Removed Factory Running Boards

flyin6 · November 19, 2010

I recently removed the factory running boards from my new Escalade EXT. I liked the "cleaner" look of the Avalanche compared to the almost gawdy apperaance of the Escalade. ALthough I like the additional nicities in the Esky and of course the great 6.2, I perfer the more trucky look. Having another off road looking truck, I want the Escalade to be a refined driver while losing some of it almost overstated chrome appearance. Additionally I wanted to lighten the vehicle while I add parts to the engine to build performance.

Here it is with it's cleaner look:

white07gmc · November 19, 2010

Looks good. Nice and clean.

flyin6 · November 19, 2010

Looks good. Nice and clean.

It just had TOO much chrome on it before. Perhaps dechroming the mirrors would help with the stealth look a little more...

white07gmc · November 19, 2010

I'm not a fan of chrome either.

ATXSerria · November 19, 2010

I say it looks good either way. Chrome only looks good on one color... black.

RB`S Av · November 19, 2010

Looks Great, Here is my 2010 LS

flyin6 · November 19, 2010

Looks Great, Here is my 2010 LS

Yep, that's the look that led me to pull my boards off...Great looking truck you have there!

SouthCo · November 20, 2010

The Escalades don't look right without running boards. No offense, the front screams old man sedan and now the sides whisper "I'm missing something to make me look like a truck." But don't pay me no attention. It's all in what you like.

flyin6 · November 20, 2010

The Escalades don't look right without running boards. No offense, the front screams old man sedan and now the sides whisper "I'm missing something to make me look like a truck." But don't pay me no attention. It's all in what you like.

I guess I disagree. The front suggests muscular underpinnings while maintaining class to me. The running boards

seem to suggest soccer mom and little kiddie ease of entry and utility. Like you say, it's all in what you like.

Sean006 · November 20, 2010

The Escalades don't look right without running boards. No offense, the front screams old man sedan and now the sides whisper "I'm missing something to make me look like a truck." But don't pay me no attention. It's all in what you like.

+1

Hunt1 · November 20, 2010

If you're gonna go this route, I would like to suggest removing the plastic and chrome door moldings as well as all of the chrome badging. Personally, I'd black out the grill, and all other chrome trim. I am a fan of chrome, when done in moderation, but that has obviously been done with Eskies before. I guess I'm sayin' that just removing those side boards makes your truck look a bit confused.

cwalcz · November 20, 2010

Looks good...I like it without the running boards. the only thing I would say you have left to do in de-chroming is to get that chrome off the mirrors, the rest is not too overwhelming

flyin6 · November 20, 2010

Looks good...I like it without the running boards. the only thing I would say you have left to do in de-chroming is to get that chrome off the mirrors, the rest is not too overwhelming

I see that also. I think I'll tape over the chrome on the morrors to see what I end up with and go with that.

About removing all the chrome, no way. I saw an Esky not long ago where the owner blacked it out, and it looked awful. No Sir, a subtle blend of chrome (If you are going to use it) is very tasteful.

I went down this road first with my H2, then again with my Sierra Denali. The H2 was black with the chrome package. I removed everything except the door handles and the wheels, but I lost the chrome center caps. It looked much more like an off road truck afterward.

The Denali had that chrome grill which I painted black to match the truck and I painted that silly looking chin grill thing also. I left the grill surround chrome and left the chrome trim on the side. It looked great that way. Not too much to be overstated ghetto-ugly but enough to look refined.

THe Escalade is one of the most powerful of GM trucks, It does not need to look like the Denali with it's running boards and extra chrome. Just my opinion, but then again I'm paying for it, and I do believe in setting my own style. It looks great to me without the boards, so if anyone wants them???