I've done a lot of searching but can't find much info. I'd like to get running boards for my 2012 Quad Cab. I did find some posts recommending not to get OEM boards. Yet there are so many choices, I'm about to just get OEM but the price seems high even at the on-line OEM wholesale sites.

3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-inch
Alu, stainless, plastic
chrome, polished, black
cab length or wheel to wheel

any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

I have the black oem ones on my crew cab, I agree the price is a little high but I like them
I really dont like the $300 autoanything ones that are paper thin terrible fitting garbage that rusts out after the first rainstorm

 

You can find far better quality boards for 1/2 the price of the OEM boards.
My OEM boards (ALUMINUM) in 2yrs, have bad corrosion, mounts had to be repainted (1st year due to rusting)
Buy only FULLY stainless...!!! Ther are some out there today with stainless mounts too...!!! And cheaper than OEM.

Ebay is where i found the fully stainless (tubes boards mounts 100% stainless throughout)

 

OEM are alu?

 

I paid $270 for Raptor 4" Cab Length Stainless Oval Step Tubes Dodge Ram 10-12 (crew). They're stainless with stainless end caps (unlike oem which have black plastic). The mounting plates are somewhat better than oem, since they don't use those rivnuts, but do still mount to the rocker panel (not the frame). I've had them on for less than a year, but no problems so far.

 

Are the wheel to wheel ones worth the extra cost?

 

Yes, the OEM are aluminum, VERY thin aluminum too...!
They mount to the cab, NOT sturdy at all...!!!
The riv-nuts dont last either.

 

YES...!
I wish i had bought those instead. Nice to have when you have to reach up into the box and you have a step there to use.

 

Wheel to wheel chrome OEM dealer installed with 3 black no slip foot pads are mounted to the frame. They don't move they are on the truck now 5 years and 8 months 2007 SLT. I don't know the cost, but I like them, the dealer put them on in the deal. The Dodge Dealers were special back then, I got the boards after the sale $36k sticker Thunderroad SLT along with a new key, FREE three weeks later, as a maid at a hotel threw my keys away........long story. I mean that key along was $129 retail. I like extended warranty 7/70 no add charge. Man, you could do business back in the day with the Dodge Dealers. talk later, mike
Oh, yeah!!??? I paid $28,000 for the truck. Only had to finance 14k plus tax....Get the wheel to wheel, talk to the dealer. See if I am wrong about Dodge Dealers.

 

saberworks, these are some nice steps. Thanks for the tip.