Stripped Running Board Threads

So just got running boards and the threads are stripped on the under side of the truck. Wondering if anyone has had this issue is the past and if anyone can give advice.

 

I placed boards on my '14 last summer ... nice and tight.

Did you have to remove the thread hole caps or were they uncapped?

 

My truck is an 05 and I removed the thread caps. I think over the years the salt and water just ate away at the threads. I might have to re-thread them. Never had the need for running boards until recently with kids getting in and out of the vehicle and regret not doing before the corrosion took place.

 

If the holes are really messed up, may want to drill them out and install some plusnuts, or nutserts.

 

Honestly.. running boards are somewhat of a headache just due to the way they are mounted and the fact that the nuts they weld are within the body, under a layer of sheetmetal. If those ever go bad, you would have to cut inti the floorboard just to get to them. For the money, and due to their acessibility, I personally would recommend you do sliders instead, but thats just me. Yes they weigh a little more, but you eont have to worry about weak mounting points which are predominantly inaccessible.

 

Yes I agree but with kids wife the running boards seem to be a better option at this point and I got some factory boards for cheap. Gonna try them out.

 

Some sliders cost about the same as running boards and bolt right to the frame making them much more sturdy than steps..it was a no brainer for me plus they get used. Almost all vendors can set them at zero degrees to be utilized as more of a step. Some ladder grip tape works wonders in the rain and ice. Might be worth looking into instead. Just MHO though..

 

Yes I do agree on the sliders but again I got a really good deal on the running boards and I am determined to get them on for the wife and kids before our next trip. I don't have much to lose at this point and if I get at least a year out of them I will be happy. If I have issues with them I will go for the sliders next and have some welded on so I can be done with it. I have never needed or wanted any type of steps on my truck but now with kids I have to think differently. I am going for the least path of resistance at this point.

 

How bad is the corrosion? I'd try to tap the holes first, if it seemed like there might be enough material. Then craigslist the steps for a profit and buy sliders whenever you want.

 

corrosion isnt all too bad. seems to be on the first few threads. Enough where I cant get the beginning of the bolts in.

 

I've never attached running boards, but can you access the back of the nut and thread a bolt that way first to clear out the threads? If so, then you can put some anti seize on there and you'll be good to go.

 

Got them on. Just ended up cleaning and forced them in with a socket. Took a while but finally on.

Thanks everyone..

 

Tap it. I Installed a set of brand new OEM roof racks a few weeks ago and well one of the tapped holes wasn't done correctly and had a few spurs that were destroying the screw. I bought the correct sized tap and some replacement screws, tapped it and the new screws went right in with no problems

 

Glad you Got 'er Done! If the steps suit your purposes, enjoy them.

 

I ended up knocking one of the tread inserts up into the body of the truck. The steps I was putting on had two holes on each bracket, so I got a short but thick self tapping screw from work and snugged it up.