RidnClean
Full Access Members
anybody got a how to/tips to how to get em off quick and easy?
thanks forum!
thanks forum!
Removing Running Boards
- Thread starter RidnClean
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
aircargoo
Full Access Members
the bolts are pretty weathered under there on mine....ive seen expeditions lifted with fork lift so i looked....
air gun would be great...comes off body.bolt heads face drive shaft...think theres 5-6 "l" brackets.
looks easy when u can walk under truck when lifted with fork lift....lol
i would have spare clips and bolts....there gonna break.
air gun would be great...comes off body.bolt heads face drive shaft...think theres 5-6 "l" brackets.
looks easy when u can walk under truck when lifted with fork lift....lol
i would have spare clips and bolts....there gonna break.
Last edited:
Tuffy
Full Access Members
the bolts are pretty weathered under there on mine....ive seen expeditions lifted with fork lift so i looked....
air gun would be great...comes off body.bolt heads face drive shaft...think theres 5-6 "l" brackets.
looks easy when u can walk under truck when lifted with fork lift....lol
Lol I am pretty interested in doing this too, but...getting my expedition lifted with a forklift isn't exactly an option
SOLISIMO
Full Access Members
I did it to my old F150 without having to lift it, and it looks like i can get under my expedition to do the same
aircargoo
Full Access Members
lol....i wouldnt lift with a forklift as well...these are parts cars lifted.
.lQQk under there. youll see exactly what your dealing with. youll see "L" arms clearly holding running boards.
.lQQk under there. youll see exactly what your dealing with. youll see "L" arms clearly holding running boards.
you pretty much just use a wrench and unbolt everything, and then disconnect the electrical running through to it for the lights.
i would take mine off, but i've got family that i drive around still.
once i get the money for some nice nerf bars i'll swap em' out until i can get her lifted.
i would take mine off, but i've got family that i drive around still.
once i get the money for some nice nerf bars i'll swap em' out until i can get her lifted.
walnuts4x4
Full Access Members
new bars are good... i ordered mine from ebay and they have held up so far and were a lot cheaper than ordering else were... just my .02
RidnClean
Full Access Members
thanks forum lol...
couple small tips ... spray all bolts (8mm and 13mm i think) with wd-40 and let it sit for an hour before starting. Also, have a block ready to hold up the boards as they will start to fall down as you near the last bolts. The electrical is just a single plug-in.
Hope that helps some!
Hope that helps some!
a few more questions
I could be wrong but looking at your pic it seems like you did take them off? If so it helps me cause I wanted to see what it would look like with the Eddie Bauer trim but no running boards.
I have family to drive around too, but they're amused by their dad's Jeep so I figure why keep the huge running boards...I want my truck to look like a truck, not a Cadillac!
For those who have removed the running boards already, were there any problems with rust hiding between the running boards and painted surfaces? Anyone have a measurement of the improved ground clearance after the boards are off?
Even better would be some close-up pics of before/after the board removal?!
I could be wrong but looking at your pic it seems like you did take them off? If so it helps me cause I wanted to see what it would look like with the Eddie Bauer trim but no running boards.
I have family to drive around too, but they're amused by their dad's Jeep so I figure why keep the huge running boards...I want my truck to look like a truck, not a Cadillac!
For those who have removed the running boards already, were there any problems with rust hiding between the running boards and painted surfaces? Anyone have a measurement of the improved ground clearance after the boards are off?
Even better would be some close-up pics of before/after the board removal?!
Last edited:
Removed mine a few months ago. Was pretty easy, just a few bolts on both sides (maybe 6, I forget). But I think it looks alot better without them, and yes the wife and in-laws complain but hey...its not their vehicle! HA! As someone else said, have something to hold them up or be ready for the weight when you take the last bolt out, I did it so the middle bolt was the last and just held it up by hand, they are not that heavy.
It's done!
Me again, just did the running board removal yesterday (with my husband's help of course). I have a 2000 EB 4x4 5.4L, each running board had 4 L-brackets, 14 bolts, and 1 electrical clip for the lights. One warning, don't take these off a late-model unless you plan on keeping them off, since several bolts will most likely break during the removal process from being rusted on. I started using a 13mm combo wrench and my husband went after with his impact gun on the ones that were stuck (should have used that from the beginning, would have taken 1/2 hr max!). Wear your safety glasses to keep dirt/rust from going in your eyes as the bolts are coming off. And yea either have someone there to help hold them as they're coming off or use blocks. They're not heavy but definitely bulky and grimy.
It looks so much better, like an instant lift, think F150 supercab/short-bed with a cap. I'll post some pics when I get a chance.
There was some minor rust on the surface that was between the running boards and the body, but mine was all underneath so you can't see it when looking at the car from the side. I think that's pretty good considering this car has been in DE all it's life which means 11 winters with at least a handful of road saltings each year. I plan on using a wire-brush then anti-rust paint to keep it from spreading.
If you're worried about rocks install mud flaps instead. That's not something I'm overly concerned about since it's already 11 years old and most of the time it's covered in mud down there anyway.
Also, I have 3 preschoolers but for me that's a reason to take the running boards OFF. They would hold dirt and/or water on the top, which would mean my kids would be smeared with it every time they used the running boards to get in or out. They need a little help getting in now, but at least they're clean for church on Sundays! I suppose tube-type side-steps would be better for that but no money for that now and I'm liking the look without...
Will post some pics soon!
Me again, just did the running board removal yesterday (with my husband's help of course). I have a 2000 EB 4x4 5.4L, each running board had 4 L-brackets, 14 bolts, and 1 electrical clip for the lights. One warning, don't take these off a late-model unless you plan on keeping them off, since several bolts will most likely break during the removal process from being rusted on. I started using a 13mm combo wrench and my husband went after with his impact gun on the ones that were stuck (should have used that from the beginning, would have taken 1/2 hr max!). Wear your safety glasses to keep dirt/rust from going in your eyes as the bolts are coming off. And yea either have someone there to help hold them as they're coming off or use blocks. They're not heavy but definitely bulky and grimy.
It looks so much better, like an instant lift, think F150 supercab/short-bed with a cap. I'll post some pics when I get a chance.
There was some minor rust on the surface that was between the running boards and the body, but mine was all underneath so you can't see it when looking at the car from the side. I think that's pretty good considering this car has been in DE all it's life which means 11 winters with at least a handful of road saltings each year. I plan on using a wire-brush then anti-rust paint to keep it from spreading.
If you're worried about rocks install mud flaps instead. That's not something I'm overly concerned about since it's already 11 years old and most of the time it's covered in mud down there anyway.
Also, I have 3 preschoolers but for me that's a reason to take the running boards OFF. They would hold dirt and/or water on the top, which would mean my kids would be smeared with it every time they used the running boards to get in or out. They need a little help getting in now, but at least they're clean for church on Sundays! I suppose tube-type side-steps would be better for that but no money for that now and I'm liking the look without...
Will post some pics soon!
Last edited:
