Adding drain holes to running boards?

[Gone Blue]

As I have been prepping my sled for the upcoming season, I noticed that there really isnt very many open drainage holes in the running boards. Since there is no heat exchangers under our running boards, snow does tend to build up and turn to ice. So I was thinking about drilling holes thru the reinforcement under the running boards to open up 6 holes per side for added drainage. I was using a socket to see how big of hole I could easily drill thru the reinforcement. It looks like I can drill 5/8" diameter holes.

Has anyone done this? If not, do you see any reason why I shouldnt drill some holes?

Thanks, G.B.

 

[cannondale27]

Good idea!As long as hole isnt by edge should be fine.

 

[xt_gt]

i noticed some improvement when i did mine. i didn't use a drill bit from top. i used a hole saw from bottom to cut out enough around the "diamond" hole.

 

[greenthumb]

I did exactly what you are describing as well as an 1 1/2" hole between every diamond. Works just fine.

 

[Gone Blue]

i noticed some improvement when i did mine. i didn't use a drill bit from top. i used a hole saw from bottom to cut out enough around the "diamond" hole.

Oh cool, I like that better as you can drill a bigger hole from the bottom side. Thanks to all for your input and suggestions!

G.B.

 

[Redbeard]

I do not own a Phazer, but the title to this post caught my eye.

There is a guy on a vintage sled website that manufactures dimple die's to reinforce the kind of holes you are needing to drill. Check this link out!!

http://vintagesleds.com/classifieds/cla ... dimple+die

 

[Gone Blue]

I do not own a Phazer, but the title to this post caught my eye.

There is a guy on a vintage sled website that manufactures dimple die's to reinforce the kind of holes you are needing to drill. Check this link out!!

http://vintagesleds.com/classifieds/cla ... dimple+die

Hmmm, that is pretty cool I have to say. Thanks for the link!

G.B.

 

[xt_gt]

the guy that northernsledder is talking about is legit. (don't know him at all, just saying)
i bought 1 of the dies couple years ago to do my '80 exciter boards.

 

[Cubby]

I just ran across these: http://www.roxspeedfx.com/cgi-bin/cart/ ... s_id=10076

Bigger holes and traction.

 

[Super Sled]

Are you sure those aren't coolers? They are on Apexes and Vipers (my experience) is why I ask.

Other wise if they are just sheet metal or aluminum, I say drill away.

Yamaha has always left alot to be desired with snow evacuition on the running boards.

Another option is wholly different running boards (like airframes) or cut outs (like betters boards or WRP boards).

 

[yamahas]

The running boards are not coolers, we get a lot of snow build up. Its a good point though.

 

[marpolsdofer]

Phazer do have a cooler but its part of the tunnel. There is rivets holding it in place. It use to separate the engine bay and tunnel. Someone could remove it and replace it with sheet metal but I dont know how well the cooling system would work. It would eliminate icing there.

Others sleds have there addition coolers under the tunnel or running boards.