Disclosure: I received this product at no cost for review purposes. My opinions are entirely my own and were not influenced by the company. They have no control over the content of this review.
Today, we are in the garage Studios for a much-needed hardware upgrade for the Rivian R1T. I’ve got a long box from EVBase—these are their running boards, which also double as rock sliders.
If you’ve taken delivery of an R1T or R1S, you know that step-in height can be a bit much for the family, especially if you have the suspension set to “Standard” or “High.” Today, we’re going to walk through the technical installation process, the tools you actually need, and how these affect your jack points.
The Gear: EVBase Running Boards
Right out of the box, these things are heavy—which is a good sign for durability and technical performance as a rock slider.
- Design: They feature a clean “r1t” logo (also available for r1s or with universal holes).
- Support: The kit comes with specific support brackets labeled for the driver and passenger sides (front and tail).
- Tools Included: It comes with an instruction manual and basic tools, including a T55 torx bit.
Technical Installation: The Process
I recommend raising your suspension to “Off-Road” and “Highest” ride height before you start. This gives you the clearance needed to reach the underbody clips without needing a jack immediately.
1. Panel Removal
The R1T has three underbody plastic panels held up by 10mm bolts and T20 screws.
- Front Panel: Two 10mm bolts and two T20 screws.
- Rear Panel: One 10mm bolt.
- Center Panel: No bolts, just clips.
- Pro-Tip: Be extremely careful with the plastic clips (there are about 9 in the middle and 4 in the rear). Use a flathead screwdriver to gently release them. Once the running boards are installed, these plastic panels cannot be reinstalled.
2. Bracket and Board Mounting
This is where it gets technical. The factory bolts are torqued down hard.
- The Struggle: The provided T55 tool is fine, but for the required leverage, we had to use a jack handle over the wrench to get the bolts loose. An impact driver with a T55 socket would speed this up significantly.
- Mounting: Once the brackets are on, the running boards sit on top and are secured using a clamping system that slides into place.
Jack Point Clearance and Safety
One big concern with aftermarket running boards is whether they block the jack points. I tested this with both a standard 2-ton jack and my neighbor’s 3-ton Pro X1 jack.
- The Result: There is plenty of clearance for the jack and a jack puck to make contact with the frame without hitting the running board.
- Service Note: Be aware that some Rivian service centers may note these are non-OEM parts, but they shouldn’t interfere with standard tire rotations at shops like America’s Tire.
Final Thoughts: Functional and Aesthetic
After a week of testing, the verdict is in: the family loves them. They make entry and exit much smoother, and they add a layer of “door ding” protection if you keep your ride height high.
Ready to upgrade your R1? Watch the full installation guide here!
Available for both Rivian R1T or R1S – https://evbase.biz/3Yxsaao Get 20% off when you use coupon code: sherwin.
