Running Boards usefulness

Necessary for short people like me Dave.

Motherhen

Can be useful for getting things off the roof racks..... and some do provide protection.

Horses for courses ....

I have the same on my Kia Sorento (from the same factory) and had/have the same problem. In fact one side did get caught and broke the front bracket and had to be removed. The left one also got caught but was able to be bent back in shape and is still fitted. The left side of the car is fairly clean where the right side has mud up the side. A car travelling behind us commented that they are the low point and if they weren't there there would have been no clearance problems. I think mine will be off when we get home.

Hi Dave

I find the factory side steps on my 80 series, do reduce the mud from up the side of the doors, and have noticed the same on other 4wd.And do protect the lower parts off the doors and sills from stone chips road debris thrown up.
Also helps in car parks against car door and shopping trolley dents.

Rob

The will help protect the bottoms of the doors, if you didn't have them on, chances are that the next time you get hung up, it will damage the bottom sills. It easier to fix those than the sills.
You could look at taking them off and replace them with something thinner but stronger.

I stand on them to wash the roof of the Paj!
And also helps to tie stuff to the roof rack on occasion.

Cheers

Not sure about the Terracan, but on the Prado they offer very little protection. We took them off and replaced them with heavier duty "rock sliders" that do give protection to the sills and (supposedly) the ability to jack the car from them. Strangely the sliders were cheaper than a new set of Toyota side steps, so we can refit the originals (in perfect condition) should we sell the car.

The running boards on my cruiser are actually water tanks - dual purpose - very useful

John