I need to mount running boards, aka cab steps, on a 2019 Crew Cab F-550 2WD that didn't come with them.

Let's see your steps.

And especially, let's see your step BRACKETS underneath the steps, and underneath the cab... where and how they mount, since different style steps may have different style brackets to support them.

I will not be able to install fancy automatic extending / retracting steps, as this truck will used by rough and random operators, so I am far more interested in seeing the brackets of simple, static steps.

Thanks in advance, and I hope an eventual collection of cab step photos accumulating in this thread will be of use to others in the future. (2017 and up only).

 

On the SDs there are three brackets, two at the front and one all the way back. They bolt vertically up to the underside of the cab, swing down and out 90 degrees,, flat under the running board. And F250/350/450/550 crew cab step will fit. 150 brackets can also be used to bolt up the board up tighter to the cab, which might be what you want for this application. I’d like to upgrade to Raptor steps that bolt up high, however the 150 steps only use 2 brackets at each end vs the SD that has the extra bracket under the drivers front foot. There are a couple other threads on this topic, but sorry, not a lot of picks for what your asking. They are simple to bolt up, 4 bolts to cab for each bracket, 4 to each bracket at the board? There are also aftermarket options that are cheaper. My old 2005 Crew I end d up change tube steps to boards up tight to the cab to protect the bottoms of the doors. If you find those threads they do have some goood options.

 

I just installed Havoc HST running boards. They are a Raptor style made out of tubing with a plate welded to the top. The bolts for the brackets are already under your cab. I used a die to clean up the threads. These steps are pretty heavy duty for your guys to step on. They can be had for around $500. I was unhappy with the crap hardware they supplied so I went to Home D and got some stainless hardware for another 40 bucks. Running Board wharehouse has them for $485. They also have a truy heavy duty expanded metal step from Luvern thats made of the same aluminum extrusion youll find on say a Peterbilt or Mack truck step.
Ill try and get a picture later but its Memorial day weekend.

 

Thanks Mike(s).

BTW, that's exactly what I was planning to do... I have a half dozen Peterbilt 389's in the yard, and another 4 KW's, so I know exactly the grip strut style step that you are talking about. Only I know that I will not be ordering anything from Peterbilt $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Besides, I want a single piece full length of grip strut, rather than approximate 30" sections that Paccar sells that fit over the battery box / dpf filter array.

I am familiar with how the 99-16 cab steps mount. In fact, I put Excursion steps on my 00 550, using all 5 hat channel L brackets, and all four bolt holes within each bracket (Ford only puts two bolts per bracket in production, so I ordered 20 more speed nuts and 20 more bolts from Ford.) I put another set of cab steps on the 03 550, that I took off the 00 550, and did the same doubling up on the bolts. All the other light trucks in the fleet came with cab steps.

The problem has been, every time I'm at the yard, I keep forgetting to look underneath the cab to see how the 2017's differ from the previous generation's cab step mounting method. Then when I'm at home, I have time to mentally wander on less pressing matters, and then oh yeah, I have to come up with some cab steps, because I am NOT doing tubes, and I am NOT doing plastic slippity slides.

Inspired by the GM / International's new 4500/5500/6500 chassis cab that I was strongly considering but that they never distributed in sufficient time before a state mandated deadline loomed, I decided I want the open mesh grip strut style mesh on the new crew truck. I will buy the stock material from a local metal supplier that specializes in vast variety of those types of products, but need some visuals on the various bracket designs out there for a more cohesive translation between a metal plank with holes in it, to a svelte looking new Ford crew cab.

Since so many aftermarket companies produce alternative cab step offerings, and since FTE harbors a community of enthusiasts who tend to be the tip of the spear of what is available on Ford trucks... this seemed like a great opportunity to ask for photos of what various bracket designs look like, so that I can reduce my fabrication time to just integrating those brackets with my grip strut, rather than reinventing the wheel.

 

Luverne makes a full length crew cab grip step and they look really good for this purposes. Google them and order for your truck model.

