I tried a search, and couldn't find anything helpful. The box, running boards, and rear fenders are now
painted, and I'll be putting them back on next weekend after I pick them up. I have a general idea of where
the step plates go, but I was hoping someone could give me a an idea of how far they are supposed to be
mounted from the front or rear fender, as my boards are aftermarket, and there's no holes for the plates.

Bruce

 

You can put the step plates anywhere you want. There are no holes predrilled in any running board as they are not stock.

I personally do not like them and I can't see why anyone would want to drill four holes in a good running board?

 

Hi Abe,

I've drilled more holes in this truck where they don't belong that I can count already,
I guess that puts me firmly on the darkside.....At any rate, I'm looking to protect the paint on the boards as much as I can, and a little bling never hurts.......

Most of them I've seen seem to be somewhere in the middle of the door. I was just looking for an idea of where most folks have them, and then do a little testing on my own to find the right spot.

 

No need to drill holes when structural adhesive will do the job.

 

40 some years ago, a local company, So Cal Pickups & Panels (now out of business) here in the L/A area, made the step plates up, they were never genuine Ford.

I'm with Abe, I never cared for them, either.

 

Look where you put your foot when you enter the truck.

 

Everyone has an opinion and I'm no different than anyone else and think they are ugly. What I used were Smart strips on my panel to protect the paint. They are rather pricey but think they look much better..

Accent Trim for your classic, custom or hot rod | Smart Parts

 

I never cared for them myself, in fact all the ones I had I ended up selling to someone else. If you really want some "bling" then do something different...find some stainless steel strips and mount them on top of the running boards ridges. They don't have to be fancy, just clean and well-made. A sheetmetal shop should be able to shear some up for you.

 

Here's the best picture I can find at the moment of the strips on my running boards..

 

How many of us really step on the running boards to get in our F100's? Especially if you have them lowered a bit.

I seen pics of trucks that have them at the wide part of the running boards in front of the rear fender where you step to get stuff out of the bed.

The running boards are easy to paint. I recently painted the short boards on 55 F350 without taking them off.

 

I don't step on them to get in myself but my wife does..and I sit fairly low but it's still rather high step to the floor of the truck.

 

+1

Hop in the truck and back out, see where you put your foot down. Some dirt or sand on the running board will leave a foot print for you (Dirt or sand on a truck!? Say it isn't so! lol...)

If you like them don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. Everyone's got an opinion, that's why everyone's truck is different.




These I think can be a real solution for me, or at least the idea of them. I have to use my running boards (they're a foot and half up, let alone the cab!) and even when they are dry I've come close to eating it more than once since they have no sideways traction. These trim pieces with some notches in them might be what I've been looking for.

 

Best stuff for running boards. We need to stay safe.
Anti-Slip Grit Tape

 

F1's or F100's? Not sure but they are definitely needed on a stock F2 or F250 and up by me (a height challenged individual) as well as the wife. I painted my running boards using bed liner paint (on both sides) so they can be stepped on without damage. No worries now.

 

Oh, I need them for my 55 F350 too, but it is not getting step plates. Like I said the boards are easy to paint even while on the truck.

Matter of fact my 55 F350 is higher than my former 70 F350, which did not have running boards.