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Technical 1940 Ford Bob Drake Running Boards

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by MrPhat40, May 4, 2017.

  1. MrPhat40
    Joined: Apr 30, 2007
    Posts: 92

    MrPhat40
    Member

    H.A.M.B'rs Have any of you 40 Ford lovers had experience with the Drake running boards?
    I have the opportunity to obtain a pair in exchange for my well used set. Just wanted to know of fitment issues and the like. As always I appreciate the vast knowledge and experience you folks possess.
    MrPhat40


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    LOU WELLS likes this.
  2. Used a set last year, fit was great.
     
    LOU WELLS and lothiandon1940 like this.
  3. I put a set on my coupe a little over a year ago. Great fit and a great product. I would recommend new bolts when ya do it, just because that makes the job easier.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  4. b-bob
    Joined: Nov 4, 2008
    Posts: 1,097

    b-bob
    Member

    I put a set on my 39 deluxe a few years ago and they were perfect.
     
    LOU WELLS likes this.

  5. The 39 guy
    Joined: Nov 5, 2010
    Posts: 3,524

    The 39 guy
    Member

    I put a set on my coupe in 2015. Fit great. Holding fine.
     
  6. Candfury
    Joined: Dec 14, 2014
    Posts: 23

    Candfury
    Member

    A quality product.
    I've had mine for about seven years and they still look great.
     
  7. Pewsplace
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 2,795

    Pewsplace
    Member

    Very nice boards.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  8. LOU WELLS
    Joined: Jan 24, 2010
    Posts: 2,754

    LOU WELLS
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from IDAHO

    I used them on my coupe and delivery when I retired and very happy with the fit and finish... SIEBERT 2014 016.JPG
     
  9. olscrounger
    Joined: Feb 23, 2008
    Posts: 4,770

    olscrounger
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Have used maybe 7-8 sets. They are very nice boards. Only issue was at front where they turn down on fender there can be a gap at the bottom--easy to tweak to fit. New bolts help and look right when looking in the back wheel well.
     
    lothiandon1940 and LOU WELLS like this.
  10. CharlieLed
    Joined: Feb 21, 2003
    Posts: 2,463

    CharlieLed
    Member

    Bringing up an old post but I have been getting emails from Drake advertising his "new" running boards with vulcanized rubber pads. For those of you who have responded to this post...are your running boards "vulcanized" or are the pads glued in place? Thanks...
    (My running boards are in fairly good shape and I have a new set of pads/covers but if the "new" Drake boards are really that much better I may have to consider shelling out the $$$ and buying a set)
     
  11. They are all vulcanized if they are from Drake.
     
  12. i.rant
    Joined: Nov 23, 2009
    Posts: 4,301

    i.rant
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. 1940 Ford

    Have them on mine also,quality fit and finish.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  13. The Vulcanized boards is the only way to go, the after market glue on covers never look or fit correctly. HRP

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2018
  14. If you want them to look good avoid the cheap replacement caps.

    64-20002.jpg
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  15. okiedokie
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 4,778

    okiedokie
    Member
    from Ok

    Yes on vulcanized.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  16. CharlieLed
    Joined: Feb 21, 2003
    Posts: 2,463

    CharlieLed
    Member

    OK...so I get the message, vulcanized is better. Now here is my situation, I have OEM running boards that are in great shape and have been sandblasted and epoxy primed. The car came with a set of covers that I believe are about 10 years old. I mention the age since there may be a difference in quality over the years. As seen in the photo the replacement cover is sitting on the running board...this is just a pre-fit mockup. I was concerned about whether the covers would clean up after all these years...I think that they look good even without silicone sprays or other coatings. Fit seems to be perfect. I bought some 3M Windo-Weld to glue these covers in place, I saw a video of a guy using this adhesive and it looked like a much better technique than contact cement. The Mac's covers that HRP posted a pic of cost over $311...doesn't seem "cheap" to me but maybe there is something about them once they are installed that makes them look cheaper than they cost. I would love to have a set of the new Drake boards but $1275 + shipping is a lot of cash to spend on what I see as only a nominal improvement. Am I missing anything?
    40 Ford Running Board.jpg
     
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  17. okiedokie
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 4,778

    okiedokie
    Member
    from Ok

    Look good to me, use em.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  18. Wait for one of Bob's annual sells if you want the vulcanized boards, if not use what you got. HRP
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  19. Johnboy34
    Joined: Jul 12, 2011
    Posts: 1,588

    Johnboy34
    Member
    from Seattle,Wa

    I'm in the use'em bunch. They look good, you can always spend more money and buy the others.

    Sent from my SM-G900V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  20. if it's not on Back order... seems like everything I inquire about on the web sites seems "out of stock"
    The running boards they make are really nice and worth the bucks spent for sure... like hotrodprimer
    said wait for the annual sale.
     
  21. enjenjo
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 2,689

    enjenjo
    Member
    from swanton oh

    I've used the window weld in the past. Here's a tutorial on using it
     
  22. i.rant
    Joined: Nov 23, 2009
    Posts: 4,301

    i.rant
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. 1940 Ford

    They look fine,I suppose the trick is in the installation Good luck.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  23. CharlieLed
    Joined: Feb 21, 2003
    Posts: 2,463

    CharlieLed
    Member

    enjenjo...your Stude video was the one I watched on YouTube. I have a few questions:
    Did you use the 3M primer on your boards prior to applying the windo-weld?
    What was the purpose in using the torch on the underside of the mats?
    I have done a bit of testing and found that the bond is a lot stronger when using the primer so I am going that route. I was also wondering if you could get an even distribution of adhesive on the board using that spreader? I thought that maybe a very fine tooth trowel would work well
     
    neilswheels likes this.
  24. neilswheels
    Joined: Aug 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,213

    neilswheels
    Member
    from England

    A couple of friends have used the covers, need alot of clamps and planning, but they look great. May need to fill the steel to get a nice shape for the covers.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  25. neilswheels
    Joined: Aug 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,213

    neilswheels
    Member
    from England

    If you do this, id be really interested in seeing what you do, its also one of those jobs i've got in my future..
    40 boards aren't as smooth as those, they will need work to get a nice shape for the rubber.

    Some good info on how to fit here
    https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1938-39-40-sloper-custom.1210500/page-23
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2024
    lothiandon1940 likes this.

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