Step Plates
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 172
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From: Warren, NJ
Step Plates
Received my step plates from Mid Fifties yesterday. My running boards are painted same as truck. Is it a good idea to put a piece of rubber between them, Like tire tube thickness or just bolt them down?
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 93
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From: Daytona Beach, FL
I would not put rubber or any gasket between the steps and the running board as that will trap moisture and could cause rust. Mounting the steps will damage the paint no matter what you do but I would think that's why you have them.
There are ribs under the running board so when you align your step you may have to drill one or two mounting holes through the rib as well and obviously use a longer bolt.
I mounted mine with stainless bolts and locking nuts. The locking nuts let me make sure the steps were firmly attached but I didn't have to torque the bolts so tight that they deformed the running board metal underneath.
Good Luck
There are ribs under the running board so when you align your step you may have to drill one or two mounting holes through the rib as well and obviously use a longer bolt.
I mounted mine with stainless bolts and locking nuts. The locking nuts let me make sure the steps were firmly attached but I didn't have to torque the bolts so tight that they deformed the running board metal underneath.
Good Luck
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 70
From: Elk River, MN
Like Daytona F1 said, except if when you set the plate on the running board it might rock slightly unless the ribs are exactly the same height. My Dennis Carpenter running boards had ribs at several heights and the step plates rocked. If that is the case, use thin nylon washers to shim the low ribs. Washers are about 1/32" thick and are available at Homo Depo.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
I don't think it would hurt to put a thin rubber washer under eack mounting screw position. It would help even things up and also tend to seal up the screw hole to actually prevent them from rusting.
One other suggestion I would have is to use pan head stainless steel machine screws with washer, lock washer, and nut underneath if possible. Mine always tended to vibrate the sheet metal screws loose (and eventually enlarged teh hole where they wouldn't hold at all) - they will RATTLE out there and really annoy you if they aren't kept tight. So I changed them out and also did use a thin rubber washer between the plate and running board. Five years now and no more rattles or loose plates and no corrosion at all.
One other suggestion I would have is to use pan head stainless steel machine screws with washer, lock washer, and nut underneath if possible. Mine always tended to vibrate the sheet metal screws loose (and eventually enlarged teh hole where they wouldn't hold at all) - they will RATTLE out there and really annoy you if they aren't kept tight. So I changed them out and also did use a thin rubber washer between the plate and running board. Five years now and no more rattles or loose plates and no corrosion at all.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 73
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From: Lawrence,KS
Step plates
I know I bought some used running boards one time with step plates on them. When I took the plates off the boards were all rusted and corroded in underneath them. Luckily, I hadn't paid much for them. 
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 175
Likes: 4
From: Reno, NV
I'm a draftsman in the construction industry. We use a closed-cell foam high density tape gasket on connections from time to time to water/vibration seal aluminum and steel connections. I was thinking about placing some of that on the back side of the steps to help vibration and damage to the painted running boards. You can get it in various depths from just under 1/16" to a little over 1/4" and 1/2" to 24" wide. It would compress and create a nice water tight seal. (Just a theory I've had and haven't tried to do it yet. I'm not anywhere near close enough to that point yet. lol 
)
)
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
I realize this is a Ford Forum but for us Mercury owners its still our best outlet. So I here I go with more Mercury questions... Has anyone ever seen Mercury Step plates?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,781
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From: WEWAHITCHKA FL.
step plates
Try Vintagealloy.com think they got a Mercury plate
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 172
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From: Warren, NJ
Thats what i was thinking of maybe even something like the old electritions heavy friction tape on the raised portion of the running board. If the plate moved a little it would not compromise the paint.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
If you use the thin 1/16" rubber washers between, it creates an air space between the two and the water will not permiate up or stay in there wet. Let the air get up in there and circulate!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 692
Likes: 3
From: Gatesville, TX
I had the small step plates on my truck for about 2 years and then took them off and replaced them with my new ones. They were bolted on with SS bolts with lock nuts. You do have to be careful where you drill, in order to miss the stiffening ribs under the running board. I did not have have anything between them and the running board. There was not any corrosion under them when I took them off.
Here are the ones I took off. BTW, I will sell them for $30 + shipping if anyone is interested.
here are my new ones.
Here are the ones I took off. BTW, I will sell them for $30 + shipping if anyone is interested.
here are my new ones.