The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Running board patch panels

Anyone ever use Jim Carter's running board repair sections for the AD trucks? How do the "ribs" line up? My 3600 running boards are in pretty good shape- a couple dents to dolly out, a little cutting, a little welding, some grinding, some metal filler and they should turn out good for a low gloss black powdercoat.

I used them on my 3100 last winter. The tread patch matches up about 95% percent good, and is slighly noticable if you stare at it. Found it was easier to cut the patch just slighly 1/16th larger than the square area I had cut out of the running board area to be repaired and then I filed the the square to fit the patch it. It took some time to get a good fit, and then welded it in. Have some pics if you need some.

Mike

Bluedot... Yes, please post or e-mail me the pictures. I didn't know anyone was making these. PM me if you want my e-mail address.

Czechman, check the Jim Carter Catalog- they have other running board repair parts too.

send me an email with your email address, will send pics.. Need to update my webshots, time permitting... got all the parts from Jim Carter, they worked out really good.

Mike

You have a PM

Yes, I got all of my running board repair parts at jim carter, they are of a thick gauge material, and price wasn't too high.

czechman, ya got mail.

Mike

I can give you a tip on installing the lengthwise stiffner and the attachment channels (all purchased from JC) that makes life easier. Cut the old ones off flush with the bent leg and leave that attached by its spotwelds to the board. Grind it smooth and then weld the new one to the piece you left. Benefits: exact fit in exact location, no burn through because board may be to thin. not noticeable when finished. You can see in these picks how I did it then I undercoated mine to make sure they last a while.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/2505581540102454676DTbtcH
http://community.webshots.com/photo/2729516700102454676ZEahXt

good tip, luckily I only have to replace one attachment channel, and one re-inforcing channel.

Good thinking Brad.

As an alternative:

The first winter I owned my truck I didn’t have access to it and could only work on what I could pull off which was the rotten running boards. I cut out the entire floors and in replacing them with my new 110V mig welder I learned to become proficient with the machine, where the warpage threshold was, and how much good welding would reduce grinding, warpage, and filling. They were a great way to learn/practice welding skills as I was a first timer and they made me more confident to go after the cab later on.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1382784088023244788dzGAYH

With lifetime bedliner on them they’re user friendly and don’t look bad.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2326828900023244788XbHtst

Hey guys, I finally got my patch panels. They are just a C hair off, but they will do. I have one section welded in. Here's my question for those of you that have done it- is there a trick, or a special grinding wheel to smooth out between the ribs? I welded it from the backside, to reduce the need for grinding. Maybe I should have welded on the high part of the rib, instead of in the valley.