Running Boards with Tork-Lift Tie-Downs?

[dresslered]

Has anyone installed Running Boards or Nerf Bars with the Tork-Lift Camper tie-downs? My wife has been after me for some time to add some running boards, but it seems that every brand I look at, either the chain or the Tork-lift assembly, interferes in some way or another. I've been thinking of the J&J Enterprises

Millennium Boards (http://www.j-jent.com/rbmilclatop.html) but am suspicious of the same kind of interference issues.

 

[smartineau]

I was at Tork lift today, and tommorrow they are installing my super hitch and tie downs. We talked about nerf bars and running boards. my should arrive any day (westins only cab length). But for your front tie downs you need to either:



cut a hole in you running boards if they go all the way back to the rear wheels.



or you need to get spacers (they mentioned washers) so that you can angle them downward somehow and thus clear your nerf bars or running boards.



good luck give them a call they can surely explain it better than I can.



steve

 

[dresslered]

Thanks Steve-

I have the earlier Tork-Lifts which actually have an adjustable angle (notice the pin in the picture). I have heard that the newer ones don't allow for this adjustment, and thus you would have to use spacers, etc.



What I have found is that not only do you have the chain clearance problem, but often times the mounting brackets of the running boards want to utilize the same location of the frame as the Tork-lifts use.



I have previously talked with Tork-lift and they really didn't have a set solution for any particular running board. Also, not many shops carry my particular application in stock so I can't really size up what would really have to be done without actually ordering them. I just figured that somebody over here may have already figured out something. I'll be interested to hear about your westins when you get them mounted.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Utopia?

Who says you can't have it all David? Go for it and when you find the ultimate solution, I'll then be talking to Torqlift too! In the meantime, I'll console myself with the WAAGs.

 

[wcjp]

Go with nerf bars. No interference with my Torklift tiedowns.

 

[dresslered]

John, I was waiting for you to chime in.



wcjp, what nerf bars do you have? Pictures? I had originally wanted to get the Waag's as Mr. McIntyre has done, but upon comparing pictures, it looked like an impossibility. Please tell me differently.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Too good to be true?

Originally posted by wcjp

Go with nerf bars. No interference with my Torklift tiedowns.

It's encouraging to hear that someone, somewhere had the wisdom and commercial aptitude to recognise this fundamental incompatibility between camper tie downs and nerf bars AND do something about it. I too would appreciate some revealing pictures... . showing how the two co-exist without compromise!



Cheers



JMc

 

[wcjp]

I have a 25sec video I just shot. Whoever shoots me an email I'll be happy to send it their way. It does require the latest version of free Real Player.



I think a PM won't work. I need the actual email address.



-- email address removed --



I honestly didn't think this was that big of deal. Perhaps we're talking about different vehicles. I do have something that nobody else has. My rear bumper is quick disconnect. With a friends help I also fabricated extension bars that act as a step for my older slidein camper. The bumper is not on the video.

 

[R D Brown]

I have the DeeZee running boards, which were on the truck when I had the torklift front tie down installed. Don't know what they did to make them fit but no clearance problems.



RD Brown

 

[JWhitcomb]

Go ahead and get some running boards and I will put a hole in them for the chain to reach through.

 

[dresslered]

Thanks Bill for the exceptional video and great lookin' dog! I'm a true believer that they will fit now. The last image was fairly dark, but it looks like they are the Smittybilts? Thanks again.



Also, thanks to RD Brown for the word on the DeeZees. I have been unable to find these locally.



Jim, you're just dying to use that sawsall aren't you.

 

[wcjp]

Yep, they're Smittybuilts. John, your video is on the way.



The dog's name is Wrangler. Named after my Jeep.

 

[bighammer]

I wonder about a nerf bar with a D-ring or similar tie-down point attached to it. (replace the torque lift thingy)

 

[dresslered]

Wow. I had forgotten about this thread but have not resolved my nerf bar/running board delema. Too many other toys jumped in on the priority list. I will have to restart my searches again. As far as directly mounting to the running board and or nerf bar idea, you would have to have a VERY sturdy accessory which is soley attached to the frame to match the Tork-Lift 'thingy'.

 

[dieselshu]

Tork lift and nerf bars

Here is my truck with Mopar Nerf bars, I dont see any need to have bars extend to the rear wheel wells. You cant see the front tork lift tiedown reciever but its there, the rears are mounted to the superhitch.

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Dave

 

[dresslered]

Great picture Dave. If I recall, the Mopar Nerf bars attach to the cab. How many holes did you need to drill? Also, are those the aluminum or steel Nerf Bars? Part Number? Thanks,



David

 

[dieselshu]

Nerf bars

Dave, Have to drill out the bolt hole in the lower lip of the rocker panel behind the front wheels and then you have to drill 5 more holes, 4 for the center support brackets and one for the rear. The bars are steel, Part number 82203927 but because of where I live I am having them arma coated to protected them from salt.







Dave

 

[dresslered]

Thanks Dave. I was thinking of powder coating them to match my bumper.

 

[ATClark]

I installed Tork Lift Frame Mounted Camper tie Downs on my '01 3500 with running boards that extend to the rear wheel flares. I ordered the ones designed for runnning boards. They installed with little effort, just needed to drill one hole for each of the front hold downs in the bed cross member. Kit comes with a wire device (bolt fisher) to install the 'blind' bolt. The instructions come with several pictures which makes the installation relatively obvious.



The hold downs are adjustable so you can install them as low as necessary to clear the running boards.



Simply go to www.torklift.com, find the model number of the hold downs for your truck with running boards, then find the nearest dealer (also on the webpage), call the dealer and put in the order. Surprise the dealer by knowing exactly the model number needed for your truck (and to make sure you get what you need). I also ordered the rear hold downs, but did not order the spring mounts for the front hold downs.



The front and rear hold downs come with 'recievers' that allow you to easily remove the 'visible' part such that when you remove your camper, so you don't have to still see the 'tie downs'.



They are of good quality, (and the price reflects it). They are holding my 9. 5 ft Lance camper down nicely, should do the same for your larger Bigfoot.

 

[MUDDY]

tork lift brackets designed for the runninin boards workin well with the mopar runnin boards. hangin a little low to do any rock crawlin tho

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