apex running board delete?

[kingtut]

It has been known for ages that our running boards well to be blunt suck really badly. There are aftermarket kits that go over our existing running boards to add traction and support like the ones muffin works sells. That is a great option but what about at the end of the day where there is snow and ice built up? Unlike the Nytro we can't just cut off the running boards and slap on some new ones with larger gaps and larger teeth to bite our boots. Don't even forget that those running boards are more supportive to our beat up tunnels. We apex owners have running board coolers in the way to chop them off. Now the solution is to relocate them somewhere? I believe I have seen a kit where it removes the coolers and relocates them on the outside wall of the running board making the cooler and the runner one? If the Nytro, viper, and phazer don't need running board coolers why do we?? Ideas? Thoughts? Concerns?

 

[Jonesynl]

I'm in the same boat as you. My boards suck in deep powder and I want new ones asap. But i dont know what to buy or do. I'm aure as hell not paying 700$ for boards and coolers.

 

[kingtut]

They could possibly be made out of aluminum. The problem with that is my idea of running the coolant through the outside wall of the running board is that it could become dented. So maybe a different metal that absorbs heat just as well as the old runinsured board coolers. If I had the tools I'd be fab ingredients this up as we speak.

 

[Jonesynl]

I found an amazing dealer. Search up EZ boards or snow eliminators, he does custom boards for 120$

 

[kingtut]

I found an amazing dealer. Search up EZ boards or snow eliminators, he does custom boards for 120$

With the EZ boards the snow can still pile up on the shovel our running boards are. I'm curious about the snow eliminators and what they do for the coolers on the regular boards

 

[Jonesynl]

Best idea would to be relocate the coolers back into the tunnel

 

[kingtut]

Best idea would to be relocate the coolers back into the tunnel

How does one do that?

 

[Jonesynl]

Beats me. I have thought of ways to do it but mine yet seem like they would work.

 

[kingtut]

The problem is that it is very tight spacing in there. Can they just be deleted, run a tube to a large rear cooler and back up front? What does the every other sled without them do? Hell some rmk's don't even have a front cooler.

 

[Jonesynl]

True and my buddy has a 2012 HCR 153 and is skidoo never runs hot. So that's a good point you have there

 

[kingtut]

Okay so my sled isn't being put together for the rest of the reason. Turbo needs to be sent out for service. What do I need to just bypass the running boards and go right to the rear cooler.

 

[Jonesynl]

There's a site online called fabcraft and they sell piping In 6 foot lengths for that reason but I'm picking up an old firecat 700 body tomorrow and getting the rear cooler, tunnel braces and the running boards have a 3/4 inch pipe that coolant runs in and I'm using that to make my new boards with this setup. Similar to skinz airframes but my coolant will run in my running boards to my rear cooler.

 

[kingtut]

There's a site online called fabcraft and they sell piping In 6 foot lengths for that reason but I'm picking up an old firecat 700 body tomorrow and getting the rear cooler, tunnel braces and the running boards have a 3/4 inch pipe that coolant runs in and I'm using that to make my new boards with this setup. Similar to skinz airframes but my coolant will run in my running boards to my rear cooler.

That U style is perfect as a replacement. I wonder if it has problems with bottoming out. Looks expensive to get welded.

 

[Jonesynl]

I'm starting to gather parts for my running board project and rear cooler, today I picked up the first important parts from a firecat 700, and I have no idea about the bottoming out question. Those pipes you see in the picture I uploaded will be the outside of my running boards, in which the coolant will flow through to the rear cooler. Will create a thread on this project when I get it all finish so you can see my work to get some idea for yourself

 

[kingtut]

I'll be giving them a call here soon. I work at an aluminum extrusion factory and I sure as hell won't be happy with buying 6061 alloy aluminum. It is the dirtiest alloy we use and it always comes out looking like garbo. If you can find a place that makes 6063 aluminum then go for it. Find out what temper it is too. T5s aren't as hard as t6s.