Fiberglass Running Boards and Black Chrome Fender Trim

[TXGrayGhost]

Hey fellow Chevy Truckers!

I've got a dilemma I've been trying to sort through since I bought my truck. You can see from the signature image, that my truck has those old school fiberglass running boards. They were on there when I bought it and really the truck was in such fantastic shape and loaded and had such a great price, I didn't care. Honestly the running boards really aren't my style, but man have they preserved my rocker panel paint. Not a single rock chip or dot of asphalt! Plus my Granny sure likes them to help her climb in my truck.

Anyway to my point (man us Texans sure beat around the bush!) Someone not-so-kindly ran into me the other day on I-35 S and the damage was confined to the running boards only. I got a check from her insurance to cover the cost, but I'm wondering if I should use that money to pull the running boards off completely. The problem is they are screwed in to the underside of my fender well, so I have that issue to content with, plus I'm sure the paint will be rubbed/scratched where the running boards were in contact with the truck. I think I could use some fender trim to hide that, and even reuse the holes (I just thought of that idea), but I'm not a fan of bright chrome against this color of my truck which is charcoal gray. I've seen some black chrome fender trim but for the life of me cannot remember where it was. Has anyone seen that out there? What are ya'lls thoughts o n the running boards? I mean with stock tires they don't look that great, but I did see a truck - same year as mine with these running boards and 20's or 22's and man did it look nice. I don't think I'll be buying new tires and rims in the immediate future, because I can't really afford it now and I'm trying to increase my fuel economy, not worsen it. I do believe at some point in the future (next year or two) I will buy new rims - probably gun-metal gray kinda style. I really like the clean lines of my truck and that's why I'm sort of hesitant to use regular chrome. I need some advice so please feel free to dispense it as needed. Thanks in advance!

[MWright936]

I agree, I don't really like the looks of fiberglass running boards. From the looks of things, it seems there will only be visible "damage" on the fenders. It looks like the running board mounts under the body of the truck, so you wouldn't be able to see anything there. What I would do if it looks bad around the fenders is get some nice lookin fender flares. Then, if you (or your grandma) still want the convenience of a step, get some step rails. That's my two cents.

[retired2001]

Just a thought, but you might consider the "flairs" from a Z71. My truck is the same color as yours, I think, and the factory "flairs" should cover any paint damage around the wheel wells. You will miss (or your Granny will miss) the running boards to enter the truck. I had a set of running boards installed and they work great. Good luck!