Hey everyone, I need some opinions. If I get the truck I want (2wd, reg cab short box sport package) I will probably drive it until it's paid off (5 years) and then always keep it as the third vehicle for hauling etc. As I do with every new vehicle it will go right to Ziebart first thing for full undercoating/rustproofing and then some sort of splash protection. Here's my dilemma, I'm wondering if I should put running boards on the truck? I like them for the paint protection aspect but since it's a 2wd I don't want it to look too low. Every other vehicle I've put boards on has been either 4x4 or a full size van.
What do you all think? I was planning on molded mudflaps if I didn't do the boards, but they won't protect the cab and box front from chips.

If anyone can post pics of a non-lowered 2wd with running boards I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Steve



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Hopefully future F-150 XLT Sport owner.
Current:
2001 Chevy Blazer LT-wife's
2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP- *Supercharged* My toy with a bunch of mods. Gp-owners.com member since Oct 99. Currently FOR SALE so I can get a truck!

 

If I were you I'd go with tubes instead of the boards. Also, most new vehicles come with an undercoating from the factory. I just bought my 97 back in November and it has the undercoating.

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1997 XLT Teal 4.6L Flareside 4x4 ORP. Automatic, Reg. cab, 3.55LS, tinted windows, bug deflector, Dual exhaust, K&N Generation 2 air filter, BullDog keyless entry/remote start(installed myself), Modern 16" wheels, bedliner, Covercraft tonneau cover, White faced gauges, electronic shift on the fly, Clarion ADX5655z Double Din Cassette & CD, 4 Pioneer TS-A6865 speakers and superchip. Going to add headers.

 

I agree with James. Tubes or nothing at all.

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98 XL, 4.2L, 5-speed, Pendaliner bedliner, SlimTop flushmount tonneau, ASP crank underdrive pulley, Gibson split duals, Gibson engraved tips, Clarion CD player, Belltech 2/2 drop.(Springs, shocks,and shackles)

Future
-Vortech Supercharger
-Autometer boost and tach guages.
-Superchip
-brushed aluminum dash kit
-10" sub
-Wet Okole seat covers

 

I have the running boards on a 4 X 2 and like them just fine. Then again, mine is a supercab, might not look the same on a reg cab. Have you seen any on a reg cab?

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99 F250XLT Supercab LD
5.4L 3.73 LS
White/Silver
Graphite interior
6 CD changer/Captain's Chairs



[This message has been edited by JD (edited 03-18-2001).]

 

kclm7:

Here are my thoughts.

Running boards are necessary on the 4WD trucks, especially to get very young, very old or very short people in and out of the truck.

I don't feel that the running boards are needed for entrance and exit on the 2WD trucks.

Wilk

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'97 F-150 4x4 Super Cab; XLT 139" Wheelbase Flairside; Silver Frost Clearcoat; 4.6L. (Romeo); 4-spd Automatic Transmission; Preferred Equipment Package 507A; 3.55 Limited Slip Axle; Electronic Shift 4x4; California Emissions; Sliding Rear Window; Trailer Towing Package; Off-Road Package; 6-Way Power Driver's Seat; Remote Keyless Entry/Anti Theft; 6-Disc CD Changer; Ford Bedliner; Ford Running Boards; Ford 600 Plus Vehicle Security System; Ford Nose Mask; Roll n Lock Tonneau Cover; Ford PremiumCare Extended Service Plan (5 year/100,000 miles).

2000 SVT F-150 LIGHTNING XLT; 120" Wheelbase; Flareside; 5.4L EFI SOHC V8 SC Engine; 4-SPD Automatic; Silver Clearcoat Metallic; SVT Online Store Lightning Front End Mask; Roll n Lock Tonneau Cover.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone.

King James, New trucks DO NOT come from the factory with undercoat like Ziebart. A new truck will be rust colored underneath after 2-3 winters in salt. Ziebart completely coats the underside so it's completely black.

I really don't like the tubes for 2 reasons. They don't provide any protection and the look goofy on 2wd trucks. The main reason for running boards is paint protection.

JD: Do you have any pictures you could post or e-mail??

