Rock chips without running boards?

[bigb]

At least on my RR mud flaps helped keep the sides clean but they don’t help one bit with rocks hitting the rear quarter panel. If you look at the side of the truck and think about the angle, flaps would have to extend to an inch or two off the ground and have zero flex on the highway to be effective, and that’s not even possible because they would be hitting the ground every time the springs compressed a little.

On top of that, PPF won’t do shit to prevent a rock chip at highway speed (which is when you get them). A little pea size rock will tear right through the best ppf and then it starts building up dirt under it and looks like shit and your paint is still chipped and some people have issues with the paint coming off with the ppf in areas where there are frequent hits.

If you’re removing the running boards or just don’t have any I would just accept that you’re going to get more paint chips because of it.

I don't see how running boards would help protect the rear quarters since they end in front of the wheels, so it seems like what you are saying is no matter what, the rear quarters are susceptible. Which makes sense as my F350 with running boards had a fair amount of chips back there. Unless rocks thrown up by the fronts make it to the rear quarters.

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[SubZombie]

I don't see how running boards would help protect the rear quarters since they end in front of the wheels, so it seems like what you are saying is no matter what, the rear quarters are susceptible. Which makes sense as my F350 with running boards had a fair amount of chips back there. Unless rocks thrown up by the fronts make it to the rear quarters.

I’m confused All of the chips you get on the rear quarter panel come from rocks being thrown up from the front tires. That’s why the running boards protect them.

 

[bigb]

If that's the case I need to decide if I care enough about Rock chips to have running boards, which get in my way of entering and exiting.

 

[bigb]

I was assuming by rear quarter panel you meant #15 in the diagram but from the sounds of it you are referring to #12, the entire panel, or at least the parts that bulge out? At any rate I do have a decision to make. At this point in my life a few rock chips are pretty low on the list lol!

 

[bigb]

Anyone have these? 3 different mounting height choices giving some adjustability that may help with entry/exiting. I think I'll order them while they are 30% off. If they don't work out for my needs it's only $279 instead of $750.
I like the look of them, they are exactly like what was on my Superduty.


https://realtruck.com/p/ionic-facto...vl5ccmGDRdYTG041NPS5tcPsIvqXgllxoC2hAQAvD_BwE

 

[Tom W8JI]

I live on a mile long rock road. I had an F150 with electric running boards and it was a day and night difference in rocks hitting the doors and rockers between running boards retracted or down. This was with mud flaps installed!

My 25 ranger is not nearly as bad as the F150 but it has aftermarket mud flaps and factory running boards. I would not be without both things on my road.

 

[bigb]

So I decided I do want running boards. Question is do I add them to my build, my build date is scheduled for Oct 6. Or do I buy after market ones? Opinions?

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

So I decided I do want running boards. Question is do I add them to my build, my build date is scheduled for Oct 6. Or do I buy after market ones? Opinions?

Factory boards aren't the best if you want something that covers better look at GoRhino RB20's they make both a wide version and a slim line one. The cover more like the Raptor boards.
Here are the wide ones on my previous truck.

 

[bigb]

Thanks, I stopped by the dealer and it's too late to make changes to my order so I'll be installing my own after all.

 

[ShadowDragon24]

Mine was ordered by dealer without runners. so they put ppf on the front of the box sides behind the cab. but I added the factory boards, and mud flaps to mine. so she got the factory ppf for the bed side fro ts, steps, and runners

 

[RJRanger]

I fixed at least 10 on each side in front of the rear tires. Installed running boards too.

Do you have the OEM.splash guards? They help

 

[RJRanger]

So I decided I do want running boards. Question is do I add them to my build, my build date is scheduled for Oct 6. Or do I buy after market ones? Opinions?

The factory boards are not very good. They leave a gap between the board and body big enough that you can see the mounting brackets. Look at Westin SG6. They have a rubber seal between the board and body. They are also aluminum so much lighter and will not rust if you live in an that uses calcium on the roads during winter. Took about 1 hour to install....very easy.

 

[danmoochie]

When these trucks first started showing up on dealership lots, all units without running boards automatically came with PPF on the section of the lower bed right before the rear tire. Like what shadowdragon above shows. When we first got them, we thought it was added by someone, only to contact Ford and told that is how they ship without running boards. Not sure if they still do it. but that would add some logic to rock chip issues.

 

[Onceaneagle]

So now to decide which ones, Rokblok doesn't have any for the 24-25 Ranger yet, there's Ford then Weathertech and Husky. Any other recommended ones?

Points can get you Ford flaps. I have put them on numerous Focus and Escape SUVs and never had fender rock chipping with that wheelbase, and no boards on those vehicles. I put Weathertech on my trucks. I have not experienced rock chipping with Weathertech and AMP boards on trucks but will go the PPF route eventually.

 

[FreezingFlatlander]

I installed these Tyger Auto LanderX side steps which fit fairly tight against the body which I think protects some from rocks hitting the body. I still hear the rocks hitting but think they are hitting the side steps instead of the Ranger body. I sprayed bedliner material on the side steps so will see how that goes. I do have the Ford Splash Guards. I do like these side steps as they do not drag as much in deep snow as much as other side steps do.

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