Running board for winter climate

bassheadhemi · May 20, 2017

Does such thing exist?

I have (had) some Ionic running board that I purchase in May 2015. Even after a 2nd set of bracket that I had powder coated by a local shop the bracket rusted and the hardware is completely junk after 2 winters. I also had to fix the rocker panel in some spot since the rust started to spread in them...

I need something to help my 7yo and wife to get in the truck, but I don't feel like spending another 700$ (yes in Canada a 400$ USD running board cost that much) on something that will need to be changed in a year or two and damage my truck more.

Are the Mopar one the only solution? I was looking at the Westin HDX, but there's many report that the powder coating is flaking after a few months... The AMP powerstep are garbage with our climate.

bassheadhemi · May 21, 2017

Well I decided to try something. Since my boards are still in decent shape, I've order the Dee Zee bracket kit (DZ16336). I know they are not the same brand as my Ionic, but from the picture and video I saw they should work and look much better than what I had. Let's hope they come in undamaged, some comments on Amazon say that they are not box well and get damaged... Worse case I'll return them.

jasonw · May 21, 2017

My factory running boards have now been through two nasty midwest winters, and no signs of any problems. How often do you wash your truck in the winter? I wash mine once a month at a heated car wash, and make sure and get the boards underneath (and the undercarriage as much as possible), to get at least some of the road salt off. Seems to keep rust away quite well.

Sir John · May 21, 2017

My oem step bars are aluminum and the brackets have plastic covers that cover most of the bracket. Other than washing the salt off often, like the guy above said, have you tried spraying them down with something like fluid film?

joeygster · May 21, 2017

I've got the Westin HDX Drop Steps have been through one Ontario winter & the powder coating is still intact.

I used Corrosion Free rustproofing spray on the steps & brackets to help fight the salt & brine solution that they use so much on our roadways.

An aluminum option that I liked the look of was the Aries Advantage.
https://www.realtruck.com/aries-black-advantedge-running-boards/

LB3711 · May 21, 2017

i have OEM boards on mine since new and 6 years of salt they still look the same as new.

bassheadhemi · May 21, 2017

Yeah if the deezee bracket doesn't work I think the safe solution will be to get the factory ones.

The truck got wash once a week and is rust proofed before winter. I used fluid film on the brackets and hardware... Everything else is rust free except for those brackets and hardware.

bassheadhemi · May 22, 2017

joeygster said:
I've got the Westin HDX Drop Steps have been through one Ontario winter & the powder coating is still intact.

I've ordered the HDX after viewing your thread about them, but like I said I've read 2 comments on different sites about the powder coating chipping off so I cancelled the order. Too bad because I was really digging them.

The ARIES board are aluminium, but they have steel bracket. What I like about the DeeZee brackets is that like your HDX they use the same factory holes and are braced so there's no chance of them flexing.

Galadaeros · May 22, 2017

In the past (on my F150 boards) I have used rocker guard. It made the boards extremely durable and I had no rust issues at all. They survived Alberta winters year after year.

joeygster · May 22, 2017

bassheadhemi said:
I've ordered the HDX after viewing your thread about them, but like I said I've read 2 comments on different sites about the powder coating chipping off so I cancelled the order. Too bad because I was really digging them.

View attachment 87967

The ARIES board are aluminium, but they have steel bracket. What I like about the DeeZee brackets is that like your HDX they use the same factory holes and are braced so there's no chance of them flexing.

Thanks for the info....I'll have to keep an close eye on mine.

bassheadhemi · May 25, 2017

Well that sucks...

So the amazon comments were right... It's going back

bigolayne · May 25, 2017

Another option for you would be the Magnum RT steps...

joeygster · May 26, 2017

bassheadhemi said:
I've ordered the HDX after viewing your thread about them, but like I said I've read 2 comments on different sites about the powder coating chipping off so I cancelled the order. Too bad because I was really digging them.

View attachment 87967

I'm very surprised at Westin not honoring their 3 year warranty based on that picture.
Warranty Policy | Westin Automotive

My steps got some rust on the mounting screws/nuts for the actual step plate over the winter. There are three screws/nuts per plate step.

I contacted Westin & after sending them a picture of the rusting screws they sent me a new hardware kit.

This time the screws/nuts are stainless steel. The install instructions mention that the existing hardware was prone to rusting.

I posted about it on this thread so everyone who has them could get the new hardware set. Any more recent purchases of the Drop Steps have the new hardware set included with instructions on replacing the old ones that are already installed.

joeygster · May 26, 2017

bigolayne said:
Another option for you would be the Magnum RT steps...

Some people on the forums have complained about those rusting as well.

If mine start rusting after the warranty is up, I'll probably remove them & get them Linex'd....I've seen that done a few times with other running boards.

Hemi395 · May 26, 2017

I have Nasta stainless running boards. All the brackets and hardware are 100% stainless steel. I put a liberal coat of Fluid Film between where the brackets meet the rockers. Unfortunately it seems Nasty went out of business...

bassheadhemi · May 31, 2017

Do you guys know if 82213273ac is the most current Mopar black running board?

Wise · May 31, 2017

Id steer clear of the magnum. They look good but after one winter and just the wrong side of their one year warranty they have chalked up looking gray and have rust spots.

Fyredude · May 31, 2017

Mine have been through 1 winter. No issues so far. I went with the Magnum RT's. Love the look and the steps.

Wise · May 31, 2017

I wish mine would've held up as well as yours did

Fyredude · May 31, 2017

If it comes a time when they start to show wear and or rust I'll repaint them with this! It's tough and has lasted 3 winter's with no chips! I used it on my winter rims. Just have to make sure it's prepared properly!

Running board for winter climate

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