Cutting out the running boards

[powder Head]

I bought some better boards and need to cut out the boards to install. Tried my compresor and cutting tool, not enough juice. Tried the drill with the same cutting tool work alright 15 minutes to get 10 inches. Tried a jig saw with a steeal cutting blade. Blade was too short, I have heard of plasma but have no clue what that is. Help please, I should have done this a month ago, silly me......................

 

[Rixster]

I used my sawzall. Worked great, just be carefull and take your time. It will cut faster than you want it to and you can get into trouble fast.

 

[backonthedarkside]

I used an air body panel saw worked great!

 

[modsledr]

Steve,

Put the power tools down and slowly walk away from the workbench!!!!!

 

[finerotax]

Sawsall works great..........

 

[CATillak]

it took me like 3 days to cut the slots in my boars with a pneumatic cutting wheel haha, i would get tired and bored fast.. summer mods gotta love em. i also went thru 4 wheels.

a plasma cutter would be fast and nice... but you gotta put in the man hours n elbow grease if u want it nice. good luck

 

[PLUMR]

I used a 4 1/4 angle grinder. Drilled the corners and cut from underneath. Went real fast.

 

[H20SKE]

High speed air cutting wheel up front in a 90 degree in one corner--then the same in the back---Then the sawzall with a good blade--should take about 15 minutes tops to do both sides. That is just the cutting.

Go get them powder Head !!!

I thought you were banned from power tools---LOL

I have done 3 sets so far and 1 more coming on Christmas day.


H20SKE...

 

[graveler]

Steve,

Put the power tools down and slowly walk away from the workbench!!!!!

and go get the chain saw!!!!!

 

[mountainbigbull]

I used a jig saw. I went through a few different type of blades before I found the best one. I found the best blades were the Skil brand fine cut metal blades worked the best. The trouble I had was the metal support brackets were tough to get through. Turned out good.

 

[Wade]

Plasma torch does a nice job, it leaves a real dull edge, you don't have to file off the sharp edges. To do a really good job with a plasma torch, you need to make a template, or have real steady hands.

 

[powder Head]

Thanks guys, tried the jig saw but the blade wasn't long enough, story of my life. Looks like I get to buy a new toy don't have a sawzall, will try it tomorrow. Thanks guys, I do like the chainsaw idea also..................

 

[Extreme-One]

Installed a set on my wife's nytro today. Took just over 2 hours using a plasma cutter, a grinder and drill to get the factory rivets out. Make sure you take your time, measure twice cut once! I'll have to post some pictures... they are the black powder coated better boards... Great fit and finish... nice thing was... I was able to use almost all the factory rivet holes... looks like they came from the factory installed.

Scott

 

[Ultra]

Use a jig saw and cut from the bottom, your blade will be long enough from the bottom. Also use a fine tooth metal blade like was mentioned above. Drill the corners. I have cut several tunnels.

 

[EricW]

Draw the cut outs with a magic marker and have the local welding shop take a plasma cutter to it. You'll want them to over cut the pattern by 3/16 or so so you dont see the cut edges. Job done in 5 mins. Watch out for brackets underneath though. Anywhere you see rivets in the floor board or tunnel, find out what they are holding. And if it's an Apex, just don't do it, antifreeze goes every where or so I'm told. Good luck. EW

Don't cut the rear suspension mounts:

 

[1M800]

I used a 4"angle grinder.

 

[76FOMOCO]

take the marker and do a rectangle from the first to the last hole in the boards and just make 1 big hole about a 1/4" larger than the holes in the better board. take a 1" hole saw and cut out the 4 corners, next take sawsall cut out rectangle drop boards in and mark rivits to be drilled out. drill and remove rivits and lay boards in drill 2 corners add rivits (holds boards in place), and drill out the rest of the holes and add rivits. 2 board should not take longer than 45 mins total. aprx 1.35 beers.

 

[02prox440]

and go get the chain saw!!!!!

LMFAO

 

[BackCountryBob]

Make sure you clamp the SE in place first and test to see if you boots clear the foot hold. I had to cut the first set of grippers own to get my boots to clear--and had to raise the loop as well.

Much easier before the final install to do the cut.

Like other said, drill the corners first---not sure you want to cut the support brackets.

 

[mountainbigbull]

I cut it all out, including the support brackets, it still strong enough.