Running boards

[Mark Rogers]

I'm looking for some running boards for my NV 3500 passenger van.  This caught my attention because of how inexpensive it is: http://a.co/3wqXgZd

 

I'm looking for any opinions/advice to steer me in the right direction.  Are the cheap running boards worth trying?

 

Thank you!

Edited May 31, 2017 by Mark Rogers

[ASD Dad]

There are not a lot of choices out there which is weird since this van sees a lot of shuttle duty commercially.  I know a lot like the Luverne steps and we're looking at those to make it easier for my parents and in-laws to get in and out.  My kids just scramble in and jump out!  There are a few others but all are/were around the same price.  

 

One downside is the NV's require drilling.  All my past trucks had brackets that bolted right on no matter what brand you picked.  There were factory studs or threaded weld nuts that were installed to make it super easy.  The NV instructions for the Luverne's at least require drilling through the pinch weld and also into the rockers.  

[mk1_62]

Those look identical to mine, there is no drilling g required, but I will say the very back of the passenger side needs another bracket added to what they send you.

[ASD Dad]

Those look identical to mine, there is no drilling g required, but I will say the very back of the passenger side needs another bracket added to what they send you.

 

Where did you get yours?  All the models I've seen require some sort of drilling which I'd like to avoid if possible.  Where did you get another bracket?

[mk1_62]

Steelcraft stx600 from autoanything. I never added the rear bracket, only my kids step back there.

[Mark Rogers]

Thanks, everyone.  I ordered the cheap ones and I'll give them a try.

[Pharomommy]

We put Luverne on ours and did the 2 long ones. Here is my blog post about it, we installed them ourselves too.

 

http://veganrunnermommy.blogspot.com/2016/10/luverne-running-boards-for-nissan-nv.html

[Mark Rogers]

That's a great video!

[radin2son]

Liked the video and the recipes. Always looking for nutritious meals to talk traveling.

[Pharomommy]

That's a great video!

 

 

Liked the video and the recipes. Always looking for nutritious meals to talk traveling.

 

 

Thanks everyone!!

[Mark Rogers]

I got the SteelCraft running boards.  I installed the passenger-side board last night and found that the rear bracket doesn't provide nearly enough support (Just like mk1_62 described earlier in this thread).  The brackets and board are very sturdy themselves, but the rear bracket only bolts to horizontal surfaces.  The other brackets bolt to both horizontal and vertical surfaces.  As a result, the sheet metal in the van's body flexes considerably whenever I step on the board near the rear bracket.

 

I sent a message to SteelCraft, asking if they have a solution.  I suspect it would require a redesigned rear bracket that may require drilling for installation.  I'd be fine with that, but I don't know where to get a better bracket.

[CaptainLarry]

Mark, Keep us posted and send photos.  I'm still on the hunt. I did get a $653 quote from Radco for long/long arrangement, but I'm holding out on spending that much.  Did you find if TAC had a long/long option?

 

Larry

[Mark Rogers]

Larry,

 

I didn't look for any long/long options.  Since people can only see one side of the van at a time, I don't really care if they match or not.   :)

 

Here's a photo of the passenger side running board from Steelcraft Automotive:

 

 

I haven't installed the driver-side board yet.  I'm currently communicating with Steelcraft about the mounting issue.  The rear end of the passenger-side board sags about 1.5 inches when I step on it (distance between ground and running board, compared to when I'm standing on the step above the running board).  The van body is flexing, not the board or bracket.  I'm worried about causing metal fatigue in the body.  I'm hoping their R&D people will come up with a solution.

 

Mark

[Mark Rogers]

After some discussion with Steelcraft Automotive, they agreed to send me a fifth bracket for the passenger side running board.  The red arrow shows where I mounted it:

 

 

The bracket is identical to the #3 bracket. There's no hole in that location for the upper bolt. I considered drilling one, but it feels very secure with just the lower bolt, so I didn't bother.

 

The fifth bracket made a huge improvement in the strength and stability of the running board!  I'm really happy with the outcome.

Edited June 16, 2017 by Mark Rogers

[mk1_62]

Mark, can you give me the name of the person you talked to? Brad at replaprints com

[jdarriaga]

Did anyone buy the TAC  brand running boards have pics or input of the quality of them? Thinking of buying themvfor NVP2017

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EZE1EW4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_YKUlzb03NQMDH?pldnSite=1