Side steps and sill covers: running boards, repair and protection
Four different things under one name
People look for very different things in this category, so the first job is not to get it wrong. Side steps (tubes or platforms) help you climb into a tall vehicle. Sill covers (inside the cabin or outside) protect the sill from scratches and decorate it. Repair sills are a body part that is welded in place of a rusted sill. Sill guards are reinforced covers for rough roads. State in your request which one you need.
Material and colour
Aluminium is light and doesn’t rust, but bends under strong knocks. Stainless steel is stronger and lasts long, often in chrome. Plastic is cheap and good for decoration, but weaker for steps. For rough roads choose powder-coated steel. Chrome looks striking, but dulls quickly with dirt and road salt, and matte black is more practical. Carbon and carbon-look are for decoration inside.
What to check before buying
Steps fix to the factory points on the body or the frame, so each model has its own set. Give the year, generation and body type: a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150, for example, has facelifts that can affect the fixing. Steps reduce ground clearance, so for heavy off-road use sill guards are a better choice. For covers inside the cabin, the exact shape matters, and whether they get in the way of the mat.
What to put in your request
- What you need — side steps, sill covers, repair sills or guards.
- Model and year — for example, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150, 2018.
- Material — aluminium, stainless steel, plastic, carbon.
- Colour — chrome, matte black.
- Fitting — fitted for you or by yourself.
- Condition — new or used.
- Delivery and budget.
Example: “I need new aluminium side steps, matte black, for a 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150. With fitting. Courier delivery to Sharjah, budget up to AED 660.”
How to compare offers
Compare the material and wall thickness, the maximum load for the steps and what is in the set: brackets, fixings, instructions. Ask whether the body has to be drilled. Look at photos on your model, and at the warranty and return terms. For repair sills, ask about galvanising and the thickness of the metal.
How BlaBlaPrice helps
You write a request once, and sellers and fitters reply in the chat: what they offer, what the part and the fitting cost, when it will be ready. The site shows the offer with the best value first, with reviews next to it. Sellers see their place among the others and often improve their terms. Contacts are hidden. Details are in the “How it works” section.
For such a car, sunshades and car mats also fit well.
