Assist Step Preference

zibzer · November 13, 2020

I am looking to add assist steps on my new-to-me 2017 Silverado Crew Cab Regular Box. Im stuck between the GM 4” chrome round, or the GM 6” chrome step. I am leaning towards the round style but wondering what others think.

GOMD · November 13, 2020

I have the 6" Chrome, but If i had to do it all over, I'd prob go with something else. The chrome is not holding up too well, and the steps get real slippery in winter.

ETA: steps are not clean by any stretch, but here there are in their current state, 3 years on the truck.

Edited November 13, 2020 by GOMD

zibzer · November 13, 2020

That is the second time I have heard someone say they dislike their OEM flat 6” running board. Seems every 2014-2018 truck i see in town has this style running board in either chrome or black. Rarely do I see the round chrome ones on any 2014-18s .

GOMD · November 13, 2020

I'd prob opt for black paint if you are only choosing from OEM steps.

Also please don't pay those prices in the picture above, and if you are somewhat handy you can install yourself.

Lastly, nice job on a CC Reg box, I wish I would have gotten one after living with the truck for a while.

Edited November 13, 2020 by GOMD

Salsa De Piña · November 13, 2020

Whatever you do, be sure they're stainless or aluminum (or be prepared to replace them in a few years.)

zibzer · November 13, 2020

51 minutes ago, GOMD said:

I'd prob opt for black paint if you are only choosing from OEM steps.

Also please don't pay those prices in the picture above, and if you are somewhat handy you can install yourself.

Lastly, nice job on a CC Reg box, I wish I would have gotten one after living with the truck for a while.

I was quoted about 900$ installed from the local dealer for either style. Everything is ridiculously expensive here in Canada. I suspect OEM would be better quality than most aftermarket styles. With all the salt they throw on the roads I often see aftermarket parts like this rusting away in only a few short years.

Oh and thanks for the compliment on the truck. With a baby on the way I wanted to upgrade my old ext cab to a crew cab but didnt want to sacrifice bed space. I didnt even know GM had 1/2 tonne crew cab reg box trucks so when I saw this one I jumped on it. I havent seen many since so I suspect they are a bit rare. it also came with the max towing package and the 373 gears really make it feel peppy considering the weight of the truck.

Lsgun1 · November 13, 2020

Of those choices the round black ones but I'd go aftermarket if that's an option. Plenty of aftermarket parts are better then factory and its only a few bolts on each side to install them so don't pay the dealer.

sldhead700 · November 13, 2020

I like my 6" flat much better than my old round ones....I used to have round 4" ones on my suburban....

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JimCost2014 · November 16, 2020

These, they look good on the blue trucks. Congratulations on your new to you truck!

dieselfan1 · November 16, 2020

I have the 6"flat on both my trucks. Not oem though they look exactly the same . Go Rhino is the brand. They are around $550 and easy to install.
The benefit is they keep a lot of the crap from the front tire off the side of your truck compared to the round bars.

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zibzer · November 16, 2020

3 hours ago, dieselfan1 said:

I have the 6"flat on both my trucks. Not oem though they look exactly the same . Go Rhino is the brand. They are around $550 and easy to install.
The benefit is they keep a lot of the crap from the front tire off the side of your truck compared to the round bars.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Good point regarding stopping road debris from hitting the paint. How do you find the function of the flat assist steps? My girlfriend is a bit on the shorter side and has trouble getting into the truck so they will definitely need to be functional as well as look good.
the reason I ask is I have heard a few complaints as to how well they actually work as an assist step.

zibzer · November 16, 2020

On 11/13/2020 at 5:55 PM, sldhead700 said:

I like my 6" flat much better than my old round ones....I used to have round 4" ones on my suburban....

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Thanks for your input. When you say you like the flat ones better are you speaking from a design perspective, or the function?

JimCost2014 · November 16, 2020

10 minutes ago, zibzer said:

Good point regarding stopping road debris from hitting the paint. How do you find the function of the flat assist steps? My girlfriend is a bit on the shorter side and has trouble getting into the truck so they will definitely need to be functional as well as look good.
the reason I ask is I have heard a few complaints as to how well they actually work as an assist step.

My wife is 5'1", biggest reason they are still on my truck.

I live in Washington, being a factory option, they are holding up well with all of our rain, and occasional snow (I go to the mountains quite a few times each winter).

sldhead700 · November 17, 2020

Thanks for your input. When you say you like the flat ones better are you speaking from a design perspective, or the function?

Actually both. It protects from debris being tossed up on the side better then my 4" one did.
I also find that the wider board is less slippery ( because of it having a bigger surface area to get more of my foot on) when snow covered than my 4" were. But I have slipped on the 6" also..... It's just an easier,/ more stable foothold in those conditions. (They both had the rubber grip on top when you step on them)
Good luck with your decision.

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dieselfan1 · November 17, 2020

1 hour ago, zibzer said:

Good point regarding stopping road debris from hitting the paint. How do you find the function of the flat assist steps? My girlfriend is a bit on the shorter side and has trouble getting into the truck so they will definitely need to be functional as well as look good.
the reason I ask is I have heard a few complaints as to how well they actually work as an assist step.

They work good as an step. My wife drives the silver one. She is 5'1" and says she needs them.

I really need them on the black truck. They are over two feet off the ground and that's about the max I would want them for a daily driver. It's a stretch but not too bad. I can't imagine not having them though.

You should see my wife trying to get in it. Reminds me of a little kid trying to get up on the couch