Running Boards & Side Steps For Trucks | LAX Auto Parts Canada: The Ultimate Buyer's Guide
When it comes to truck customization, few upgrades offer the perfect blend of aesthetic appeal, rugged durability, and everyday practicality like a premium set of running boards or side steps. Modern trucks are built higher, tougher, and more capable than ever before. While increased ground clearance is fantastic for off-roading, towing, and conquering rugged Canadian terrain, it presents a distinct everyday challenge: getting in and out of the cab safely and comfortably.
At LAX Auto Parts Canada, we understand that your truck is more than just a vehicle—it is a mobile office, a family transporter, and an extension of your lifestyle. Investing in high-quality running boards or side steps not only saves your knees and back from strain but also protects your vehicle's rocker panels and paint from flying road debris, salt, and gravel.
This definitive guide breaks down everything you need to know about choosing, purchasing, and installing the perfect running boards and side steps for your truck in Canada.
1. Running Boards vs. Side Steps: Understanding the Difference
Many truck owners use the terms "running boards" and "side steps" interchangeably, but they are actually two distinct types of accessories with unique design elements and functional benefits. Understanding these differences is crucial to making the right choice for your specific driving habits.
Running Boards
Running boards are wide, flat steps that mount flush against the truck's rocker panels. They run continuously from the front wheel well to the rear of the cab (or even extending to the truck bed).
Width: Typically 4 to 7 inches wide, offering a massive surface area.
Design: Continuous flat surface, often covered with a rubberized, non-slip tread plate.
Main Benefit: They act as an excellent mudguard, blocking rocks and road grime from scratching your doors. They also provide the safest footing for children and elderly passengers.
Side Steps (Nerf Bars)
Side steps, historically derived from "nerf bars" used in racing, consist of a tubular bar that runs along the cab with dedicated, individual stepping pads dropped down under each door.
Width: The bar itself is tubular (round, oval, or squared), usually 3 to 6 inches in diameter, with stepped recesses.
Design: Offers a more aggressive, sporty, or off-road look.
Main Benefit: Side steps offer excellent ground clearance for off-road enthusiasts because they sit slightly higher and tighter to the frame, preventing the truck from getting hung up on obstacles.
2. Why Canadian Truck Owners Need Running Boards
Driving a truck in Canada presents unique challenges that drivers in milder climates don't have to face. From the brutal winter blizzards of the prairies to the gravel-strewn backroads of British Columbia and Northern Ontario, your truck's lower body takes a beating.
The Canadian Climate Advantage:
Winter Slush and Salt Defense: Road salt and chemical de-icers are notorious for accelerating rust on lower rocker panels. A wide running board acts as a physical shield, deflecting snow slush, salt, and chemicals away from your truck’s body panels.
Unmatched Slip Resistance: LAX Auto Parts Canada supplies steps specifically designed with deep-grooved tread patterns and punched-hole steel plates. These allow ice, snow, and mud to fall through the step rather than packing down into a dangerous, slippery sheet of ice.
Door Ding Protection: Let’s face it—parking spots in major Canadian cities can be tight. A sturdy steel nerf bar or running board sticks out just far enough to catch the doors of careless nearby cars, saving your truck from costly dents and paint chips.
3. Exploring the Styles: What Fits Your Truck's Personality?
At LAX Auto Parts Canada, we cater to all truck types—whether you drive a Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, or Toyota Tundra. Here are the most popular styles available in our catalog:
1. Oval and Round Nerf Bars
The classic truck accessory. Oval bars provide a wider stepping area than traditional round bars. Available in polished stainless steel for a classic chrome look or textured black powder-coat for a sleek, modern, midnight aesthetic.
2. Drop Steps and Hoop Steps
If you have a lifted truck, drop steps are a lifesaver. These feature a main bar mounted tight to the truck body, with individual hoop steps dropping down 2 to 4 inches below the bar. It gives your rig a rugged, military, or industrial appearance while making entry effortless.
3. Power Retractable Running Boards
The ultimate luxury upgrade. Electric power steps automatically drop down when you open your truck door and retract seamlessly underneath the chassis when the door closes.
