Nerf Bars & Running Boards for Toyota Tacoma

Toyota Tacoma Nerf Bars and Running Boards

Enhance the safety and the appearance of your Toyota Tacoma with nerf bars and running boards. Choose between different lengths, widths, and finishes to create a unique look that complements your Tacoma trim. The following answers address five questions about features and benefits of Toyota Tacoma running boards and nerf bars.

They are the same length. When describing nerf bars and running boards, "double cab" still refers to a cab-length product designed for the Toyota Tacoma. "Double cab" describes the four-door pickup by Toyota. Cab-length nerf bars and running boards span the entire length of the cab. Wheel-to-wheel options cover the distance from the back of your trucks front wheels to the front of the back wheels.

There are no optimal widths and diameters for nerf bars and running boards. The right thickness depends on your tastes, your trucks trim, and, perhaps, the size of your feet. If you have large feet, you might benefit from thicker nerf bars or running boards. If you want the advantage of bars, boards, and side steps, and prefer a discreet trim, go with a thinner product.

It is also important to remember that nerf bars are generally more round or cylindrical, whereas boards resemble narrow planks. Widths and diameters range from 2 to 6 inches.

All Toyota Tacoma running boards and nerf bars include a top layer, or coating or finish, with enhanced texture for grip and traction. This feature prevents slippage, accidents, and injury as you mount and exit your Tacoma. There is no finish or top layer that has more or less traction than another.

The differences are in the type of material and finish used to create the ridged pattern. Finishes also act as a highly durable sealant that makes nerf bars and running boards resistant to bad weather, extreme temperatures, and wear. Finishes vary seasonally, but a few familiar examples include:

• Powder coating.
• Rubber.
• Anodized.
• Diamond plate.
• Brushed.

"Hoop style" describes running boards and nerf bars with attached hoop-shaped stirrups that serve as steps. You insert your foot into the stirrup or step to anchor yourself and get a leg up into your vehicle. There are also types of steps available to purchase separately, such as truck bed steps or double cab steps. Adjustable hoop style steps let you raise or lower the height at which you install the product to account for the height of your truck.

The assortment of colors and materials for Toyota Tacoma running boards and nerf bars varies seasonally. Even so, there are some staple colors and materials you may encounter often. Silver and black are common colors, since these meld readily with an array of trims and paint finishes. Certain products may have painted or etched Toyota logos that are other colors, such as red, blue, yellow, or white. A few other examples include:

• Stainless steel, carbon steel, and mild steel.
• Aircraft-grade aluminum and aluminum alloys.
• Thermoplastic ABS.
• Chrome and chrome alloys.