Thanks,
Steve


------------------
Hopefully future F-150 XLT Sport owner.
Current:
2001 Chevy Blazer LT-wife's
2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP- *Supercharged* My toy with a bunch of mods. Gp-owners.com member since Oct 99. Currently FOR SALE so I can get a truck!

 

Yeah, running boards look cheap. If you want kind of a "best of both worlds" look, check out Lund's new steps.
They are cool. I was thinking of getting some.
www.lundlook.com

They're called "Runners"
And they're about $175 or so.
From the looks of the photos I've seen, I think they mount to the body. So, that's up to you. Some of us 4x4s want body mounted, so the body lift doesn't affect it. Not that mine's lifted, but if I ever decide to...

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--Lariat4WD--

2000 Ford F-150 Extended Cab Flareside 4x4 Lariat
5.4L;auto;3.55LS;Black/Silver;ORP;remote keyless;floor-shift 4wd;Class III;AM/FM/SingleCD
Mods so far:
Lund X-Terminator bug shield; Vent Shade Vent Visors; Westin Black step bars; Pendaliner bedliner; GSP black Safari Grille Guard; GTS TailBlazerII Slotted taillight covers; Clear corner lenses; under hitch backup lights; 2 KC Hilites Daylighter 6" 150W black round; Cranked torsion bars; 2 Polk Audio EX10 10" subs under rear seat; Sony XM754HX amp; Viper 300ESP alarm; NR Auto white/black gauges; changed silver 2-tone to dark charcoal, warranty paint work on bed sides and roof; removed all Lariat striping...for now. Body shop reapplying new ORP decals; 2001 Lightning tail lights
Pending
Flowmaster 40 Delta Series SI/DO exhaust w/ 99 Z-28 chrome tips
Warranty Paint Work Pending
Hood being repainted due to acid rain damage
Wish list:
More lights; Optima red top battery; Remote starter & Prox. sensor; Pioneer DH-P8800 w/TV Tuner; DVD player; GPS; Custom center console w/ LCD TV; BedRug & Soft Tonneau; Aluminum dash kit

<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1288981&a=10889838&p=40339331&Sequence=0&re s=high" TARGET=_blank> </A> <A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1288981&a=10889838&p=40339335&Sequence=0&re s=high" TARGET=_blank> </A>
<A HREF="http://www.bmgsite.com" TARGET=_blank> </A>

2000 VW Cabrio GL (Wife's)
2.0L, auto, pw, pdl, pm, tilt, cruise
Green ext, black cloth int
Am/Fm/Cass w/ CD cgr

www.autoleaseauthority.com

[This message has been edited by lariat4wd (edited 03-19-2001).]

 

Sorry I didn't get back sooner, had to borrow a camera. Hopefully you can see them.

 

Thanks again for the responses everyone. I think I may take another look at the optional Ford running boards. I don't need the boards for stepping into the truck, I want them mainly for paint protection.

JD, Thanks for the pics they look great!

Steve


------------------
Hopefully future F-150 XLT Sport owner.
Current:
2001 Chevy Blazer LT-wife's
2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP- *Supercharged* My toy with a bunch of mods. Gp-owners.com member since Oct 99. Currently FOR SALE so I can get a truck!

 

I have the same running boards JD is showing. I realize you want them for paint protection but here's something you may not have thought of. When people get out of a truck the generally "slide" off the seat until their feet touch the ground, this not only wears the fabric or leather (especially with coarse fabrics like denim) but also crushes the foam that gives the sides of the seat it's shape. You'll find a lot of leather seat owners complaining that the "outside" edges of the seats are wearing prematurely.
So everytime somebody new sits in my truck I tell them: use the handle and the step to get out, NO SLIDING.

 

All that stuff above and they help a bit in keeping mud off the back of your pantlegs when getting in or out. Now if you were thinking of getting some of the old aluminum boards that stick out a foot from the truck...well..I don't think they would look good on these newer F's. I think the fiberglass 'rounded edge' boards look really good.

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'97 F-150 Lariat SuperCab 4X4

• White/Silver, 4.6L, Auto.,Open 3:55
• 265/75/16 BFGoodrich AT's on polished 16x8 AR-136's
• Cat-back Dual Exhaust (Straight pipes with big chrome tips)
• Black Polar Bear Grille Guard
• Stock '01 AM/FM/CD stereo