The Ford Barn

KR Berhow · 11-02-2023, 07:16 PM

Taking on project for a friend to finish his 32 fiberglass 5 window. Looking for parts and info on how to mount the running boards. They are bare with no brackets on the underside. Are supports available for these? All I can find is the frame brackets! Any help appreciated
Thanks KR

Lanny · 11-02-2023, 09:08 PM

Hi KR, Karl Wescott is a member here on the Ford Barn, and he
would be the guy to get some advice from.
I think this is a current number of Wescott Auto 1-800-523-6279

.

Karl Wescott · 11-03-2023, 08:20 AM

We may have made a few fiberglass 1932 running boards in the late 1950's but have not for many many years. It is almost impossible to install effective bracing in a 1932 running board and not have it show visually on the outside.

The best strategy for a 1932 board is to make it thick enough (and strong enough) so braces are not needed. This would be at least 1/4" to about 9/32" thick. While it may be strong enough to be stepped on without breaking it WILL flex.

If your boards are stock shape and size, but not robust enough consider the available rubber covered boards (both Drake and Vintique seem to be good), or smooth steel boards (note: do not use an "un-covered" steel board, a smooth board size must be compensated for the lack of the rubber cover). I can refer you to a couple of people who should be able to make a custom size smooth board.

KR Berhow · 11-03-2023, 05:52 PM

Thanks Lanny ! Looks like Karl will be my go-to guy ?

KR Berhow · 11-03-2023, 05:57 PM

Karl ,
Thanks for the reply ! I have the painted boards , just not sure the type of brace needed on the underside ? Lots of 31s for sale , but not sure on 32 configuration. Frame brackets but no under board supports? I think fasteners bolts showing may be OK ?
Thanks ! KR

1931 flamingo · 11-04-2023, 10:35 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

When I had my 32 I never stepped on the boards.
5 window Honduras Maroon w/white boards.
Paul in CT

Krylon32 · 11-04-2023, 11:57 AM

Brookville also makes good rubber covered boards. When I first started building 32's I used glass fenders but thought the painted glass or painted steel boards were a pain in the butt. I always stepped up for covered metal boards, just a better deal. Painted boards are kind of an 80's thing.

KR Berhow · 11-05-2023, 07:37 PM

Thanks to all replies ! Everything is painted a very nice metallic tangerine. ( street rod)
Boards are pretty heavy so may try fitment without under bracing .
Thanks again ! KR

Lanny · 11-05-2023, 09:51 PM

KR, one of my old hotrods years ago had glass running boards and they
were not very strong.
A artist/sign painter friend said, lets paint a small "cartoon" on each board.

So he painted a young lady wearing Big Hi Heels, on the passenger board,
with a caption that said, "NO Step".
He did about the same thing on the driver side board with cartoon of a guy
with Big tennis shoes on, also with a caption that said "No Step"

The boards looked good till the day I sold it a few years later...

.

KR Berhow · 11-06-2023, 02:53 PM

Lanny . Good idea! Love it !
Thanks KR

11-02-2023, 07:16 PM	#1
KR Berhow Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 5	Fiberglass 32 running boards Taking on project for a friend to finish his 32 fiberglass 5 window. Looking for parts and info on how to mount the running boards. They are bare with no brackets on the underside. Are supports available for these? All I can find is the frame brackets! Any help appreciated Thanks KR

11-02-2023, 09:08 PM	#2
Lanny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mn Posts: 2,411	Re: Fiberglass 32 running boards Hi KR, Karl Wescott is a member here on the Ford Barn, and he would be the guy to get some advice from. I think this is a current number of Wescott Auto 1-800-523-6279 . __________________ If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. But if daddy ain't happy...RUN Last edited by Lanny; 11-03-2023 at 12:20 PM.

11-03-2023, 08:20 AM	#3
Karl Wescott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,289	Re: Fiberglass 32 running boards We may have made a few fiberglass 1932 running boards in the late 1950's but have not for many many years. It is almost impossible to install effective bracing in a 1932 running board and not have it show visually on the outside. The best strategy for a 1932 board is to make it thick enough (and strong enough) so braces are not needed. This would be at least 1/4" to about 9/32" thick. While it may be strong enough to be stepped on without breaking it WILL flex. If your boards are stock shape and size, but not robust enough consider the available rubber covered boards (both Drake and Vintique seem to be good), or smooth steel boards (note: do not use an "un-covered" steel board, a smooth board size must be compensated for the lack of the rubber cover). I can refer you to a couple of people who should be able to make a custom size smooth board.

11-03-2023, 05:52 PM	#4
KR Berhow Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 5	Re: Fiberglass 32 running boards Thanks Lanny ! Looks like Karl will be my go-to guy ?

11-03-2023, 05:57 PM	#5
KR Berhow Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 5	Re: Fiberglass 32 running boards Karl , Thanks for the reply ! I have the painted boards , just not sure the type of brace needed on the underside ? Lots of 31s for sale , but not sure on 32 configuration. Frame brackets but no under board supports? I think fasteners bolts showing may be OK ? Thanks ! KR

11-04-2023, 10:35 AM	#6
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Fiberglass 32 running boards Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) When I had my 32 I never stepped on the boards. 5 window Honduras Maroon w/white boards. Paul in CT

11-04-2023, 11:57 AM	#7
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,489	Re: Fiberglass 32 running boards Brookville also makes good rubber covered boards. When I first started building 32's I used glass fenders but thought the painted glass or painted steel boards were a pain in the butt. I always stepped up for covered metal boards, just a better deal. Painted boards are kind of an 80's thing.

11-05-2023, 07:37 PM	#8
KR Berhow Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 5	Re: Fiberglass 32 running boards Thanks to all replies ! Everything is painted a very nice metallic tangerine. ( street rod) Boards are pretty heavy so may try fitment without under bracing . Thanks again ! KR

11-05-2023, 09:51 PM	#9
Lanny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mn Posts: 2,411	Re: Fiberglass 32 running boards KR, one of my old hotrods years ago had glass running boards and they were not very strong. A artist/sign painter friend said, lets paint a small "cartoon" on each board. So he painted a young lady wearing Big Hi Heels, on the passenger board, with a caption that said, "NO Step". He did about the same thing on the driver side board with cartoon of a guy with Big tennis shoes on, also with a caption that said "No Step" The boards looked good till the day I sold it a few years later... . __________________ If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. But if daddy ain't happy...RUN

11-06-2023, 02:53 PM	#10
KR Berhow Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 5	Re: Fiberglass 32 running boards Lanny . Good idea! Love it ! Thanks KR