The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Task Force Cab Steps?

Were cab steps or running boards ever offered on the Task Force series Trucks. I know that the COE and LCF Trucks had cab steps but have never seen any offered for the standard cab models.

Craig - I just checked through several of my original 1955-59 dealer sales pamphlets and only saw two instances where TF trucks were shown equipped with external cab step. The LCFs all had them and I did see selected "Big Bolt" trucks for 1956 that had them pictured.

Here's a copy of the 1955 Chevrolet Truck Engineering Features book that details the first year TF trucks. Then this 1956 Chevrolet Truck Engineering Features book has pictures of the 2-1/2 ton 10000 Series conventional cab series that shows external cab steps. In reading the '56 book, it indicates that these external running boards for the 10000 Series trucks were also offered as optional on 4000, 6000 and 8000 Series (see screenshot extract below).

I couldn't find a 1957 Chevrolet Truck Engineering Features book to confirm if those continued for '57, but this 1958 Chevrolet Truck Engineering book continues to show the same external steps/running boards on the big truck series. The 1959 Chevrolet Truck Engineering Features book also continues to show the same big truck external steps/running boards too. Although not stated in the '58 or '59 books that I saw, I think we can presume that these steps/running boards continued to be offered as options for the 4000, 6000 and 800 Series trucks, the same as in '56.

Dan,Dan the Answer Man... that picture is just what I was looking for. I'm sure that finding a set of those would be as Jerry says "Rare as Hens Teeth", but having a picture is a strart. I have been thinking of fabbing up something using LWB running board (hence the Add in the Swap Meet). I'm sure it's doable. My Wife is 4' 9" and getting in and out of Thor is not all that easy, running board steps would solve that problem, plus it wouldn't look all that bad.. Thanks, YOU THE MAN.

Craig - Wonder if instead of cutting up some LWB running boards, you could use something along the lines found on these salvage yard trucks. There are a couple of Big Bolt AD's, and a bunch of '60s and 70's Big Bolts that could provide some donor steps pretty close to what you need. The '60s steps might be easier to adapt to Thor's fender and cab lines.

1947 Chevy 2 ton

1950 Chevy 2 ton

1960 Chevy

Chevy C65

Chevy C70

Chevy C80

Pictures below are in order of links above.

Here is a picture of them on my '59.
I can try to get you some closeups if desired.

Lonnie, some close up pictures would be great. Finding an original set is not really an option but fabbing something close seems doable. The most difficult portion would be the fender extension.... Absolutely beautiful Truck !

Craig, The pictures shown are of 2-1/2 ton series trucks. They have the front fender extension which wont work with your 4400 fenders as your fender heal dies into the rocker molding at the door...the bigger truck fender heal sits proud of the cab and provides a flange to bolt the extension to. If my memory has it right the external running boards for the 4000 and 6000 series were just flat boards with rolled finished ends on the front and back and were mounted on two frame brackets. In all my years playing with TF trucks I've never seen running boards on a 4000 or 6000 series truck!

Making a pair out of flat diamond plate might be easier and faster than trying to source them from a junk yard.

Mike B