Pro: Retains 100% of your factory ground clearance and keeps aerodynamic drag to a minimum.
Con: Requires precise electrical wiring and regular maintenance in freezing Canadian winters to keep the hinges free of ice buildup.
4. Material Matters: Choosing Between Aluminum, Stainless Steel, and Carbon Steel
The lifespan of your side steps depends entirely on the material they are crafted from. Because Canadian roads are treated heavily in winter, choosing the right material is essential.
5. Step-by-Step DIY Installation Guide
Most running boards and side steps available at LAX Auto Parts Canada feature a "No-Drill, Bolt-On" installation design. This means they utilize the pre-existing factory mounting holes underneath your truck's cab frame.
Tools You Will Need:
A socket wrench set (typically 10mm to 15mm sockets)
A torque wrench
Safety glasses and mechanic gloves
Penetrating oil (WD-40 or Liquid Wrench if working on an older truck)
The Installation Workflow:
Step 1: Preparation and Unboxing
Lay out all the parts under your truck on a clean piece of cardboard. Separate the passenger-side brackets from the driver-side brackets (they are often stamped with a 'P' or 'D'). Clean out any dirt or rust from the factory mounting threads located under the rocker panels.
Step 2: Install the Mounting Brackets
Locate the factory mounting studs or holes. Bolt the mounting brackets loosely into place. Do not tighten them completely yet. Leaving them slightly loose allows you to adjust the alignment of the board later.
Step 3: Align and Mount the Board
Place the running board onto the brackets. Line up the slots on the bottom of the board with the bracket holes. Insert the supplied hardware. Slide the board forward or backward until it sits perfectly parallel with your truck’s cab doors.
Step 4: The Final Torque
Once everything looks perfectly straight, tighten all the bolts down using your socket wrench. Use a torque wrench to tighten the hardware to the exact manufacturer specifications (usually found in the instruction manual). Repeat the exact same process on the opposite side.
6. How to Select the Right Cab Size When Ordering Online
The most common mistake truck owners make when ordering auto parts online is selecting the incorrect cab configuration. Truck manufacturers use different naming conventions for their cab styles, which can lead to confusion.
Before checking out at LAX Auto Parts Canada, ensure you match your truck to the correct cab length:
Regular Cab: Two doors only. The shortest configuration.
Extended Cab (SuperCab / Quad Cab / Double Cab): Features two full-size front doors and two smaller, partial rear doors that open backward or have exterior handles.
Crew Cab (SuperCrew / CrewMax): Four full-size, identical doors. This is the most popular truck style on Canadian roads today and requires the longest step length.
Always check your truck's bed length as well, as some specialized "Wheel-to-Wheel" running boards extend past the cab all the way to the rear wheel arch to provide easy access to your truck bed toolbox.
7. Cleaning and Maintenance for Canadian Winters
To ensure your running boards last a lifetime and retain their structural integrity, a small amount of seasonal maintenance goes a long way:
Rinse Thoroughly in Winter: During your weekly car wash, ensure you spray the underside of the running board brackets to flush away accumulated road salt and packed ice.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Do not use abrasive wheel cleaners or industrial degreasers on polished stainless steel or anodized aluminum boards, as this can dull the finish. Stick to regular automotive soap and a soft microfiber wash mitt.
Inspect Hardware Annually: The constant vibration of driving over frost-heaved Canadian roads can cause bolts to loosen slightly over time. Check and re-torque your mounting brackets once a year—ideally in the autumn right before the snow falls.
8. Conclusion: Elevate Your Truck with LAX Auto Parts Canada
Upgrading your truck with a set of premium running boards or side steps is an investment that pays off immediately. It dramatically enhances your vehicle's accessibility, protects your expensive paint job from brutal Canadian road elements, and adds an undeniable layer of rugged, customized style.
At LAX Auto Parts Canada, we pride ourselves on delivering top-tier customer service, lightning-fast shipping across Canada, and an elite selection of heavy-duty, climate-tested truck accessories.
Don't compromise on safety or style. Browse our extensive online inventory today, select your vehicle's specific make and model, and experience the ultimate upgrade for your truck!
