Short running boards

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Jan 14, 2010 | 09:44 PM

air5dad49

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Joined: Oct 2008

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From: Lee's Summit, MO

Short running boards

I am switching my '50 F2 to a flat bed. Looking for the shorter running boards that end at the back of the cab. I think I read somewhere that the ones from '48-'50 were slightly different than those for '51-'52. Can anyone clarify for me?

And if they are different, are they interchangeable? I have a line on some '52s but want to make sure they will work OK.

Thanks.

Jan 15, 2010 | 02:26 AM

BlueOvalRage

Cargo Master

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 2,571

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From: Oxford, Indiana

51panelman educated me on the differences this summer when I bought a set off of him. The '48-'50 boards are almost identical to the '51-'52 boards from the outside of the truck and are interchangeable. The difference is that the earlier boards have a horizontal flange that runs from the vertical portion of the board over to the frame parallel to the floor pan and attaches to the frame rail itself. If looked at from the end, it is roughly Z shaped. In '51, that horizontal extension to the frame rail was eliminated. Those boards are roughly L shaped when viewed from the end. Boards from a panel truck are the same and will fit correctly as well except that they have a small notch in them.

Jan 15, 2010 | 06:50 AM

bobj49f2

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Joined: Jan 2001

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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)

You can use any short boards from a F1 to F-6. As stated above the wide flange is the only difference between the '48-50 and the '51-52. You will also have to modify your frame brackets. The long boards have shorter brackets and the holes will not match the shorter boards mounting holes. If you can get the brackets from the truck you're getting the boards from you can either drill the rivets out of the frame or just cut the stock brackets and stub the new brackets on.

Jan 15, 2010 | 11:20 AM

air5dad49

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Joined: Oct 2008

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From: Lee's Summit, MO

Sounds good. Thanks for the input.

Jan 15, 2010 | 01:47 PM

51PanelMan

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Joined: Dec 2004

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From: San Jose, CA

Here are the brackets. Note the difference in length of about 1.5".

51-52 truck short running board. Note the absence of the extra flange at the top.

48-50 short truck running board. Note the extra flange at top. BOR owns this set now. Thanks BOR!

51-52 Panel truck short running boards. Note the absence of the extra flange and top and a square notch in the upper right-hand corner of the running board. Also, if I remember correctly, these boards were pulled from a 49 or a late 50 Panel.

It's likely that the deletion of the extra flange occurred sometime in the early to mid 50 truck production. The same applies to full size running boards.

I have a pair of truck and a pair of Panel short running boards available in case your deal falls through. I also have a set of the short running boards brackets for your application already removed from the frame. Let me know if I could help in your quest for parts.