How to Avoid Common Purchasing & Installation Mistakes for Ford F-150 Side Step Bars & Running Boards

Do you want a little extra help getting into your lifted Ford F-150? Or perhaps you want to install some running boards to prevent someone from swinging their door right into your fresh paint job? If so, you'll want to avoid some common mistakes that we see enthusiasts make all the time. After all, you don't want to drill in the wrong place or compromise your rig for future modifications, do you? So, stick around and learn more about the common purchasing and installation mistakes for Ford F-150 side steps and running boards in this guide.

Common Purchasing Mistakes to Avoid for Ford F-150 Side Steps and Running Boards

There are a handful of mistakes you need to avoid before you even consider buying Ford F-150 side steps and running boards. We take you through some of the most common examples below.

Choosing the Wrong Part

The biggest mistake that you can make is choosing the wrong part. Side steps and running boards have a few key differences, so choosing one over the other without knowing what you’re getting is a recipe for disaster. Typically, you'll find that side steps are smaller and less cumbersome. This makes them a great choice for off-road builds, especially if you need the extra clearance. Running boards, on the other hand, give you more stepping space and run along the entire length of the cab. While this is great for getting into your truck and protecting it in parking lots, it's not ideal for off-roading. Make sure you consider which design suits your needs, and consider your future vision too.

Going with Cheap Over Quality

We get it, we all want to save a buck here and there, but when it comes to messing with your truck, you don't want to settle on the cheapest parts. Some budget-friendly options are great, but avoid choosing a part solely based on its cost. Side steps tend to cost less than running boards, but if you need running boards, don't just go with side steps because they're cheaper. Now, if you do plan on going with side steps, make sure budget-friendly options are well-made, like RedRock HD Drop Side Step Bars, which are made with heavy-duty steel.

Common Installation Mistakes to Avoid for Ford F-150 Side Steps and Running Boards

Knowing how to purchase side steps and running boards for your Ford F-150 is only half the battle. You also need to know how to install them properly, and there are some costly mistakes you can end up making. We cover them in detail below.

Failing to Clean Mounting Points

Whether you need to drill new holes or you plan on using your F-150’s factory mounting points, you need to make sure your work area is clean. If anything is rusted or corroded, or if there’s a bunch of dirt in the way, good luck getting your running board or side step to stay in place. In fact, they can become a liability that results in injury if they snap. Plus, they can damage your truck’s paint, doors, or other accessories you have along the cabin.

Failing to Measure Properly

You also need to measure everything properly. Like the saying goes, “Measure twice, cut once.” At the end of the day, you need to make sure that the running boards or side steps will fit properly. Ford F-150s have different cab lengths, and you need to account for that, so make sure you start by getting a part that's designed for your specific cabin. This becomes an even bigger problem if you plan on drilling. Some options may require it, but if you want to avoid that risk altogether (which is always a smart move), it's a good idea to go with bolt-ons. So, if you want to avoid drilling altogether, you can always opt for something like Barricade Rattler Running Boards, which don't require any drilling.

Not Using Mounting Hardware Properly

This is going to sound like something that won’t happen to you, but sometimes it's easy to put brackets in the wrong location. Lots of brackets look the same, so it's actually easy to mistakenly attach something to the wrong spot. If this happens, your running board or side step may be a little crooked or, worse, unstable. For these reasons, we always recommend reading the instructions thoroughly for the best results.

Avoid Making Mistakes with Ford F-150 Running Boards and Side Step Bars

We covered a lot of mistakes already, but there are also a lot of little things that you need to prepare for. This is where our sales techs swoop in to save the day. Before you slap anything on your truck, talk to our sales techs for more help finding the best Ford F-150 side steps and running boards.