Anyone know if these running birds are made of steel or aluminum? Guy says they are off 2014

 

Fairly sure they are steel and some plastic even, I have the exact same one. Easy way to check, have a strong magnet anywhere?

 

If they are painted, which it appears they are, they are steel. There is one set that is aluminum. Most are painted and those are steel.

 

Steel, At the plastic end-caps they will show signs of rust within a few years. The paint will bubble and flake off and look terrible.
If you're buying running boards get the plastic with aluminum reinforcement rails underneath...they are aftermarket but won't rust.

 

Steel, Mine are rusting already

 

Thanks guys, they were actually for my brother he wanted to make brackets and use them on his 1997 F150. But the guy had them on craigslist and he said they weren't aluminum, and we were surprised because all the ones on fords accessory catalog showed aluminum, but they didn't show that style offered for sale. But we don't want steel so the search continues. He doesn't want polished aluminum either. Thats his truck, so we will just continue looking

 

That's a clean looking truck! If you're in the rust belt aluminum isn't always the best choice. The ones on my '08 rotted out causing one to nearly fall off. The ones on my '12 have some pitting on them already and they came from Alberta. The best bet is to get steel ones (or aluminum ones that are in good shape) and get them powder coated the color you like.

 

Yeah we're in pittsburgh so salt is pleanitful. His truck was under coated since new, and held up great. I have aluminum 2012 boards on mine and are holding up well, we regularly keep a coat of wax on everything which helps a lot I'm sure. We will continue to look, it's all about what comes along, he doesn't want to pay big buck. Can't blame us kids haha