Custom made running boards

[DZLFREK]

All of us have some type of profession that we consider ourselves "expert". Machine work isn't mine. For those of you that are in "the know", do you think that it would be more cost efficient to have a set of running boards made versus buying a set like tough country. Tough country wants around $1000 for their dually setup. Just seems like a ton of money for something that I'm going to have line-x'd anyway (rust inhibit).



Come on you metal working guys and gals... . need some advice. Thanks!

 

[Coalsmoke]

From myself, past owner of a fab shop, you can trust me when I tell you it will not be cheaper to pay someone to make them for you vs buying from a dedicated producer like tough country. Now if you could build them yourself and had an industrial account for the supplies and materials like myself and paid yourself no wage for building them, just a hobby job in the shop after hours, then you'd be able to make them for about 50% of new price. You wouldn't believe the number of times people would come to me with a project that they paid the cheapest bidder to build for them so they could save a few hundred only to have it not what they wanted in the end. At the end of it all, the first bill from the un-professional lowest bidder cost them 60-70% of the off the shelf price, and then my bill would be about another 50% to fix the shoddy workmanship and give the person what they wanted in the first place. More often then not, they paid more in the end for the product than if they bought it from the dedicated producer.

 

[KIKER]

I bought some running boards for my quad cab dually from this manufacturer here in Odessa, Tx:
http://www.workhorsetx.com/
Their website isn't too informative, but they might be able to send you a brochure. I think I paid $500 and installed them myself. They go wheel to wheel, and flare out to provide a step up in front of the duals. My brother liked them well enough to get a set for his new GMC dually.

 

[DZLFREK]

Kiker,



Thanks for the link. I called them (yes, the web page tells you nothing) and they are going to e-mail some pictures. They quoted me $500. Did you weld the boards on or bolt them through the frame?



Thanks again!

 

[KIKER]

I welded them on, but don't tell anyone. I disconnected the batteries on my truck, first. When I get time, I'm going to do it over, raising them closer to the body and in, closer to the frame. The normal procedure for the shop is to weld them. They said the frame would pinch in, if bolted thru both frame walls.

 

[RMarkey]

Not sure what you're looking for, but I built my nerf side steps, although haven't finished them or installed them, for under a hundred bucks, before finish. I used one stright tube for the main portion(fender protection from little car running up under there) and some smaller tube bent to form the steps.

I basically made the n'fab steps, if you've seen them. I haven't finished the brackets to attatch them because I haven't had time and can't decide where I want them exactly and haven't decided whether to powdercoat them of rhino them.

So if you buy them, it will at least be quicker because you don't have those decisions to wait for!