I finally got around to changing out my original running boards for a set of King Ranch running boards. I really just wanted lighted running boards, but the diamond plate looks pretty good I think.

The pups are my Akita and my g/f's Blue Heeler, regulars in the back seat.

 

Nice looking truck, i thought it was completely stock on the outside, but i like it!

 

Good looking truck is the diamond plate stock on the king ranch models or something you added. I think all the king ranch trucks I have seen have the tube style steps which is what I want to replace mine with.

 

Looks nice. I've got tan KR boards. Where did you find black KR boards? Never seen that.

 

Sharp looking truck I like the blackout thing you got going on. How about a close up of those KR running boards they look good from the picture.

 

Thanks! That's kinda what I was going for... the "isn't that how it came?" look

There are also Xenon brand fender flares, and UnderCover tonneau cover, and the black/chrome look wheels are actually OEM wheels that I had powdercoated.

Honestly I always thought that tube steps are NOT OEM... but I'm probably wrong. The diamond plate is standard on these boards, not something I added.


Ford never made KR boards in black. I completely disassemled them, and the used Dupli-Color's Truck Bed Coating (aerosol can) to make them black. I needed 2 cans ($7.50ea) since I did the underside too so when you're working under the truck, it's black there too. The finish is VERY similar the to OEM running boards, which is what I wanted.

For prep, since the surface is already textured, I just wen to the DIY car wash down the street and spray washed & scrubbed them there. I wanted the high pressure water to really blast them clean.

I haven't hooked up the lights yet, but if you try this mod, you have to take the wiring for the lights off and reverse them. The connectors on my 99 were on the back of the front fenderwell, but the board's connector was at the back end. Plus it's a cut & splice with the wiring since both ends have female connectors....

Overall time was maybe 2.5 hrs, assuming you have all the parts. For those interested, here's what I used:

Dupli-Color Truck Bed Spray Coating x 2 (WalMart)
10mm deep socket (1/4" drive)
8mm socket (1/4" drive)
7/16 deep socket (1/4" drive)
1/4" to 3/8" drive adapter
1/2" socket (1/2" drive)
several flat blade screwdrivers

I have a cordless impact wrench which made removing the bolts holding the boards to the body very easy. Doing it by hand (which I did a few that way) was tough but a standard length 1/2" drive ratchet wrench was enough. Keep in mind though that this is a Colorado truck, so rust is minimal. Any East Coasters won't have as easy a time.

Be careful removing the lights in the boards too. The tabs are sturdy but I still broke 2. What helped was warming up the area for a few minutes beforehand. I put it over a vent in the house but a hair dryer would worked too probably.

Overall is a very easy change, just time consuming. OH YEAH... that spray coating STINKS so don't spray or dry inside the house...OOPS. The can of spray needs to be WARM - directions say between 68* - 92*...well, it's winter here in CO and about 10* outside in the morning. I kept the can inside, warmed it up right before going out, and shook it till my arm hurt to mix it. If it gets cold it won't spray out smoothly and you'll get an uneven finish.

I'm sure this is more than anyone wanted to know, but I'm kinda proud of how it turned out. Now to get **** about the wiring....

 

What did it cost to have the wheels powdercoated and how well are they holding up?

 

Powdercoating done right will hold up quite well, though it's still basically a paint process. I paid $240 if I remember correctly... but that wasn't for a thorough job.


If you live in northern Colorado I can tell you where NOT to go:

Ultimate Coatings on S. Link Lane in Fort Collins!! HORRID!!

It turns out that they didn't prep the wheels right! The needed to be sand-blasted down to bare metal; they used a wirewheel. Then, when tightening my lugs down, the finish chipped like crazy!! So I call them up... and after several tries, I finally get (i assume) the owner and he wasn't even apologetic! Just "oh, yeah, well you didn't pay for sandblasting".... OK. True. But I'm not the expert! I asked what was needed to do it right and they never mentioned it. So he eventually worked out with me to get the wheels redone but the hassle involved and lack of willingness to work with me put a foul taste in my mouth for that shop.

I will go back to that shop and have them "fix" it (dismount my tires, they prep them right & re-coat, then remount...) but they will not get any new business from me.

 

Thanks when I run this set of tires down I want to change the look. I was thinking of going to 19.5's but I don't know if I will have the $$ just looking at alternatives

 

I was looking at 18" and 20" wheels, and found a SMOKING deal on a set of 20's for $450!!! Then I found that tires would cost $325+ EACH!!! $2000 in tires???? Are you kidding me??? Not for me. Say $300 for the powdercoating (done right!), my tires cost me $600... mounted, balanced, road hazard, everything.

I might go up to 17's if I can find the right set of 05 OEM wheels. Nitto Terra Grapplers in 265/70-17 can be had for just under $700 (put a set on my g/f's truck) and they grip nice.

 

Well I have a dually and if I move up to 19.5's (from Rickersons)I can get higher load range tires and will probably get a good bit more mileage out of them.

 

I like these boards better - they go the full length of the cab. The stockers were just a bit short




Here's a view of the front portion & one of my wheels:




Here's the back end:




I debated about getting the diamondplate powdercoated black, but I'll leave it alone for now. By the end of summer I'll have to decided; the clearcoat finish is starting to come off so I'll have to do something.

 

I wouldn't powder-coat the diamond plate black when it gets scratched from use the silver would show.

 

good point! I'll do more research on this, but I know that they can do multiple layers of the coating. i.e. 2 layers of black, 2 layers of clear... but all that would be so thick that the diamonds would be covered.... hmmmm

 

I would think about stripping the clear and polishing them once in awhile.You got her looking good.