This review/advice is for the Model # OE 20825-20835. All black, no chrome, with two grip pads not one solid one. I hope this helps someone down the line. I installed these running boards today. I found the directions lacking in some details I had to figure out during the installation. This install was on a 2023 RAM 1500 4x4. It turned out great in the end and the quality of the materials are pretty good. The install took me three hours, but that included some head scratching. My truck size and my body size were such that I could lay on the ground and do the wrenching on the hardware below the truck. It was a tight fit but doable.
After unpackaging and separating the hardware on a towel, I open the directions, and it reads that I will need a socket wrench and the following sockets: 10mm, 13mm, 14mm, 16mm, & 17mm. I discovered I did not have a 16mm, so off to Auto Zone to get one. Turns out, the only socket required was the 13mm. All my sockets above are the short type, about an inch tall. This was not going to work because a longer socket is needed for ½ the installation. You will need one that is ~ 2-1/2 inches tall or more, I think they are called Impact Sockets. And of course, I didn’t have a 13mm in the taller size. Fortunately, I had a taller one in ½ inch Imperial that did the trick.
Another note on hardware, there are small flat washers and large flat washers. The small ones are for the bracket nuts. My RAM had factory installed bolts sticking out to receive running boards. The large ones are for when you fasten the board to the bracket. All bolted connections require the locking washer as well. The directions also show that the hardware provided includes 30mm Hex Bolts. These did not come in the plastic bag with all the other hardware. They were already threaded into the receiver parts on the underside of the running boards, and can be untightened for installation.
Out of the nuts provided, two were defective and would not thread. Fortunately, extras are provided, but if you get a bad batch, you might want to have some extra 13mm hex flange nuts on hand just in case.
The first part of the installation is the brackets. The directions read that the nuts should not be tightened all the way. I found this unnecessary and counter-productive on the brackets.
As for the running board installation, the grip pads as shown in the pictures on Amazon, show the wider flare on one side to be closest to the truck, but it’s your choice I guess.
Once you set the boards on the brackets and crawl under the truck again, line up the sliding receivers with the brackets. Now these bolts need to be left slightly loose so you can slide the boards back and forth to match up both sides in proximity to the wheel wells, with the location according to your preferences. Then go and tighten the bolts.
I did have one receiver where one of the two receptive threaded holes did not line up with the bracket holes. There was a brace inside the board that was in the way.
There is some “in and out” on the slotted holes in the brackets and I pushed the boards to the full protrusion away from the truck. At max you get about 4 inches of the 6 inch wide boards that are not under the body. I am used to more room to step on in my previous trucks, but these work fine and look good.