 

Yea Y2, the other Mike is referring to a set I was interested in. It is 100% exactly what your describing. They offer cab length or full wheel to wheel. Its one solid extrusion. They offer I think a 5" width and a 7". They have small plastic caps that cover both ends. I cant remember but Im thinking the cab length is about $700 a set. Go to Running Board Warehouse and look. There is another thread in here about running boards and a guy put up a picture of a long bed with these wheel to wheel. I almost bought them. Just a bit too commercial for my commuter, Lariat application.
As for the brackets. If you decided to make them yourself... Theres a beam of sorts thats structural to the cab, (rocker) under the doors from wheel well to the back of cab. My crew cab had at least 11 bolts mounted. The Havok boards came with 3 brackets. 2 under the front door and one towards the rear of the back door. 3 bolts per bracket. Plenty strong. The rocker has sort of a radius which the brackets mount flush against.. Might be hard to make by hand. This provides rigidity to the mount. For just over $500.00 I cant imagine its worth creating your own. Im sure you could buy the extruded expanded metal steps pretty inexpensively. The Luvern is aluminum. Not sure what the mounts are made of. As I was bolting it all together I was wondering about long term issues with steel mounted in direct contact with aluminium. The boards and brackets are powder coated. And the aluminium of the cab is green like that etching primer, wherever its not painted. But I will be looking for corrosion there. I may get some kind of vinyl or composite material and make pads to insulate each bracket. They supplied carriage bolts to assemble the brackets. With corresponding square cut outs. I think they said 8mm. But they looked like 1/4 20 ish. Total crap and way too small so they would spin inside the cut outs. I got 3/8 stainless carriage bolts from HD and used them. I dont know if the undersized bolts were a mistake or what. But they were crap.
By the way, the "Raptor style sit high and tight to the cab. Factory style sit lower. Depends what you want. Lower is easier entry but if your trucks are travelling in rough terrain they could be exposed. Or like in my case if you want a cleaner sort of invisible look the higher mounts blend out of sight.
The powder coat on the Havoks has a nice wrinkle finish. But I can see them getting Linexed in the next few years for real durability.
The Luverne has the open expanded metal which cant be beat wearing big mud crusted work boots.

 

These will be for sale in a week or so.

 

I am waiting for my second new set of chrome crew boards and would be willing to sell #3 set as I am thinking 150 raptor up tight to the bottom of the door. I need the clearance off road. Kids are big enough to get in without the lower boards.

 

Anyone know of a company who makes sliders for our trucks? Id just rip steps off my truck with the wheeling I do. I've found local company who can Fab me a nice set, but have pay extra for R&D vs a production set.

 

A photo at last! Thank you Ffphil.

Why are you selling the black running boards in that photo?

From my brief review of Craigslist today, that particular style was the type most often seen for sale as take offs.

What are the reasons why so many new owners get rid of these type of boards, and what are they replacing them with?

 

Look here https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post18413408

 

Spleeft, thanks for the link, which led me to read that thread where someone posted a link to eBay... and here I had plum forgot that eBay even existed.

While I have no intentions of buying a set off of eBay, the auction site provided plenty of photos of the 2017 up brackets that I needed to see to better understand the structure of how various boards are supported.

The 2017 up brackets attach to the cab on two vertical planes, rather than the single common vertical plane of the previous Super Duty cab style... and that was what I needed to see.


Much discussion on cab steps for the common Ford truck aluminum cab compares the higher F-150 running board step height that is closer to the cab threshold, versus the lower step height found in the Super Duty, where people are concerned that the cab steps are too low, intersecting with the breakover angle of the truck when off road.

This truck is to transport tools and equipment for a crew that makes roads... but I still would prefer the lower step in height for the Super Duty, as some of the workers are short, and the truck is 24 feet long and 17,000 lbs... it isn't headed to the Hammers.

I'm going to try and find some take off Super Duty running board brackets locally off craigslist or wherever, and then go from there.

Thanks for all the discussion, and I can't believe I entirely forgot about eBay to find photos.

 

Hey Y2, heres the paperwork that came with the Havok boards. It clearly shows the brackets. Theres 3 on the crew cab. Theres also a video of mounting on the Running Board whse site. As well as a video of installing the Luvern steps.
The Havoks are a Raptor style. High and tight to the cab. They are pipe but I wouldnt think they would be good as a rock slider. The brackets will be the first thing to grind and rip right out.

 

I didnt want the stock chrome because of reading that people were having peeling issues. And they hang pretty low. I like the look of the Raptor boards. Plus the only factory boards available to order on a Lariat were I think $750... Even with the $40 for SS hardware Im still under $550.

 

Thanks for the photo of the instructions... The last two photos on that instruction page were especially helpful.

On edit... Thank you also for the additional photos you posted of your own truck. I can see why you obtained your own carriage bolts for the step to bracket connection.

I'll have to see if my cab already has any captive hardware on the back side of the threshold for the bracket to body connection.