The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Running boards

I hope this is the right place to post. My running boards are finished and ready to install.I need to know the correct size of the bolts that attach them to the truck. They look like a standard carriage bolt. Thanks Steve

They are a 1/4" carriage bolt with a larger than standard head.

Called 'elevator bolts.'

If you have trouble finding the correct bolts, try Fastenal.

I bought a running board bolt kit for my '54 3100 from The Filling Station. Also available from other suppliers.

Filling Station #GM-1152
The Truck Shop #47-06605

I haven't used them yet, so I don't know if they are correct. I'll find out next week when I remove my running boards to strip and paint. Doesn't look like the bolts on my running boards are elevator bolts.

Suggest you also buy running board to cab seals, running board to cab seals mtl retainer, and running board to fender gaskets. Available from most suppliers.

Lonnie, thanks for the good info, but what is a mtl retainer? Steve

Thanks EdPruss, The old ones look like 'elevator bolts' with the thin profile. The typical 1/4" carriage bolt has a smaller head but looks like it would work. It isn't one of those specialty items that always cost more. Back in the day, that is probably what a farmer would have used. Just my opinion. Steve

They have a flatter/thinner thichness head than a normal carriage bolt, but they do not have the flat head of an elevator bolt.

What kind of bolts are these, Dads50? Steve

Tim, are referring to Dads50 photo? Steve

...click...


American classic truck parts

Steve,

DADS50's bolts are correct bolts. Elevator bolts were referred to in your earlier post.

http://www.google.com/search?q=elev...mp;ved=0CF0QsAQ&biw=1024&bih=644

I pulled my running boards off today. A previous owner used elevator bolts to hold them to the brackets. One side of the head was partially filed off to allow it to fit into the slot on the running board. They worked fine.
> 1/4" Elevator Bolts @ Fastenal

The running board bolt kit that I bought from The Filling Station has the large head 1/4" carriage bolts discussed earlier. The bolts are referred to as "Step Bolts" in section 8.902 of the MPC. Part #128381, 1/4"-20X1". The Filling Station bolts have a bronze colored finish instead of zink. The kit has twelve bolts, nuts, lock washers, and flat washers (smaller outside diam that the ones posted by DADS50). Kit does not have the two standard 1/4" carriage bolts that go through the running board, nor does it have any of the other standard hex nuts and bolts required.

53Movinon - sorry for not responding sooner. The "cab seals mtl retainer" is the metal strip that secures the rubber seals to the cab. Note: The retainer is held in place by clutch head sheet metal screws. I did not buy the retainers; mine appear to be OK.