Running boards for my F350

admin

Decided to start on the running boards for my truck I asked about last week. The plan changed z bit in that I don't need 2 steps as I thought I would. I do need them to be down a bit lower that most of the comercial ones that I've found available. Since I need to modify them anyway and since it's more fun, I decided to build my own. Got a good start today with several unexpected problems. I started by buying myself a new tool, I picked up this pipe bender on sale at Northern Tool for $179.00. Bought some 1 1/2 aluminum pipe to make the boards out of thinking that I would put a 90° on each end of a pipe and weld them together to form the outside of the board. The first problem was the pipes cracked as soon as they started to bend. I've used these benders before on aluminum pipe with no problems, but this time this is what I got as soon as the pipe started to bend. I thought about trying to heat it, but my torch was at a friend's place. So I decided to used some of the left over scedual 80 pipe I had and splice in the scedual 40 for the long runs. To get a full 90° the boards would need to be too wide, so I decided to cut them down to get the width I wanted, but ended up with a point on the end. I cut 18" pieces and bent them to 90° then cut one end down to the size I wanted.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Started by welding the ends together. I just cleaned and v'd the ends a bit and tig'd them together.Then I cut the other side so they were even.Then cut and fitted the straight tubes.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:At that point I got into the build and forgot to take pics til after the first board was welded. I filled the center part with 3/8" square. I will grind down the welds and polish them to make it all smooth and bright when it's done. Here are some pics of the welds.Here is the first one done except for grinding and polishing, in the position it will be when mounted. I'm going to mount them to the frame using some 2" pipe. That is as far as I got this time, will try to finnish them next time I get home in 2 weeks.Last edited by welderj; 10-10-2014 at 09:54 PM.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Nice clean design
Reply:Very nice!!!
Reply:Nice job! Will look great mounted up!12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:Nice job  did you ever consider using aluminum bar grating for the tread surface?
Reply:Of course you say that now when it's too late. 😉 I considered both flattened and nonflattened expanded, but liked this better. I was going to twist the 3/8 bar, but my son talked me out of that.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:looks great, love seeing the creativity on this site!'14 HTP invertig 221Thermal Arc 201ts'15 HTP 2400'13 Hypertherm Powermax 30Esab 875Esab 251Clark Metal Servicespecializing in stainless steel exhaust systems
Reply:Good looking. One question - will the mounting points end up being below the frame? I tried to build steps for my F150 4X4 so the wife could get into it and ran into a problem at State Inspection time because their lift would not clear the step and reach the frame at the same time. Looks like you won't have that problem but just saying. May use your design for my next attempt. Take care. BurtHF DUAL MIG 171 w/ Multiple Mods.WSME-200 AC/DC TIG PULSE/MMACUT-50 PLASMA
Reply:Great looking running boards.
Reply:Got an extra day off so spent some more time on the running boards. Started by bolting a piece of 1/4" plate to the frame to hang the boards from.Then bent up a pair of 2" pipes for the mounts.Cut to length.Then tacked them to the plate. I put the board in position and clamped the pipes to it and tacked it to the plate.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Then notched the 2" pipes for the boards.Then weld them together.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Little more welding and another fit up.They sagged and moved around a bit when I stepped on them still so I added a plate to tie them together and to the plate better. They seem good now.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:The final pic. Ran out of time so next time I'll pull them off and grind and pollish them up.Think I might cut the mount tube ends at 45° so they are less noticable.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:I like them I really like that they go back to the front section of the bed - that's where I need a step for pretty much all pickups.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:They look good But ,  (theres always a butt) If some one with any beef on them, steps on the board by the rear bed  I think they will bend  down,  I am sorry but I think you would have been better off with to seperate mounting points per side ,closer to the ends. Just my thoughts.gxbxc
Reply:Very nice, looks great.  Do they flex downward much when you stand on them?
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveI like them I really like that they go back to the front section of the bed - that's where I need a step for pretty much all pickups.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeMy thoughts exactly Dave, and you're tall, imagine how I feel.
Reply:Originally Posted by gxbxcThey look good But ,  (theres always a butt) If some one with any beef on them, steps on the board by the rear bed  I think they will bend  down,  I am sorry but I think you would have been better off with to seperate mounting points per side ,closer to the ends. Just my thoughts.gxbxc
Reply:Originally Posted by ccsVery nice, looks great.  Do they flex downward much when you stand on them?
Reply:Thanks for all the nice responses, it was a fun job.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw