do hope they deflect snow and ice and other solid objects this winter from hitting the painted surfaces.

I had the diecast boards installed when purchased. I’m 6’ and don’t feel they get in the way at all going in or out. Maybe it’s because I also had them on my Xterra. My wife is petite and uses them to climb in. And they give the Passport a more sporty look, I think.

The only time I’ll make real use of them myself is in the winter when I have to brush off snow on the roof. And here in NH they will get a workout.

I had the diecast boards installed when purchased. I’m 6’ and don’t feel they get in the way at all going in or out. Maybe it’s because I also had them on my Xterra. My wife is petite and uses them to climb in. And they give the Passport a more sporty look, I think.

The only time I’ll make real use of them myself is in the winter when I have to brush off snow on the roof. And here in NH they will get a workout.

I had the diecast boards installed when purchased. I’m 6’ and don’t feel they get in the way at all going in or out. Maybe it’s because I also had them on my Xterra. My wife is petite and uses them to climb in. And they give the Passport a more sporty look, I think.

The only time I’ll make real use of them myself is in the winter when I have to brush off snow on the roof. And here in NH they will get a workout.

Jermboy777 said:

My wife is 5’1” so I know she has to climb in like a toddler, I’m 6’ so I can get in pretty easy but I just feel like I slide off the edge of the seat when getting out. The boards in the pictures I see don’t look like they stick out much so I wasn’t sure if I could place my foot on it when getting out or not. They do look really cool just based on appearance but not sure I wanna spend $400+/- just for the look. Thanks for the posts, any pictures would help!

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Your wife would for sure appreciate them. I often forget and I slide out my driver’s seat! ?

I had them on my 2012 Pilot, and grew to dislike them. I’m tall, so I don’t need them for entry, and I often had to work to avoid having my dress slacks rub up against them.

5'4" here and I don't use our die cast running boards to climb into the vehicle the vast majority of the time. However, there are some instances where they come in handy. Like when I need access to buckle my littlest one into her carseat in the middle of the backseat.

Also, with 3 young kids all in boosters/car seats they need the running boards to climb aboard.

It has been very useful for my toddler getting into the vehicle. It has also been useful in the same regard for my mother-in-law who is a senior. Also like the bolder look it gives the vehicle.

Do the die cast running boards affect ramp over angle by sticking down too far, or are they up even with other elements of the undercarriage?