Need a Settin' Straight on Running Boards for my 71 (1 Viewer)

[JohnBoy]

I'm dismantling my 71 40 which has a some later parts on it. Guess you can call it a Heinz 57 of sorts but I still love the thing. I just pulled the running boards off and there are deep cosmetic rust pits that I don't want to deal with. The major problem is that there's a fair amount of rot between the diamond plate and outer frame which I can't properly access to eradicate. I've sandblasted them and for what I plan to do, I owe it to this rig to replace them.

I've been looking online at some OEM running boards which differ from mine. On my boards, the box tubing on the bottom of the running board is slotted and has a floating adjustment bolt . The other examples I see online and from the various FJ companies don't have this. Ill I see on other examples is a threaded hole for the fastener which attaches to the support mount.

I'm new so I'm unsure what the deal is on this. Can anyone advise is mine is factory or maybe an old aftermarket. I just want to makes sure when I buy a set, they fit. I need a running board skoolin' please.

 

[Shark56]

Someone will set you straight...with that said, there were a couple variances on the running boards. I know a set of 79 boards I have are different than a set of 74 I have. If no one sets you straight before tomorrow I'll check the differences with pics.

 

[Michael B]

The slotted version you are describing is available through Toyota and City Racer. Im not sure which running board is correct for a 71'. I know the slotted version is correct for my 78'.

 

[Living in the Past]

The slotted version you are describing is available through Toyota and City Racer. Im not sure which running board is correct for a 71'. I know the slotted version is correct for my 78'.

That is interesting, 79+ running boards have a notch for the A pillar flange runs all the way to the bottom of the tube. I have a number of running boards without the notch and no slot just a thread hole for a bolt. These came off later seventies pre 79.

71 the running boards have a piece of diamond plate attached to the top of the running board. Later the diamond plate in stamped right into the running board.

 

[Michael B]

I think you’re right. I believe I was thinking about a set of 69’ running boards I have. My apologies gentlemen.

 

[JohnBoy]

Yea, my running boards have the welded diamond plate. Even after sandblasting, I determined that the pitting on the diamond plate was too extensive. No problem filling imperfections on body panels but I'm not liking what I'm seeing on these.

I do like the slotted provision for mounting the boards off the A pillar flange on my current running boards more than the new replacement boards I've been reviewing that has a single threaded mounting hole.

 

[Living in the Past]

Yea, my running boards have the welded diamond plate. Even after sandblasting, I determined that the pitting on the diamond plate was too extensive. No problem filling imperfections on body panels but I'm not liking what I'm seeing on these.

I do like the slotted provision for mounting the boards off the A pillar flange on my current running boards more than the new replacement boards I've been reviewing that has a single threaded mounting hole.

Personally not a fan of the slot style. The nut rusts on to the carriage bolt and when you tried to loosen it the square part of the carriage bolt distorted the slot in the running boards. Think next time I working with these will tried some anti sieze on the threads. On the slotted style grease all the exposed threads.

 

[JohnBoy]

Exactly!

 

[KTM96]

Did running boards come on the 67. I just bought one that's been done and redone an untold number of times. The boards are missing, but there are holes where some must have been. Looking for parts, I'm not finding them for a 67, only later years. Any knowledge would be appreciated.

 

[Living in the Past]

Did running boards come on the 67. I just bought one that's been done and redone an untold number of times. The boards are missing, but there are holes where some must have been. Looking for parts, I'm not finding them for a 67, only later years. Any knowledge would be appreciated.

Running boards came on all FJ40s. The 67 had vinyl pad with pyramid pattern. Metal ring around the perimeter.

 

[thebigredrocker]

Here are some threads on the earlier running boards with vinyl

Restoring early running boards

Early Running Boards

Running boards

1968 fj40 resto

 

[sproggy]

I just bought a pair from City Racer for my '71. They do not have the slot but have a threaded bolt hole in the support tube...at least the ones I bought. I think he offers a couple versions. Since my frame is slightly tweaked in that area, i'm about a 1/2 inch off in being able to fit a bolt into it so a slot might have helped. But really this is not a problem caused by the running boards which are great. It's my frame issue. And the warped body issue. And the warped mind of the owner. Anyway, unless I can figure some work around, it will be just another entry on the long list of empty bolt holes on my cruiser.