Removing Running Boards

[mdandashly]

I have been tossing around the idea of removing my running boards for a week or so. I don't really use them (6'3). How hard is the delete procedure? One of the things I worry about on a 20 yr old truck is removing things and causing damage due to the effects of time--brittleness, rust, etc.

Could you guys share pics of your 80s without the boards, and can you recommend any good rock rails? I likely won't install rock sliders, but am considering it.

 

[J94Cruiser]

I removed the boards on my 94. Took about 45 min. Couple of the bolts are in an odd place and I had to use a hand ratchet vs my air ratchet. It was easy.

 

[mdandashly]

I removed the boards on my 94. Took about 45 min. Couple of the bolts are in an odd place and I had to use a hand ratchet vs my air ratchet. It was easy.

Do you have before and after pictures? How many bolts, etc? Did the removal require anything that would keep me from putting them back on?

 

[half k cruiser]

All that is required is a 12mm or 13mm double box end wrench. The kind that has the funny bend in the end that lets you get it in weird places. Take a look under the truck, you will understand. My truck required a 13mm, but others claim they have 12mm bolts, pray that you have the 12mm, because the other wrench is useless after this one job. I think there are 4 bolts per side, remove them, remove the mud flap thingies, then put the bolts back in so you don't have rust issues. Look around on the forum, just about everybody has there running boards removed and there are hundreds of pictures.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

ITs not a tough process, I did it in about an hour. It was the first thing I did to my truck and im happy i did. At first I though "but they offer some protection"...except they are attached to the BODY not the frame, so its like a lever waiting to tear something apart.

 

[mdandashly]

I'll have to give it a thorough look over this weekend. I was worried it would look awkward with the fender flares.

 

[Mr Cimarron]

Have done it on the 80 and LX. Pretty easy. So far they are the only rusty bolts I have encountered on both trucks. If your lucky like I was on two bolts they will just break in half making removal easy.

 

[half k cruiser]

I was worried it would look awkward with the fender flares.

It looks %^$%^%$ sweet, do it !

 

[Razor One]

I just did it about a week ago. Your rig will probably drop 40-45 lbs. They're heavy. Once you remove them, you'll notice an area or two that "stick out" where they would typically connect to the flares. I took a dremel to it and it looks fantastic. Would not go back.

Before

After

The Parts

Also.... Hello MUD members.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

I left my rubber dealies on in the back (thats the technical word for them right?) and the tabs. They don't bother me. I think it looks 100x better with them off

Before (you can see the damage i did to them right away)

After

Here is what my rock sliders from rocky road look like

 

[LFD2037]

Did mine today. All 13mm. A ratchet wrench is your friend on this project! Now I need to decide what to do w/the front cap piece that protrudes down in front past the flare & body.

 

[half k cruiser]

That sage color is so sweet looking. Maybe I will upgrade the wife to a 40th one of these days.

 

[Biggreener]

I've been kicking this around for a bit too; now that you've brought it back around again I might just go make it happen...

 

[Brentbba]

You can pick up a used set of front mud flaps if you want something to protect your rocker panels. I had to trim the inside of those as well as the curved section of the rear black thing to fit around my Hanna sliders.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

You can pick up a used set of front mud flaps if you want something to protect your rocker panels. I had to trim the inside of those as well as the curved section of the rear black thing to fit around my Hanna sliders.

Yeah, they interfere with my sliders as well, and i thought I would do something about it...then didn't. Oh well.

 

[Comet]

Next, after the running boards are gone, you'll realize you don't need those pesky flares.

...via IH8MUD app

 

[LFD2037]

My flares would be gone but since I have an LX that means a LOT more holes!!!!

 

[084runnerltd]

Before:

After:

After Lift:

...via IH8MUD app

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

Next, after the running boards are gone, you'll realize you don't need those pesky flares. View attachment 888320View attachment 888322


...via IH8MUD app

Man, I want to deflare, but i'de rather have flares with some scratches than a whole bunch of holes and im not doing a respray, or bedliner....still trying to come up with another solution.

 

[Comet]

My next dilemma/big decision regarding the holes. I agree. They look bad but the flares look better in my garage than on the truck.


...via IH8MUD app