I was looking for running boards for my 2012 Crew and settled on the Westin lighted steps only to find out that contrary to what they say on their website, the running boards won't work because of the cladding along the base of the body between the front and rear wheels.
1. Has anybody had any problems/mods adding running boards because of the cladding?
2. Has anybody had any problems/mods adding nerf bars/tubes because of the cladding?
3. I really need these things because the wife is only 5'2" and my 10 year-old grandson is even smaller, and both struggle to get into the vehicle.
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

Not sure about the Crew cladding, if its worse than the R/T. But I got aries black nerf bars months ago from autanything and said fit all durangos, but NOPE, sure dont. Long story short, not too expensive, but box a little damaged so threw it out , after i took pics of course. Company just told me to keep them. So I have black running boards just taking up space in my garage.
Yeah I didnt feel like blowing $500 on mopar ones and now I really dont want them at all. But I did waste about 3 hours on install before I came to this conclusion, AND they still didnt update their site saying not compatible with RT/HEAT models.

Good Luck. Tell the wife and kids jump before entering

 

The only ones I've seen are the mopar units but pricey as mentioned... my girls are 7 & 10 and wifey is 5'5" and getting in/out is never an issue spend the sidestep funds on a tune and intake!

 

I looked into running boards for my wife's 2012 Crew.
Didn't want nerf bars and managed to find some on eBay for fairly cheap, about $225.
She didn't like the chrome outside edge of them, so I Plasti-dipped that part black.

Had to remove and replace the cladding to get them to fit, bent a spot here and there trying to remove them , but finally got them on and got the cladding back in place.
Otherwise, the running boards used the existing holes underneath.
You'll want a deep socket in order to tighten them up right.

Craig

 

So, you had to remove the cladding to install the brackets and then reinstall the cladding before adding the steps? Did the cladding interfer with the brackets at all? Is the cladding snap-on, bolted, screwed etc?

The problem I'm getting from the shops is that according to their data bases they can't install brackets with the cladding. Of course none of them said anything about removing/reinstalling the cladding.

What damage did you do and is it visible?

Thanks for your help.

 

1. Yep, had to remove the cladding in order to get the bracket in place, installed the brackets, then replaced the cladding.

2. The cladding does NOT interfere with the brackets that came with my running boards. (when I first got my running boards, I thought I was screwed and gotten the wrong set because I couldn't get the brackets in place until I realized that the cladding was in the way) However, once my brackets were installed, the cladding was easily replaced and doesn't interfere with the brackets or running boards at all.

3. The brackets snap on with these push in type pins, trying to get them out of the mounting hole I bent a few and roughed up the edge of the cladding trying to lever them out. Plus, the are held in by a different type of push in pin in the wheel wheel and a bolt (I'm trying to remember from memory, so little fuzzy on the details, should've taken pics of the process, sorry didn't think about it at the time). Also remember having to take off the rear wheels, in order to have enough room to work on the pins in the wheel well since the cladding goes from end to end.
The damage isn't really obvious. (if I get some free time, will try to take a close up pic of the "damage" it really isn't too noticeable, sorry work pretty busy so don't have a huge amount of free time)

4. I can't tell you about the other kits, but I suspect all of them will require you to remove the cladding....it is in the exact "wrong" place when trying to fit the brackets into their proper location.

This is the kit I got, but it was a different seller and the price has gone waaay up!!! talk about whiskey tango foxtrot:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/11-13-Dodge-Durango-76-Premium-Side-Step-Running-Boards-60018-/230968723292?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2012%7CModel%3ADurango&hash=item35c6cf075c&vxp=mtr
no way would i have paid over even $300 for running boards

my plan was to buy a replacement cladding set if I really f'd them up, but I got lucky and managed to pull them off without too much damage.

take your time with the cladding and lever them off slowly... I used tools from a plastic trim/car radio removal kit I got off Fleabay for $5 (can also get them cheap from Harbor Freight too). prolly would've caused more damage using a screwdriver or butter knife, etc...

hope i answered your questions, good luck with the search and eventual installation.

Craig

 

Also looking at running boards. Has anyone installed these ones on their Durango?

http://www.runningboardwarehouse.com...2011-2012.aspx

 

I think those are the ones "pedsedoc" above has, except he blacked out the chrome strip. I likey.
The local Dodge store has been very helpful in my search for wheels and running boards but I wonder how nice they'll be when I ask them "How do I remove/reinstall the cladding?" We'll see.
Appearently decent running boards, not step bars, will run around $300-plus after adding in the brackets. Then add about $150 labor at the local shop and you're into it for nearly $500. Ouch. Unless I can find a lift my wrenching days are long gone.

 

I think he may have got these ones. Very similar. Just wondering if the Ionics will install better
http://www.ebay.com/itm/11-13-Dodge-Durango-76-Deluxe-Side-Step-Nerf-Running-Boards-/350663972618?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ADurango&hash=item51a533970a&vxp=mtr

 

mine look exactly like the Ionic ones--might even be the same ones, just repackaged and sold by the ebay seller.

I call BS for the 1 hour installation claim on their website--hardly...even if you had a lift and a NASCAR pit crew working on both sides at the same time.