Finally got my running boards done!

[SRadke]

I couldn't find a set of running boards that I like in my price range so I just decided to make some. I used 3/16" wall 2" tube and 16ga diamond plate for the step surface. Brackets are bolted back to the frame using 3" channel and 3/8" alloy plate. Wrap it all up in a metalflake silver powdercoat and walla! Whatcha think?



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There are more pics in my gallery if you're interested.



-Scott

 

[lmills]

Hey they look pretty nice!

 

[y-knot]

I like them!! Most of the time when someone writes that they made something themselves, I prepare for the worst. Your boards look very nice... . Good job.

 

[Jengle]

Those look great! Sure wish I had the tools and skills to make something like that. I too, am having trouble finding suitable boards for my 04. Still searching...

 

[rmcnamee]

Very nice job. I'm planning on making running boards just like those, although I'm probably gonna use 3" tubing. How did you mate the aluminum diamond plate to the steel tubing? Or is it aluminum tubing? Again, great job on those!



Ryan

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

SRadke they look great.



I have been looking for running boards that do not extend outward beyond the outer edge of the tires. Most running boards I see stick out too far. Yours look just right at least in the picture. I guess "perfect" for me would be ones extending out even with the plane of the tires.



Vaughn

 

[barbwire]

VERRRYY Nice!!!

Can I put my order in now??

You definitely have talent!

 

[CSilkowski]

Running boards

Looks great!



When are you going to start selling them?

 

[bighammer]

NICE WORK! Looks very

 

[SRadke]

Well thanks for all the great compliments. They've ojly been on for half a day but I think I'll be really happy with them.



Rmcnamee, there is no aluminum, all steel. The diamond plate is called "floor plate" and is available from any steel distributor. I had to pay a little extra to get it in a 4x10 sheet instead of 4x8 and I had them shear off the 8" width and bend up the 2" lip so all I had to do was bend the pipe and weld it to it.



Vaughn, you said it exacly right. "Even with the plane of the tires. " That is exactly what I wanted and as it turned out this is also close to even with the widest point of the body metal and still leaves a solid 6" step surface to step on when the doors are open.



As for orders, I'll think about it. I got close to 30 hours in these but I must admit a big chunk of that was figureing out a stout no drill attachment to the frame. My goal was not only running boards but protection and a strong enough point on the side of the truck to lift from if need be. I feel I have accomplished all of these. Thanks for the kind words.



-Scott

 

[bighammer]

I might look into getting the materials and trying something like that myself. I did find a source for weld-on elbows so the pipe bends will be smooth and round. I'm guessing the step plate wasn't too $pendy, and the pipe should be pretty cheap.

 

[SRadke]

I bought way more material than I needed for just this one job but total material cost was $250. I've actually got enough left to make 2 more sets. Keep in mind when you buy 20 ft of channel iron for bracket material you likely aren't going to use it all.



I used a hydraulic conduit bender to make the curves to avoid the cut and splice. It did flatten the pipe a little but not so much that it looks bad as you can see in the picture. The plate was about $40 I think plus $50 to have them do the sharing and breaking. Once again, I only used 16" off the side of a 4' wide sheet.



If you have a facility to do a little welding I say go for it. I knoced out the boards themselves in about 3 hours it was mounting that took all the time.



-Scott

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Originally posted by SRadke

Vaughn, you said it exacly right. "Even with the plane of the tires. " That is exactly what I wanted and as it turned out this is also close to even with the widest point of the body metal and still leaves a solid 6" step surface to step on when the doors are open.

Man I like it when people think like I do

Your last comment was very helpful too 'cause I've always felt there would still be enough stepping space left and it's nice to have that confirmed



Vaughn