For avid 4WD enthusiasts who enjoy having high ground clearance for off-roading, installing side steps on your vehicle is a necessity. Without some assistance in getting in your 4WD, you can easily trip or fall and find yourself in a lot of pain! I see so many 4WD’s these days with aftermarket suspension that buying side steps almost goes hand in hand.
But, side steps don’t just offer extra support when you’re getting in and out of your vehicle. They also protect the doors and side panels from road debris that is kicked up by the wheels when driving on dirt or rocks. Plus, when it’s wet outside or you’ve got dirty shoes, you can always use side steps as a doormat and keep the interior of your 4WD clean!
Today, there are a wide variety of side steps available in differing styles, colours, and finishes. If you try to search online you’ll likely get overwhelmed with all the options at your fingertips. So, to give you some assistance in choosing the right side steps for your 4WD, we’ll be providing you with a step by step guide.
Your vehicle makes all the difference!
The majority of side steps are specifically designed for certain vehicles, so the first step is simply knowing the year, make, and model of your 4WD. If you purchase side steps for a different model, you’ll likely find that the bolts of the side steps won’t fit within the holes in your vehicle’s frame.
Additionally, side steps are manufactured for specific body styles as well, so a Toyota Hilux crew cab will have different side steps to a Toyota Hilux double cab. The reason for this is that your vehicle’s body style will affect the length of the side steps which are needed to fit your vehicle, especially if you’ve got your eyes set on wheel-to-wheel running boards.
Side steps style
While there are a range of styles and levels of support available for your vehicle, the most popular types of side steps are running boards, nerf bars, and truck steps. The following outlines each of these different styles and their purposes.
- Running Boards
- Nerf Bars
- Truck Steps