[cornfieldcars]

Has anyone here ever built their own running boards? I'm finding it hard to come across a good set and am considering trying to build a set. I can see this being a big job and just wondering if anyone has attempted this before. Thanks.

[poncho62]

What type of vehicle?

The best homemade ones I have seen are made from a piece of wood, all shaped and shellaced to match the car. This isn't going to look good in every case..................

My runnibg boards on my 51 Ford truck were really bad. I made aluminum step pads that covered a lot of the rust...Looks OK.

[keith1]

I made these running boards for a 40 Chevy. They are just a little longer so they could be trimmed to fit the car.

I used a pullmax, but they could be done easily using 2 2"X6"s as hammerforms. Make the lower board have the same profile as the running board and use the top board as a clamp. Hold the upper board down with visegrips or "c" clamps and use a wooden slapper to move the metal to shape.

If you need ribs then it is bead roller time.



Keith Daleen

[cornfieldcars]

Thanks for the replies. The idea of using wooden forms seems like a good idea. What guage of metal did you use on yours keith1?

[keith1]

I used 18 ga..

Keith Daleen
Sedalia, Mo.

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by cornfieldcars

Thanks for the replies. The idea of using wooden forms seems like a good idea. What guage of metal did you use on yours keith1?

Just wondering, is it a secret you don't want out what kind of car this is?

There are a zillion different ways you could "build running boards" depending on the car.

Brian

[cornfieldcars]

LOL...no it's not a big secret, it's a 48 Chevy pickup. Was just asking a general question. there is always different ways of doing things and was just curious as to who had attempted this in the past.

[cboy]

The running boards on my '32 pickup (see avitar or my journal) are hand made with 16g sheet metal - which I would highly recommend over 18g unless you intend to have lots of support on the under side. Even my 16g boards have a little warp to them after a year's worth of climbing in and out.

I've seen lots of trucks using Poncho's wooden board configuration with some very nice results. Your choice might depend on which material you feel more comfortable (or have the tools for) shaping, wood or steel.

Dewey