Power Running Boards to Fixed Aftermarket Running Boards

[79fatcat]

Hi All,

Been rummaging thru all the posts regarding the power running boards..

I have a 2011 Expy Limited MAX and want to remove the power running boards and replace them with fixed aftermarket running boards. I've noticed that some aftermarket vendors indicate that their boards "Will Not Fit On Vehicles Equipped With Power Retracting Boards". Have any of you replaced the power running boards with fixed aftermarket boards and noticed any difference in mounting points? Is there any merit to that aftermarket statement?

Also, have any of you compared the mounting points of the Expy EL/Max vs. a crew cab F150? I'm wondering whether take offs from an FX4 would jive.

Either option would work for me but would like to know for certain before dropping $$$.

Thanks!

 

[XMan]

I'm curious as to why you would want to go from the power boards to fixed running boards? I have a couple questions myself in regards to power running boards. Anybody live in a snow state? How do the power boards perform in the winter with the snow and ice? Do they work when the snow and ice gets packed up in there?

Also is there a way to turn them on or off?

 

[79fatcat]

There is a way to turn them off (which I've done) but my preference is to have fixed running boards. The power running boards are starting to act up and I'd rather pay once to rectify the situation than pay again when they start to fail again.

As for snow and ice. I keep mine off specifically for that reason along with the mud that collects along the bottom. I use my truck for work (oilfield) and the conditions that I subject the truck to are exactly why I want to move towards fixed boards over powered.

 

[XMan]

There is a way to turn them off (which I've done) but my preference is to have fixed running boards. The power running boards are starting to act up and I'd rather pay once to rectify the situation than pay again when they start to fail again.

As for snow and ice. I keep mine off specifically for that reason along with the mud that collects along the bottom. I use my truck for work (oilfield) and the conditions that I subject the truck to are exactly why I want to move towards fixed boards over powered.

I figured that's why you wanted to go with fixed running boards. When I seen mine had the power running boards first thing I thought was there's a weak link. I can see them being trouble in snow and ice and mud build up. Many motor coaches come with automatic deploying steps. Seems to be the first thing that usually stops working.

Hopefully somebody comes along with the answer to your question I will be interested in the solution myself when I have problems which I'm anticipating I will.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I'm curious as to why you would want to go from the power boards to fixed running boards? I have a couple questions myself in regards to power running boards. Anybody live in a snow state? How do the power boards perform in the winter with the snow and ice? Do they work when the snow and ice gets packed up in there?

Also is there a way to turn them on or off?

On the 2017, you go into the left hand navigation menu, and go to settings. You can set them for automatic, off, or deployed. What I've read is that the trick to keeping them running correctly is to use an underbody wash often and to lube them regularly. I only drove through a little snow this year so I didn't have any really packed up underneath so I can't speak to that.

 

[79fatcat]

So I took a chance and got Westin running boards even though it stated on their website that it wouldn't fit on Expeditions equipped with power running boards...

 

[79fatcat]

 

[79fatcat]

Direct bolt up with no issues. When I get a chance, I will take measurements of the brackets from the power running boards if anyone is interested in comparing them to the bracket spacing on an F150.

 

[warrencjacob]

I looked at the Westin running boards too and noticed that they state that they will not work on vehicles with power boards but after talking with them it seems that this is just a warning that you can't replace just the OEM board with the aftermarket board and keep it as power, not fixed. The power boards are designed for 2 brackets and to fit up under the vehicle. The Westin aftermarket boards use 3 brackets and are not designed to fit up under. But after watching several videos on Youtube of aftermarket boards being installed on F-150s and looking at the holes in place on my 2008 Expedition EL I am convinced that the Westin boards and mounting kit with 3 brackets will work. I will post again after I get them installed.

 

[Extremistno9]

79fatcat, thanks for sharing the info and pictures. Looks very nice; the aluminum of the running boards goes well with the roof rack rails. I have an '11 with power running boards and the passenger side currently does not work (Wisconsin winters). I wondered about the "will not work with power running boards" when doing research and that makes sense why they advertise that. If I cannot get the board working, it is nice to know the Westin boards are a possible solution.

 

[jeff kushner]

I'm curious as to why you would want to go from the power boards to fixed running boards? I have a couple questions myself in regards to power running boards. Anybody live in a snow state? How do the power boards perform in the winter with the snow and ice? Do they work when the snow and ice gets packed up in there?

Also is there a way to turn them on or off?

