S-10 swappers: how did you mount your running boards?

[63 & 64 Bowties]

I was starting to remove my running board brackets, but I wonder if I can even use them. How did everyone mount the running boards to the S-10 frame?
thanks

[britnjc]

Mine was in the ad kit that i bought, you can go to their websit and get an idea on the design. But if I was making my own I would just get some 1x2 tubing welded to flat stock with bracing and bolt the to the frame. Just my opinion, hopefully others will chime in own their home made versions.

[BlueJeep]

I cut mine down and welded them right to the s10 frame.

[ClassicDreamer]

had mine fabbed to spec with flat stock

[Dan Bowles]

Originally Posted by britnjc

Mine was in the ad kit that i bought, you can go to their websit and get an idea on the design. But if I was making my own I would just get some 1x2 tubing welded to flat stock with bracing and bolt the to the frame. Just my opinion, hopefully others will chime in own their home made versions.

I had someone who bought a kit that didn't use it show me theirs. So I did just what britnjc calls for, 1 x 2 tube stock with flat stock with bolt holes and gussets.

[1952ssr]

Here is a picture on mine. I will take some closer ones for you tonight. Some I cut down and welded right to the frame others I made a flat piece to replace the cut off base to get a better welding area, though I don't think it really matters.

[texas56]

We cut ours down and welded them to the stock frame. Had to shorten a couple and notch that front one around bodymount. This is only pic I have here with me today but will try and remember to get you more. This was VERY tricky to get all the sheetmetal gaps and aligned when we mocked it up. Took several trys.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Thanks guys. I guess I better try to salvage those original brackets. It's just that the frame rivets are a major pain. My buddy has a plasma cutter, maybe I'll hit him up to borrow it.

[BlueJeep]

I blew the rivet heads off with a torch and popped the brackets with a 2 lb hammer and they fell right off, easy.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by BlueJeep

I blew the rivet heads off with a torch and popped the brackets with a 2 lb hammer and they fell right off, easy.

Thanks, I'll try that. I was thinking of the smoke wrench, but first I tried an air chisel, then the wiz wheel. I got two rivets off from the inside that way then punched them out, but whew, that was hard.

[Steve@OldSub.com]

When removing a bunch of rivets I've found variety in approach makes it less tedious. I'll chisel the heads off the easy ones, grind some and drill others. Then I'll drive them out the rivet with a long punch.

I don't like using a torch because I almost always end up cutting something I didn't intend to.

[nickp51chevy]

Originally Posted by BlueJeep

I cut mine down and welded them right to the s10 frame.

That's what I did also. Check out jeffs51chevy build page also. He had a great idea for mounting his. It should be in the first page or two.

[mylow53]

i heard you grind off the top and punch out the rivit...
Good luck
GT

[chevy49]

with a plasma cutter it is fast cut off heads on the inside and drive out the rivets with punch.

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by chevy49

with a plasma cutter it is fast cut off heads on the inside and drive out the rivets with punch.

I actually prefer the torch for things like this, because the head of the plasma is thicker and harder to get up close, so you end up having to gouge it out rather than slice it off....leading to more sparks shooting back at you. That's my opinion. And, I cut the heads off on the outside, that way I didn't have to drive out the part that was in the frame. Comes off easier that way, and since they need to be shortened to go on the s10 frame, it doesn't matter if you get into the bracket a little.

[Dan Bowles]

I bought a cab from a guy and the whole set were already off and in side...that's the EASIEST way to deal with those pesky rivets.

[1952ssr]

I ground the rivet heads off with a 3 1/2 grindin disk then hit with a hammer. But, strange thing I found was my '52 long bed and '47+/- rear frame portion the hangers from the '52 were longer than the other two. Here are some pictures, please don't make fun of my welding skill I am learning. Pictures are from front to back.