03' running boards....changing to 05' width

[Trxster]

Ok, heading to Revy next Wednesday. Sunday I had a bad cup of coffee and was bored and decided it was time that I do something about the horribly narrow and rounded edges of my running boards. I have slipped off in the powder countless times on my RX (and really bruised my leg up)but when I hop on the Vector Mt it was perfect. So, what did I do?????

I decided to "unroll" my edges and do something about it. Got it unrolled and flattened out, then realized "what the heck am I doing 1 week before I leave???" So, ordered up some 05' Vector rails for $70 each and got those today. Traced out the wider shape and then cut it with a sawzall. Had to do some finessing (with a hammer) to get them to slide on but the right side is riveted in place and it is almost as good as new. Holds my weight fine, same amount of flex as my wife's Vector boards. I think this could maybe be some of the best money I have spent on it so far. I will post some pix when I can.

Then, next week I work on getting rid of the up top exhaust.

Rt

 

[Trxster]

Here are some pix....Looks good now that it is done.

T

 

[pro116]

Look's like I will have an upcoming project on my hands.
You said you ordered 05 vector rail grips but the 05 vector rails are narrow straight one's?

 

[Sled Dog]

Looks good, did the new ones just attach on with rivets? Thinking of doing this also.

 

[doo_man]

I had the same idea after seeing my cousins 05 RX-1 M limited edition. Do you have to roll out the edge or can you just cut it off?

 

[Trxster]

Sorry, it is the Vector Mountain rails...they are as shown for $70 from your dealer. The 05' RX1M's were like $120 and I don't know what the difference was. Regarding install....you do have to unroll the edge. You can see in the picture where the old rolled edge was...quite a bit narrower.

1 Drill edge caps
2 Unroll edge starting at the back a little at a time. You don't want the metal to rip
3 drill rivets in front support bracket (goes from edge to frame on outside of footwell)
4 place block on top of unrolled metal and hammer as flat as possible
5 set new rail in place and trace inside edges
6 Then measure out approx 1/4 inch and draw lines
7 Use sawzall to cut line
8 Straighten edge as good as possible with pliers or hammer
9 start installing edge at the front-tap in with hammer up front until flush
10 drill first hole and rivet
11 push rail in at back and hammer gently along length to make sure it is in all the way
12 drill next hole and rivet
13 keep working your way back like this until you are done


I also installed the rox sledtreads which were $40 for extra traction and strength...I would highly recommend them.

T

 

[Mikey]

I did the same unroll job but I used some offa 440 rev sno-x sled they have a crhomoly tube running inside the aluminum for added rigidity.