Thanks everyone for your help. And hope to hear from you soon, I'll probably be asking some more questions along the way of our project.

 

I just saw an absolutely brilliant repair of running boards on the HAMB: THE H.A.M.B. - View Single Post - Projects Mom's 49 Ford Truck Build

Like many builders on the HAMB, this guys has some serious body skills! Check out his work on the front end. Projects Mom's 49 Ford Truck Build - THE H.A.M.B.

Basically instead of trying to form the ribs, he cut out the entire ribbed area, put flat sheet down, then welded flat bar the same width as the ribs to that.

 

Thanks for sharing that! I might just use that idea when i do my running boards.

 

I went through the same pain with my F2 project. After reading around the forums I decided to convert mine into an F1....bed parts and running boards are much easier to find. 51Panelman set me up with an F1 frame before I started the cut and weld project on mine.

That being said, if you keep looking you'll find a good box and running boards...you may have already found them!

 

Considering your location, check out any offerings from the guys in Minot. There is a steady supply of larger old iron from there and northern Minn.