How to Put Running Boards on Truck? | Step-by-Step DIY

You don’t need a shop lift to install running boards. Most kits are built around factory holes, and figuring out how to put running boards on a truck comes down to one sequence: mount the brackets, set the board, align, then tighten. That sequence holds whether you’re fitting a basic set or a powered board; the difference is wiring and time.

What’s In The Kit And What You’ll Need

Most running board kits include the boards themselves, front/center/rear brackets for each side, and the bolts, washers, and nuts that hold everything together. The exact bracket count and hardware differ by make, model, and cab style, so the instruction manual is the first thing to read, not the last.

Before starting, confirm whether your truck has factory-drilled or pre-threaded mounting holes under the rocker panel. If it does, the kit’s bolt plates slide directly into those holes and you can skip drilling. If not, you’ll need a drill and the manufacturer’s hole locations. If you’re still choosing a set, our tested truck steps and running boards roundup shows what fits common trucks.

Installing Running Boards On A Truck: The Order That Works

The whole job comes down to one order: attach the brackets to the truck finger-tight, set the board on the brackets, check alignment, then tighten all hardware. Final tightening happens only after the board is centered and level.

1. Read the instructions and stack the brackets by position: front, center, rear. Swapping the middle and rear brackets is a common slip.
2. Insert any bolt plates into the factory holes, then attach the front, center, and rear brackets loosely with the supplied hardware.
3. Set the running board on top of the brackets and feed the board bolts through the slots. RealTruck’s running board installation guide walks this exact sequence in photo detail.
4. Check that the board is even front-to-rear and doesn’t interfere with the doors, body lines, or clearance under the rocker panel.
5. Once everything is aligned, tighten the bracket bolts, then the board bolts. Don’t over-tighten; one guide warns that excessive force can bend or warp parts.

Powered boards are the exception. They add a wiring harness to the same mechanical steps, and if the truck’s electrical system needs modules or sensors integrated, professional installation is the safer call.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Fully tightening one side before verifying the board’s position and symmetry.
• Skipping the manual, which is how front and rear brackets get misidentified and holes land in the wrong place.
• Reusing old brackets when replacing running boards. One of the guides advises new brackets for safety, so don’t carry old hardware over.

What If Your Truck Has No Factory Holes?

Then drilling is part of the job, but only per the manufacturer’s instructions. AmericanTrucks’ how-to says to use factory-drilled holes when they’re present and to drill using the kit’s own directions when they aren’t. Dee Zee’s instructions take the same path: bracket installation first, alignment second.

After drilling, protect any exposed bare metal so it doesn’t rust. If the thought of drilling into your rocker panel makes you uncomfortable, or the kit includes powered wiring, this is the point where a professional install is worth the money.