My XLT has the permanent fixed Ford running boards.
One lesson ( a "good" lesson haha) I learned with these running boards -- they actually protected my aluminum truck body without any damage to the running board.
HOW: I was rounding a 90 degree turn into an airport cell phone lot a year+ ago. It was dusk, the worst time for edge visibility. The parking lot entrance on this large parking area, subdivided into two sections, was a row of the heavy, moveable waist-high concrete safety dividers with a gap for entry into that side of the lot.
I cut it a bit too close, going slowly, and I felt and heard the right side of the truck scrape and rub against the edge of the final concrete divider. Of course I thought (and said haha) "#$%^&*!@ oh You idiot!"
I got out expecting a horizontal gouge or even a rip across the right side aluminum doors.
To my amazement, the running board edge had completely protected my nice azure gray tricoat truck body. The running board had literally moved the concrete divider about 10 inches over, making it pivot over to the side on its free end edge. All that was on the truck was a slight rub trace on the running board's outer edge for about a foot+.
I am really impressed by the strength of the solid-bolted Ford running boards.
I also have a 23 SR Pro, when it's not in the shop as it's been since April 1, waiting for a high voltage cable. I bought a set of running boards on Amazon for less than $200 which bolted perfectly into the existing holes and has had no effect on the range.