Restoring early running boards (1 Viewer)

[jvincig01]

I picked up a set of early running boards that I plan on restoring. They need a ton of work as the passenger side is pretty beat up and the bottom channels on both are gnarly (The board pictured is the better of the two). The sides of both are really wavy and dented up. I am going to do my best at shaping the metal again but this isn't my forte.

I was racking my pea sized brain on how I can restore these boards. I think I have an idea but it might be challenging.

Let me know if anyone has a better way to approach to fixing these.

1st - My plan is to take the new running boards apart and then have them media blasted.
2nd - Start working out the dents and bends on the top ring pieces. This is the piece that holds the rubber floor material in place.
3rd - I will then take my existing floor boards and remove the top diamond plated cap by cutting the welds off that hold it in place.
4. Once I have the top rings from my new boards off, and the bottom piece from my old boards cleaned up, I can then combine those two pieces.

Here are some pictures. The new driver side board I am holding is in MUCH better shape then the passenger side. That one is all jacked up. Of course I will include the appropriate rubber when I put them together.

 

[JohnnyC]

Why don’t you buy the original white diamond pattern rubber for the inside... there is an identical match to it still

 

[JohnnyC]

Link: White Vinyl Diamond Plate Side Step Pad

 

[oregon fj]

Why don’t you buy the original white diamond pattern rubber for the inside... there is an identical match to it still

That’s what I’ll do if I ever find a pair for my ‘64.

 

[jvincig01]

Why don’t you buy the original white diamond pattern rubber for the inside... there is an identical match to it still

That's exactly what I will use. I guess i'm trying to figure out if it makes sense to remove the diamond cap and use that base. I will then use the top rings of the new ones with that base. I will definitely buy the white rubber for the middle.

 

[kevos37]

Show both of your new boards when you have them disassembled.

 

[thebigredrocker]

JAD’s turned out nice

RUNNING BOARDS TIME!!
I serch and found here in the mud , the place to get the closest one, Thanks to all!!!
Pyramid Vinyl Matting - Canal Rubber Supply Company
I buy it time ago, now the question :
it goes lined pryramids or rotate ??
I put it like is moor save way because it came like this Rotate........
second question:
what do you think , painted scews or zinc plated???

thanks!
View attachment 623108View attachment 623109View attachment 623110

running boards or side steps
finist!!!!!
I rotate the patern of the pyramid vilyl , has the OEM!~!
screws and thin washers!!!
paint and no buff!!
View attachment 625938View attachment 625939View attachment 625940

 

[jvincig01]

Thanks guys. I took the top ring cap things off and are working on straightening them out. The passenger side must have hit a rock at one time so they need a little TLC. As for the bases, I am Not going to use those as the bottoms channels are all stripped and twisted up. Basically too much repair work for someone like me with no welding experience or fabricating experience. I plan to find a nice set of the ones I have now, remove top diamond plating, and just use those bases. I will def go with the rubber diamond stuff I have seen on other threads.

Here are some pics, ignore the diamond playing as that will be gone. I wanted to see if the cap piece fit ok.

This is the decent one. The other is jacked up.

Yay, it will work!

This one needs to be reformed. I’m sure my OCD will love me for this project.

 

[kevos37]

Let's see a picture of the jacked up one .

 

[jvincig01]

Let's see a picture of the jacked up one .

It’s hidious... borderl

Let's see a picture of the jacked up one .

Here is the one that is pretty messed up. I think this is too difficult for me to repair as its pretty twisted.

 

[jvincig01]

Major score yesterday! When I bought my rig 9 years ago, the PO threw a bunch of parts in the back and sent it on its way. The rig went straight to my father in-laws house first when we started working on it. Fast forward...

I called my father in-law last night and we were talking about the cruiser and my running board project. He asked me why i don't use the one he has in his shop....the one that came with my own rig that was buried in his garage. I barely remembered this running board and can't believe it was just under a bunch of other random car parts. Needless to say I was shocked. I just need one that is equally nice for the passenger side now!

 

[kevos37]

Glad to hear the good news!

If you can't locate another running board , mail that booger'd one up to me to straighten out for you.

Kevin

 

[jvincig01]

Glad to hear the good news!

If you can't locate another running board , mail that booger'd one up to me to straighten out for you.

Kevin

Kevin,

I have been following your build thread. Your fabrication skills and attention to detail are insane! I am going to poke around for a few more days and see if I can locate one. Finding a decent running board is hard to find! I will be in touch shortly if I cant get my hands on a good one!

Thanks!!
Josh

 

[Redgrrr]

Have you decided on a screw or fastner type to bolt the top retainer strip down?

I have a set of these runningboards I thought about redoing and have always wondered what the stock fastener is. The current ones are brass.

 

[jvincig01]

Why don’t you buy the original white diamond pattern rubber for the inside... there is an identical match to it still

I am definitely going with the diamond pattern. Probably going to go with black though as my rig is white. I think the white paint with the black rubber will look slick. It will also go well with my black bezel.

 

[jvincig01]

Have you decided on a screw or fastner type to bolt the top retainer strip down?

I have a set of these runningboards I thought about redoing and have always wondered what the stock fastener is. The current ones are brass.

I believe stock is button head phillips like the ones I have in the picture above (picture below as well). This dome style head is common throughout my '67. The head is not like the ones you find at lowes or depot. The stock ones are a complete dome style like this one. I am not certain if they came painted from the factory or not. Still researching that.

 

[Redgrrr]

If you end up finding the right style and need to order in bulk please let me know.

 

[jvincig01]

The diamond vinyl matting arrived today. This stuff is nice. I bought it from ... Pyramid Vinyl Matting - Canal Rubber

Since my FJ is white, I think black inserts will look really nice. I know its supposed to be white but I think black will hide dirt better and still give that vintage look and feel.

 

[wscbill]

I believe stock is button head phillips like the ones I have in the picture above (picture below as well). This dome style head is common throughout my '67. The head is not like the ones you find at lowes or depot. The stock ones are a complete dome style like this one. I am not certain if they came painted from the factory or not. Still researching that.

View attachment 1646035

Those cross-head screws are Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS), not Phillips. JIS pan head screws have a different profile than their ANSI counterpart.

From japanesescrews.com

 

[wngrog]

Why would you go through all this trouble to restore them and not use the OEM type white material?