Running board/height loss realization

I took the Ridge out for a little off-roading over Memorial Day. Attached are a few photos. I had a blast but did minor damage to the hangers which support my running boards. They're bent back from catching rocks. I want something so that when I load gear on the roof rack, I can reach. However, the hangers take ~ 3 inches of clearance. I'm wondering if I switched to nerf bars if I'd gain anything. Can people post opinions? I don't off-road a lot but I do like to occasionally get to remote locations and this can involve rugged terrain.

:eek: wow, you got gutz to take you RL in that trail...i envy you. i will let you know if i do decide to try what you did. :eek: :D

I've bent mine on one side also. Didn't move the running board. They are pretty tough.
Those brackets do hang pretty low.

I love your pics. Kori's having a good time on her adventures. We've scraped our running boards but I don't believe we've bent them yet. I'll try to remember to look tomorrow. Let us know if you change out to another type.

I went out today with two sets of vice grips and managed to straighten them out some. Initially I took a bracket off and tried to fix it it in a vise but I couldn't get a clean set up and would have had to hammer at the bracket which I didn't want to do. Leaving them mounted and clamping a 1x4x1/16" piece metal strip with two vice grips and them pulling on it worked OK. I'm sure that repeated fixes like this will ruin the brackets so I'm still evaluating alternatives - one of which includes staying away from that kind of trail ;)

is there a way to strengthen those brakets? maybe to box them up weld? or will it still bet bent even if we get them box up?

is there a way to strengthen those brakets? maybe to box them up weld? or will it still bet bent even if we get them box up?
There probably is a way to strengthen the brackets but I'm not certain I would want to. The positive of having them bent is that the running boards are not affected. I think if the brackets were NOT flexible then the whole system would take the the blow - and become damaged. Sometimes having something too solid causes a break instead of a bend ;)

Sometimes having something too solid causes a break instead of a bend ;)
Continuing with this line of thinking...how much do these brackets costs (individually or in a set)? It may be prudent to continue fixing them with vise grips, once they have reached a point where that fix doesn't work, swap it out. Just a thought.

I took the Ridge out for a little off-roading over Memorial Day. Attached are a few photos. I had a blast but did minor damage to the hangers which support my running boards. They're bent back from catching rocks. I want something so that when I load gear on the roof rack, I can reach. However, the hangers take ~ 3 inches of clearance. I'm wondering if I switched to nerf bars if I'd gain anything. Can people post opinions? I don't off-road a lot but I do like to occasionally get to remote locations and this can involve rugged terrain.

Nice pic's OneBigDog!
I had the running boards on a MDX and had the same trouble, plus they caught a lot of mud. That is why I didn't go that route with the RL.
Can you not load the roof rack from the back by standing in the bed?
Here is a pic of a trail on my place that looks similar to yours.
I will be out there this weekend running around checking camp and doing some repairs. Might even try to whack a Hog or Yote. So many critters, so little time.:)

I went on an offroad track here up in the Colorado Mnts, had an amazing time, should have taken more picts, had my rear wheel off the ground about 2feet, but was too worried about the car than to take pictures (first time offroading).

But I bent some of my brackets as well, so far no problems with them, they hold just as well as they did before.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10678&stc=1&d=1150959423

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10679&stc=1&d=1150959423

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10680&stc=1&d=1150959423

I went on an offroad track here up in the Colorado Mnts, had an amazing time, should have taken more picts, had my rear wheel off the ground about 2feet, but was too worried about the car than to take pictures (first time offroading).

But I bent some of my brackets as well, so far no problems with them, they hold just as well as they did before.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10678&stc=1&d=1150959423

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10679&stc=1&d=1150959423

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10680&stc=1&d=1150959423




Great pics!!! Offroading is not my cup of tea. I use mine for beach driving and bad winter weather.

Here's a link to my bent running board brackets photos:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9930&highlight=running+board+brackets

Just like OneBigDog, a few bent fins won't be keeping us on the pavement! :D

Great photos OneBigDog, Sure looks like fun!