Anybody modified their factory side steps?

[Mike H.]

Has anybody here modified their factory side steps? I pulled mine off when I got the Centerlines because the factory dark silver-bronze color clashed with the very bright polished aluminum wheels. Plus not having them on makes the truck look a lot taller.

Well, now having the PreRunner lift, combined with being only 5'-8" tall and having a 5-year-old and 8-year-old child with me most of the time, is leading me to believe I need them back on. But I still think they clash with the look.

Has anybody painted them (black, or bright metallic silver, or body-colored)? Or possibly chromed them? Or, since they are supposed to be aluminum, stripped off the paint and polished them? If so, please post some picks and a run down on what you did. Also, comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks guys.

[ragedogg69]

IMHO the Titan doesnt need side steps. It really isnt that hard to get in with out them. I find getting out is much easier cuz i dont catch them with the back of my leg. And my 5'5" girlfriend has no issues hopping in my titan.

Now with your lift throwing our Titans a comparitive curve ball, Ill just say YMMV.

[Mike H.]

Originally Posted by ragedogg69

.....YMMV.

What is "YMMV"? I'm not familar with that one. My kids are the main concern, plus I'm concerned about breakdown of the side foam of the driver seat from sliding off it.

[pagerdaddy]

Originally Posted by ragedogg69

... And my 5'5" girlfriend has no issues hopping in my titan.

Rage, did your girlfriend ever date Willie Nelson?
J/K my wife hasn't complained much, either.

Mike, there has been talk on here about having the factory
steps chromed, but I don't think anyone has actually done it.
You could try taking one of the steps to a chrome shop for
an estimate.

I had a front bumper for an antique car re-chromed once, and
it cost $200. After you get an estimate for both steps, it might
even work out better for you to go aftermarket, and then sell
the factory ones.

Steve

[Mike H.]

I think I will check to see if they are truely aluminum. If so, I will first try some elbow grease stripping the paint and attempting to polish, or at least go to a 300 grit wet sanded "brushed" finish.

[smoketitan]

yeah with kids you definitely need the steps--the oem steps scratch pretty easily so be careful--Id love to paint mine black or something close to it--that wont scratch as much

[ragedogg69]

Originally Posted by Mike H.

What is "YMMV"? I'm not familar with that one. My kids are the main concern, plus I'm concerned about breakdown of the side foam of the driver seat from sliding off it.

Your Mileage May Very. Basically, I dont have worries about kids getting in and out of my Titan, nor a lift. Just a short girlfriend. So my situation differs from yours.

However i would love to see how your research turns out. I was suprirsed to see how light the rails were. It would be interesting to see if they could be chromed.


Pagerdaddy,
Forgive my ignorance but i dont get your Willie Nelson reference. And now that i think of it, she may be 5'4".

[phillipyang]

The 05 Titan will come with chrome step rails. Don't do aftermarket, just buy the 05 parts.

[Mike H.]

I'm going to strip 'em and polish them out. Also going to do the same with the aluminum off-road skid plate. Will post pics when done.