You just dropped forty or fifty grand on a brand-new 2024 Chevy Colorado. It looks mean. The redesigned stance is taller, the tech is sharper, and the engine’s got that punchy turbo-four. But then you realize something. Your five-foot-four spouse is basically doing a vertical leap to get into the passenger seat, and your kids are treating the door frame like a climbing wall at the local gym. Honestly, it’s a mess.
You need steps. Specifically, you need 2024 Colorado running boards that don't look like an afterthought.
The problem is the market is flooded. Between the official Chevy catalog and the wild west of Amazon aftermarket parts, you’re looking at prices ranging from $180 to $1,800. It’s overwhelming. Most people just click "buy" on whatever the dealer suggests, but that’s usually a mistake. You’re often paying for a logo rather than a better product. Let’s break down what’s actually happening with these boards so you don't waste your cash.
The Factory vs. Aftermarket Tug-of-War
Chevy calls them "Assist Steps." If you go through the official portal, you'll see a few standard options. There’s the 5-inch rectangular black board—part number 84844353—which usually runs about $400 to $550 depending on the sale. It’s a solid, "safe" choice. It fits the pre-drilled holes in the rocker panels perfectly. No drilling. No stress.
But here’s the kicker.
If you bought a ZR2 or a Trail Boss, you might already have "Rocker Protectors." These are basically heavy-duty metal bars meant to keep rocks from smashing your bodywork. They are great for off-roading, but they are absolutely useless as steps. They’re too high and too tucked in. If you want steps for a ZR2, you actually have to buy removable step attachments that bolt onto those protectors. Those little add-on steps? They’ll set you back another $350-$400 for a pair.
That is a lot of money for a tiny piece of metal.
Aftermarket brands like Ionic, Go Rhino, and Tyger have seen this gap and jumped in. You can get a set of Tyger Auto Star Armor nerf bars for roughly half of what Chevy charges, and frankly, they often look more aggressive.
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Ground Clearance: The Silent Dealbreaker
Most people forget about the "hang." You want a step, sure, but you don't want your truck to look like it’s wearing low-hanging pants.
Lowering your ground clearance is a cardinal sin for a truck like the Colorado, especially if you’re taking it on a trail. Some 6-inch wide boards act like a giant shovel when you're driving through deep snow or mud. If you care about the "truck look," you want something like the Go Rhino RB20. It’s inspired by the Ford Raptor’s boards—wide enough to catch your foot but tapered and high-tight to the body.
What Real Owners Are Saying About the "Budget" Options
I spent some time digging through the ColoradoFans forums and Reddit threads. There’s a specific brand that keeps popping up: Iron Bison.
A lot of Trail Boss owners are installing these because they’re cheap—usually under $250. One owner, "nakadashi2day," noted that they are solid enough for daily use but warned about a slight flex if you’re pushing 300 lbs. That’s the trade-off. Cheaper boards often use thinner mounting brackets. Instead of a reinforced U-shape bracket, you might get a single flat plate of steel.
It’ll hold you. It just might "give" a little when you hop out.
Then you have the high-end stuff. If you want to feel like a VIP every time the door opens, you look at the Rough Country Power Running Boards or the AMP Research PowerSteps. These are motorized. They hide under the truck while you’re driving and deploy automatically when you open the door. They even have built-in LED lights.
They also cost about $1,300 to $1,800.
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Is it worth it? If you’re short or have elderly passengers, yes. It gives you a much lower "drop" than a fixed board, making the climb significantly easier. Plus, you keep 100% of your ground clearance when they’re retracted. Just be ready for the installation—wiring up motors to your door sensors is a whole different beast than turning a few bolts.
A Quick Reality Check on Materials
- Carbon Steel: It’s heavy and strong. It’s also the first thing to rust if you live in the Salt Belt. If you buy steel, make sure it has a high-quality textured powder coat.
- Aluminum: This is the sweet spot. It won’t rust. It’s lighter, which helps (slightly) with your fuel economy. Most OE-style boards are aluminum for a reason.
- Stainless Steel: Shiny, but expensive. Mostly for people who want that chrome look.
Installation: Can You Actually Do This Yourself?
Short answer: Yes.
Longer answer: Yes, but your back will hate you if you don't have a creeper.
The 2024 Colorado is actually very DIY-friendly for this specific mod. Chevy was kind enough to include pre-threaded holes in the rocker panels. You don't have to drill into your brand-new frame. You’re basically just lining up brackets and tightening bolts.
Pro-Tip from the field: Don't tighten the bolts all the way at first. Most people make the mistake of cranking down the first bracket they touch. Leave everything "finger tight" until the board is actually sitting on the brackets. This allows you to slide the board forward or backward to make sure it’s perfectly centered under the doors. Once it looks right, then you go to town with the torque wrench.
You’ll need:
- A socket set (usually 10mm, 13mm, or 14mm depending on the kit).
- A torque wrench (aim for about 15-20 ft-lbs for most rocker-mount bolts).
- Maybe a buddy to hold the other end of the board so you don't scratch your paint.
The "N-Fab" Factor and Side Protection
If you actually do some light off-roading, look at the N-Fab Predator Pro or their RKR rails. These aren't flat boards; they are "hoop steps." You get a solid bar that runs the length of the cab, which helps protect your rocker panels from shopping carts or stray rocks, and then individual hoops drop down right where you need to step.
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It’s a specific look. Kinda tactical. Kinda minimalist.
The downside? If you have big feet or you’re wearing work boots, those small hoops can feel a bit cramped. You have to be more precise with your foot placement compared to a 6-inch wide platform.
Why You Should Avoid the "Universal" Fit
You’ll see some generic 79-inch or 93-inch boards online that claim to fit "most mid-size trucks." Avoid these like the plague. The 2024 Colorado has specific mounting points that changed slightly from the previous generation. If a kit says it fits a 2012 Colorado and a 2024 Colorado, it’s probably lying or requires a "universal" bracket that will be a nightmare to align.
Stick to kits specifically labeled for the "3rd Gen" or "2023-2024+" models.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
If you want the cleanest look and have the budget, get the Go Rhino RB20 Slim. It’s the most "factory plus" look you can get. It matches the truck’s lines and won't rust.
If you just want something that works so your family stops complaining, the Tyger Auto TG-RS2C40208 (Riser style) is the king of the budget world. It’s a 4-inch wide step, easy to install, and usually sits under $200.
If you’re driving a ZR2, don't buy new boards. Just buy the Chevy Removable Assist Steps that clip onto your existing rock sliders. It preserves the off-road capability while giving you a leg up when you're heading to the grocery store.
Next Step for You: Go outside and measure the distance from the ground to your door sill. If it's more than 18 inches, you definitely need a board with a "drop" of at least 3 inches to make a real difference in entry comfort. Once you have that measurement, check your truck's underside for the four mounting holes per side to confirm you're ready for a bolt-on kit.