I decided to move the tool box on my 1924 Touring (converted to a pickup) from the driver's side to the passenger's side running board. When I did this, I got an unfortunate surprise - the body shop didn't smooth the rear part of the driver's side running board prior to paint, I guess they figured the toolbox would cover it so it would never be seen.
So, now I'm looking for a new running board, but all the vendors seem to only sell them as a pair. Does anybody know of a vendor that will sell me just one running board?
Why don't you get the body shop to weld and pretty up the holes and use what you have? Sound like they would be painting a new one if you bought one.
Thanks for the reply. Well, that's a possibility too, I'll have to give it a close look-over to make sure it isn't too thin in the pitted area to be trustworthy. Would the required skim coat of filler be strong enough to withstand being stepped on?
The filler might stand being stepped on if there's enough steel left under it to support the weight. But if the steel is rusted thin I wouldn't trust it.
Try these. A couple of them are likely to have it and a couple are real long shots, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Model T Haven, KS (620) 365-6709 modelthaven@nautilus.net
Ron Paetz, Lone Pine Enterprises, WI (608) 604-7534 lonepine@mwt.net
Julius & Marvin Neunhoffer, TX (830) 257-8168 9hoffer@maverickbbs.com
Virgil Uhlman, KS (316) 774-2533
Bob Hagelgantz, KS (785) 731-5285 loah@gbta.net
John Danuser, MO (573) 642-2473 danuser88@socket.net
Steve, thanks for the reply and PM, I'll start checking around with them after the 4th of July holiday.
That's an interesting choice to move it to the passenger side. Must curious as to the reason? Seems like it'd be in the way.
Dan -- They're much more convenient to use when they're on the passenger's side.
It's mounted well aft on the running board, so it doesn't get in the way while climbing in & out of the car. I moved it for two reasons:
1 - Safety - If I have to do a roadside repair, I'd rather be on the shoulder opening the toolbox than on the traffic side
2 - Weight distribution - I sit on the left and my spare rim will soon be on the left hand running board, so I moved the toolbox to the passenger side to try and even out some of the weight.
Mark,
Can you swap the running boards so the toolbox will cover what it always has covered? On the 15 I did last year there were several extra holes. They were easy to weld up with a wire welder. I "prettied" up the welds, as well as some pits and other flaws revealed by sandblasting, with "Hi-temp lab metal" then had them powdercoated. The lab-metal is worked before it's cured just like bondo, but when it comes out of the oven it's steel. The powdercoating stands up to shoes better than paint!
Wish I'd thought of that - it's too late now, I already drilled holes and mounted the box on the passenger side running board. The old driver's side one is too thin at the back end to trust. I bit the bullet and ordered a new pair of running boards from Lang's yesterday. I did attach a note to my order asking them if they could sell me just a single running board, we'll see what they say.
Thanks everyone for your help.
Good used running boards are everywhere. Try posting an ad in the classifieds!