Running Board Rsource Information

[MMcKinney]

Hello Pilot-House Forum,

I'm still looking for running boards for a 1953 B-4-B 108 inch wheel base truck. I have searched everywhere and can find nothing. Is there anyone out there in the forum that would have any information on finding a pair. Say a junk yard or fabrication shop? Maybe someone has an exrta pair they don't want?

I ordered some fiber glass running boards from a company call BeBops, but the boards come with no bolting attachaments (the metal channels that keep the board ridgid) and they are 4 inches too long as well. I think the1953 B-4-B running boards should be 60 inches long from the information that I have (my tuck did not have any running boards when I found it).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 108" WB truck board is 60 inches and the 116" WB truck is 68 inches long. I'm very disapointed with the fiber glass boards ant this point. I just do not think they are not stong enough to support a persons weight. A person would definetly need to build some kind metal frame work to bolt to these fiber glass running boards to and then your going see all the bolts that you use to attach the frame work to the board.

I also called Smoothies, but the owner is having medical problems and may not return to the business for quite sometime if at all. I guess he was the only one who could make the custom metal running boards they offer.

If anyone has any information you can email directly.

Thankyou

mmckinney22@hotmail.com

[Reg Evans]

I just measured my spare runnning board for the 48-52 108" wheelbase trucks. It is 63 3/4" long. In 53 ,because of the bigger rear fender the running boards were shorter. Temporarily you might have an easier time finding some good 48-52 rear fenders. Then you could use your longer boards from BeBops.

Here's an idea for stiffining up the glass boards. Laminate some 3/4 plywood on the entire underside of the r boards with fiberglass. Then you'll have somewhere to install mounting bolts and the boards will be strong enough to stand on.

[MMcKinney]

Thanks Mr. Evans,

Your suggetstion with the plywood is a very good one that I had not considered. My local fiberglass friend told me about an adhesive that Corrvet uses to bond metal to fiberglass. I was thinking drilling out the spot welds on the under side of an old pair of running boards and then bonding those supports to the fiberglass running boards. I think your way is much easier.

The length is still not correct, but with fiberglass I can keep working on them as much as I need untill I get the scuff ribs and the lenght right.

I would still rather have metal boards though. But before I cut anything I still need to confirm that the 1953 B-4-B (108") running board is really suppose to be 60 inches.

MMcKinney

[Bob_Koch]

I also have a B4B-108. You are correct - the boards are 60 inches long. The 53's are hard to come by as it's the only year they were made for our style of truck ( the big fenders). Boards from a 54 or 55 are the same length, the only major difference is that they style is not the same, but they will work.

[MMcKinney]

Thanks Bob,

I really needed a comformation on that lenght so I know where I need to set the box on the frame so I can redrill out the bed mounts.

MMcKinney

[Bob_Koch]

If you need pics or other measurements let me know as my truck is readily accessible.