The options, to be clear are AUTO, DEPLOYED and RETRACTED. I put them out so I can wash my truck them put them back into AUTO mode....I also grease, well oil them after washing my truck. I happen to have motorcycle chain lube that's designed to penetrate & lube and it's works really well on these to keep our moisture and road gunk.

jeff

 

[79fatcat]

Hope that's enough info for any of you with access to a set of F150 boards/brackets.

 

[Extremistno9]

I took off my passenger board and tired to get things moving again with no luck. However, I did get the rear pivots moving as they were frozen when I took it off. As I really start to consider power vs. fixed, I am strongly leaning towards fixed. I load a lot of things on the roof from bikes to cargo boxes and a canoe. Being able to have the doors closed and have access to using running boards (with out changing the default setting to always out or changing as I need them in/out) is more valuable in my mind then have the power running boards. As I look at them closer as well, I just see the need for constant maintenance and more failure down the road (again Wisconsin winters). For something as simple as a running board, my time is better spent maintaining other parts of the truck and just doesn't make it worth it.

For those of you that have switch from power to fixed, what benefits have you seen?

Did you try to sell off your power boards for parts or as a working unit (my driver side works in my case)?

79fatcat, how are you liking your fixed boards? Also, what is the step height of the board and do the Westin boards stick out past your tires? IMO, the step height of the power boards, if left out on a permanent basis, is too low and sticks out past the tires too far. I measure a 12" step height, 3.5" past the tires. For slight comparison, our 2007 Explorer with stock fixed running boards has a 13.5" step height and is about .5" inset from the tires.

Thanks!

 

[79fatcat]

I quite like the fixed running boards. Far better for kids given how many times you open/close the doors and how many times the powered boards cycle (ex. Daddy unlocks doors, open driver's side rear-boards deploy, kid goes in, daddy closes door-board goes back in, repeat on passenger side rear, then repeat for daddy getting in driver's seat) - that's 3 cycles for loading the car. Given how many times you do that in a day, is it any wonder these things eventually fail?

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I quite like the fixed running boards. Far better for kids given how many times you open/close the doors and how many times the powered boards cycle (ex. Daddy unlocks doors, open driver's side rear-boards deploy, kid goes in, daddy closes door-board goes back in, repeat on passenger side rear, then repeat for daddy getting in driver's seat) - that's 3 cycles for loading the car. Given how many times you do that in a day, is it any wonder these things eventually fail?

Unlock the driver's door a pop it open just so it's unlatched. Board deploys, open the rear door put the child or other passenger in the back. Close door. Repeat process on the other side. Get in close driver's door one cycle per side.

 

[79fatcat]

Now you're just sounding too smart for this forum..hahaha.

Anyways here's the pics and measurements for those who are interested. Close up pics of the running boards were taken from the passenger side.

The boards are not very wide. I've placed a can of pop on the board with the door open for reference.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Now you're just sounding too smart for this forum..hahaha.

It drove me crazy until I figured it out. Whenever I take it through the car wash, I dry all of the doors and door jambs. I the beginning I'd open the driver's door, wipe it down, close the door forgetting about the running boards, then open the rear door half way through the cycle and have them reverse. I figured that couldn't be good so then I tried closing the driver's door but not latching it and board stayed deployed, Then I could open the rear door a wipe it down and the door jamb and the running board. Then I'd go to the other side and do the same thing. When I was done after wiping down the truck, i'd open the driver's door hop in close the door and one cycle is used. Any way to save wear and tear on them.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Unlock the driver's door a pop it open just so it's unlatched. Board deploys, open the rear door put the child or other passenger in the back. Close door. Repeat process on the other side. Get in close driver's door one cycle per side.

Yep, I do the same when I wash the truck or load stuff on the rooftop cargo carrier (before I switched to a hitch mounted carrier). I also do this when I'm going in and out of the truck if closing the doors is necessary (e.g. unloading packages on a busy road). I figure the board retracting/deploying every 30 seconds for 10 minutes can't be good for anything.

 

[Extremistno9]

Thanks for the photos. I decided to go with Ionic Black Railway running boards (auto customs), different look than what you have above. I should have them within a week or so and am looking forward to using them. I'll post pictures once I get them on and follow-up on their performance. Now to figure out what to do with 1 working/1 non-working power running board.

 

[79fatcat]

Looking forward to your pics.

I originally wanted to get the Ionic 41 series but couldn't find anyone who shipped to Canada.