Telling the Difference Between a 3rd Gen OEM Side Step and That of a 4th Gen OEM Side Step

sadiekolsen · 2025-08-22T21:37:09+00:00

I don’t understand poverty buttons. One of the biggest reasons I went with the TRD Off-Road upgrade package was to avoid the sea of blank switches. Honestly, I don’t get why Toyota leaves them there if the feature isn’t included. Why tease us with the empty spots? Even with the off-road upgrade package, there are still empty buttons. It was actually one of the main reasons I upgraded trims in the first place. At the time, I didn’t even care what the buttons did, I just didn’t want to be taunted every day by reminders of what I could’ve had. I’m not even sure what features I’m missing out on. Now that I actually go off-road with the truck, I use the accessory wiring and axle lock, but somehow I still only have the one button on the main console. How much do you actually have to spend to not be reminded daily of what you missed? And what features am I even missing out on with this package?

Rico's4G

Member

Aug 16, 2025

One of the few mistakes some new owners do make, is not kmwoing how to differentiate a 3rd Gen OEM steps from that of a 4th Gen.

There isn't much of a difference but the little difference there is, makes the 3rd Gen steps not compatible with a 4th Gen Tacoma.

For 3rd Gen steps, the rail mounts horizontally to the ground. The steps for 24+ are angled to the rocker panel and the steps are mounted to the bottom rail with plastic side covers.

Shared a photo of both the 3rd Gen side steps and that of a 4th Gen so owners can be able to spot and tell the difference.