I am going to add some running boards to my truck, and was wondering about the installation on the Aluminum body. It looks like a very simple process but do you isolate the steel brackets from the body with plastic washers or some other method?

Thanks

 

Edit. nevermind. Yes plastic washers would be needed. Just check out YouTube, several videos of people doing installs and using plastic/nylon washers.

 

My Lund brand nerf bars came with plastic isolators (square washers) to fit between the steel and aluminum.

 

 

You're better off looking for running boards that bolt directly to your frame, rather than the rocker panels. Most trucks have places to bolt onto the frame without drilling any holes.
If fastening to the rocker panels, you'll need to drill some holes most of the time, and it won't be nearly as strong as on the frame.

 

The 2015+ F150s have three sets of studs pre-installed... no drilling holes required. You just need some nylon/plastic washers to isolate the metals, and some M8x1.25 stainless steel lock nuts to attach the running boards.

I suspect some of the hardcore rock crawler stuff bolts straight to the frame, but your average boards don't.

 

I'm sure bolting to the frame would be stronger, but not easier. The F 150, the 2018 at least, comes with three mounting points per side, each mounting point has three studs sticking out to attach a nut to.
Interestingly the factory running boards only seem to use 2 brackets, at least the ones I've seen.

 

 

THANK YOU, that made it so easy for me, and install was quick. I had to get larger washers but that’s my fault. Thanks again!!!