Side steps and running boards — Page 619

Side steps in this section are door-mounted running boards installed on brackets into the factory mounting points under the body: Erkul aluminum platforms, CAN stainless-steel tubes, Dakar heavy-duty steel steps by Omsa Line, OEM “original design” steps, and electric retractable steps for Range Rover. Almost all are vehicle-specific and sold as a pair—left and right; the package contents are listed in the product specs.

Types of side steps

Erkul aluminum platforms come in different widths: Maya is about 10 cm, Duru and Rainbow are about 13 cm, and Bosphore, Allmond, Tayga, Line, Fullmond, Sunrise, Shining, RedLine, Maydos, Mevsim, Vision, and BlackLine are about 14 cm. The V1 and V2 labels and the words Black, Grey, Red, Blue in the name describe the design and color: for example, Bosphore Black is fully black, while Maya Red and Maya Blue have a colored stripe on top.

How to choose side steps for your vehicle

• Model, generation, years. Select your vehicle in the “Make / Model” filter and match the years in the title: after a generation change, the brackets are usually different.
• Wheelbase. For vans and minivans, step length depends on wheelbase—titles may include “short wheelbase”, L1, or XS. A short-wheelbase step won’t fit a long-wheelbase vehicle.
• Tube or platform. A tube is more compact and sticks out less; a platform provides a wider, more comfortable footing.
• Color and design. Grey, black, with a colored stripe, chrome or black tubes—compare photos with your body color and other styling parts.

How side steps are installed

Vehicle-specific steps mount with brackets into factory mounting points under the body, so most cars don’t require drilling or welding. Erkul aluminum steps list “2 steps, bracket kit” in the specs; CAN tubes include a mounting kit. Depending on the model, the factory lower plastic trim may need to be removed or trimmed. Steps with LED lighting are wired into the vehicle’s electrical system—this job is best left to an auto electrician. You can step on the running board, but you must not jack the vehicle up by it.

Steps by brand and related categories

Selections: Toyota side steps, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Renault, Hyundai, Kia; by manufacturer—Erkul and CAN.

For pick-ups, heavy-duty steps are listed separately, and brackets and spare parts are in step mounts and step accessories. If you’re looking for entry-area protection rather than a step, you need door sill plates. Full body protection is in bull bars and side steps.

This description was prepared with the help of AI based on the analysis of over 1 million phone calls between DD Tuning managers and customers, as well as the company knowledge base. We compiled the most frequently asked questions and field-tested answers.