Homemade Running Boards

[Scotty]

This may help someone building a less common make of vehicle.

Since 37 Pontiacs don't grow on trees I was faced with trying to come up with some sort of running boards for my car. I made some up from sheetmetal but did not want smooth painted ones as I wanted to be able to step on them. What I did was get two kinds of bodyside mld, (different profiles), and laid them out on the boards. One size for the ribs on the step area, and the other along the lower edge. I then seam sealed the edges of the mouldings to close off the slight overhang of the moulding to the adhesive tape. The boards were then sprayed with spray bed liner material. http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/scotty_photos_bucket/runningboard2.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/scotty_photos_bucket/runningboard.jpg
Some people like them, some don't, but these are 12 years old and will withstand almost anything you will ever throw at them.
Hopefully this may help someone with a similar predicament.

[johnny37]

I think that 37 Pontiac and 37 Chev use the same running boards. Seems to me they are only really different from the firewall forward, since the Pontiac ran a straight 8 while the Chevys only ran a 6 cyl.

[Scotty]

Johnny37, the Chevs & Pontiacs are completely different animals. All major body panels including the boards are different,(not sure about the trunk lid). The only items I came across that interchanged were the 1/4 glass rubbers, and misc small trim such as the inside door handles & bezels. I like having a different car, but it made sourcing parts difficult.(It would be easier now with the internet) Thank goodness mine was very complete.

[Davey_Joe]

.............. actually scott,..... not tryin' ta pee in the pool,...that particular model shared a lot with the chevvy,.... not like the biggar 8 cyl. models.... very nice oddball car,... we have a couple here just comin' out o' the closet,... an' a bud in quesnel with a really wild an' rare 36 cabriolet!........ an'... nice car by the way!!............ not many ponchos o' that vintage around.......

[Kustomshoebox]

Back to why I think Scotty put this up.... I think those 'boards are pretty "trick" I like them, and goes to show what a person can come up with when they are put in a bind and wanna figure it out. Cost wise Scotty... how did the cost of building them compare to prices of ones that you could bought IF the chev ones woulda fit right?? I'm thinking this process could be put into use making some low buck ones for my pickup.... very cool Scotty thanks for posting....

[Aero46Chevy]

Nice idea Scotty. I like it when you guys post up somthing a little different that others can use. Good deal!!!

[CDNflatlander]

I like the do-it-yourself plan, and adding custom touch at the same time as adding function!
Thanks for the post Scott,
Greg.

[bgbdlinc]

...that's using the old noodle....much better than calling an '800' number.....very slick and cool.....

[tinmann]

...that's using the old noodle....much better than calling an '800' number.....very slick and cool.....

I too am a big fan of home-built solutions where the credit card remains in the wallet. Nice job and with 12 years of use I'd say it more than passed the endurance test.

[wrascal]

I was planning to fabricate a new set of running boards for my Willys PU. I only have the front halves of the originals, so I was going to weld in the front formed edge, fabricate new contoured sides and use an old model T running board to supply the raised diamond pattern........... I will post pictures as it comes along.

Russ:D