Running Boards?
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Victoria, BC, Canada
Running Boards?
What do you guys use for your trucks? My F450's rocker panels are beat pretty bad, and my ol' lady is pretty short, so I figure running boards will help. I'm going to paint the rockers first, but after that I'm at a loss for the best bet in running boards. All I know is that I want the flat ones as opposed to the tubular style steps for better gravel protection. I'm sure you guys and gals have had experiences with the good bad and otherwise out there.
I appreciate your input in advance, and any links you can provide would be awesome.
I appreciate your input in advance, and any links you can provide would be awesome.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
There's not much good available in flat boards. Loverne was supposed to have custom fitted brackets, but Westin, Cord, Lund, ect used a lot of drill in mounts. I never liked installing them, and the painted ones never did anything pleasing for me either.
I'd stick with Cord or Westin, or try talking to someone who's installed Lovernes.
I'd stick with Cord or Westin, or try talking to someone who's installed Lovernes.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Deforest
Ive got chrome "Nerf" bars on my superduty, and I dont like them. In the winter, the back mounting brackets catch snow, ice and road salt. The stuff
freezes, and gets packed up under my back doors, and under the back of the cab. The bottom of my back doors are rusting where all the crap gets caught. I put mud flaps in the front, and hung them 3 inches off the ground that helped some. In the summer its not so bad, you can wash them more often. But when its 20 below here in Wi, it doesnt do much good to wash them.
freezes, and gets packed up under my back doors, and under the back of the cab. The bottom of my back doors are rusting where all the crap gets caught. I put mud flaps in the front, and hung them 3 inches off the ground that helped some. In the summer its not so bad, you can wash them more often. But when its 20 below here in Wi, it doesnt do much good to wash them.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Flagstaff, AZ
I had the tube nerf bars on mine for years but just swapped out with the flat chrome factory ones. I like having the flat surface all the way across, plus the factory ones come down an inch or 2 lower so getting in/out is easier for me and the wife. Some guys don't like them because it does lower your ground clearance, but it's not an issue for me. They are very expensive from the factory, over $500 but if you look at craigslist, ebay or even the classifieds here (thats where I got mine) you should be able to find them for a lot cheaper.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Aurora, IL
I use the wide Carr hoop steps. I bought them mainly so my wife could get in the truck easily. They're not nerf bars or boards, but they are way cheaper. I bought them because I am on a budget. They look pretty good and work fine. But, they offer no protection for the rocker panel like a good running board does.
They were $78 on ebay, shipping included.
They were $78 on ebay, shipping included.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Victoria, BC, Canada
I think I'm going to settle on these ones, assuming Lund is decent quality stuff. I work in a performance tuning shop, but truck parts are all new to me. I can deal with any installation concerns, I just want to know they'll last. Any comments?
AZ Truck Accessories | Lund International Rugged Series Running Boards
AZ Truck Accessories | Lund International Rugged Series Running Boards
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Flagstaff, AZ
I don't have any personal experience but I think Lund makes a pretty good product. Installation on most running boards/nerf bars is pretty easy, most of them bolt right up to existing holes in the pinch weld.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
I got a set of factory take-offs (the standard black ones) from E-bay. $149.00 or so plus shipped. You might want to look around there, or Craig's list. You never can tell.
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