INSTALL - FX4 OEM Running Boards Missing Some Hardware
08-03-2013, 03:11 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
INSTALL - FX4 OEM Running Boards Missing Some Hardware
As usual I forgot to take pictures of the hardware that came with the boards and the new hardware I purchased. I got the boards from a guy off craigslist who was selling because he got new boards on his truck. He reused the upper clips so I had everything but those 8 clips. I tried to get a match to the stock bolts but couldn't find anything so I went to Lowe's to put together a bolt/washer/clip set. This is a high corrosion prone area so you want to stick to galvanized steel for the bolt and washer. The clips come with a black phosphate coating.
Clip from Lowe's
The closest size Lowe's has to the stock clip is a 5/16"-18. There are two sizes as shown in picture. The smaller size will work but there is not much adjustment room so if your holes happen to be a little off there is a risk of these not fitting. Just go for the larger size and you'll be fine for sure.
Bolt from Lowe's
The bolt I think I actually picked up was 5/16"-18 x 1.5" but I could only find x 1" on Lowe's website for reference. This stack up is so small, you just have to go through the board bracket, frame wall, and clip threads. 1-1.5" bolt length is where you want to be around.
Doing this install myself I opted to do the brackets first. Simple task, 4 bolts/clips per bracket. Install clips on to frame pushing all the way until you get the click from the spring engaging the hole. Align bracket and loosely install all 4 bolts. I say loosely so you have wiggle to adjust once the boards are on to not cause any unnecessary binding.
The boards have 8 studs that are in a track that runs end to end. Very nice design so you can easily adjust where you want the boards to sit. Once you have the studs lined up and sitting in the brackets wiggle the brackets until they sit flat at all contact surfaces. Tighten the frame bolts from the top down and install the nuts on the bottom of the boards. You can make adjustments, with the nuts on the bottom loose, to make sure the board is straight with the side of the truck and where you want them front to back.
I haven't found a service manual yet so I'm not sure of true torque values but after a 5-10min google search I came to the conclusion to use 20 lb-ft of torque of the bolts.
I apologize for the lack of step by step pics but I was just too excited to finally have running boards I just threw them on lol.
Clip from Lowe's
The closest size Lowe's has to the stock clip is a 5/16"-18. There are two sizes as shown in picture. The smaller size will work but there is not much adjustment room so if your holes happen to be a little off there is a risk of these not fitting. Just go for the larger size and you'll be fine for sure.
Bolt from Lowe's
The bolt I think I actually picked up was 5/16"-18 x 1.5" but I could only find x 1" on Lowe's website for reference. This stack up is so small, you just have to go through the board bracket, frame wall, and clip threads. 1-1.5" bolt length is where you want to be around.
Doing this install myself I opted to do the brackets first. Simple task, 4 bolts/clips per bracket. Install clips on to frame pushing all the way until you get the click from the spring engaging the hole. Align bracket and loosely install all 4 bolts. I say loosely so you have wiggle to adjust once the boards are on to not cause any unnecessary binding.
The boards have 8 studs that are in a track that runs end to end. Very nice design so you can easily adjust where you want the boards to sit. Once you have the studs lined up and sitting in the brackets wiggle the brackets until they sit flat at all contact surfaces. Tighten the frame bolts from the top down and install the nuts on the bottom of the boards. You can make adjustments, with the nuts on the bottom loose, to make sure the board is straight with the side of the truck and where you want them front to back.
I haven't found a service manual yet so I'm not sure of true torque values but after a 5-10min google search I came to the conclusion to use 20 lb-ft of torque of the bolts.
I apologize for the lack of step by step pics but I was just too excited to finally have running boards I just threw them on lol.
The following users liked this post:
FLETCH05 (12-08-2013)
09-17-2013, 04:52 AM
#2
Moved to correct section.
12-26-2013, 04:31 PM
#3
Senior Member
Funny. My FX4 came from the dealer missing bolts on the passenger side. It only had two bolts. I found this out because every time you'd shut the door it would rattle.
