Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get some decent running boards for my truck for a while now. My old ones were, let’s just say, a little worse for wear. Finally pulled the trigger on these ARIES ActionTrac powered running boards, and boy, am I glad I did.
First off, I researched a ton of options online. I watched some installation videos on the internet, read reviews, the whole nine yards. These ActionTracs seemed like the best bet – automatic, sturdy, and they looked pretty darn good. And after some research, I decided to do it myself!
So, the boards arrived. Big box, lots of parts. Honestly, it was a little intimidating at first. I’m no mechanic, but I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. I started by laying everything out in the garage. Made sure I had all the parts, bolts, brackets, wiring, you name it.
Next, I got the truck up on jack stands. Safety first, right? Then, I crawled underneath and started removing the old, rusty running boards. Those things were a pain to get off. Lots of rust, seized bolts. I ended up using a ton of penetrating oil and a whole lot of elbow grease, and even broke a sweat!
Once the old ones were off, I started attaching the new brackets. The instructions were pretty clear, thankfully. It was mostly pictures, which is good for a guy like me. I bolted those brackets onto the truck’s frame, making sure everything was lined up and tightened down properly. I used a torque wrench to ensure the correct torque was applied.
Then came the fun part – mounting the actual boards. These things are heavy! I managed to lift them into place and loosely attach them to the brackets. Then I spent some time adjusting them, making sure they were level and aligned with the truck body.
Wiring was next. I’m not gonna lie, this part was a bit tricky. I had to locate the power source and route the wires properly. I don’t have much experience in electrics, but I managed. I connected everything according to the instructions, using wire connectors and electrical tape. Took my time, double-checked everything. Didn’t want to fry anything!
After that, I lowered the truck back down, took it off the jack stands. Now, time to test them out! I opened the door, and whoosh! The boards automatically extended. Closed the door, and they retracted. So cool! They feel super solid too, no wobbling or anything.
I spent the rest of the day cleaning up the mess I made in the garage. Tools everywhere, grease, you know how it goes. Put all the tools back to where they belong.
My Final Thoughts:
- Are these ARIES ActionTrac boards worth it? Absolutely.
- Installation was a bit of a challenge, but totally doable for a DIYer.
- These things are awesome. They look great, and they make getting in and out of the truck so much easier.
- I am very satisfied with this modification.
If you’re thinking about getting these, I’d say go for it. Just be prepared for a bit of work. But hey, that’s half the fun, right?
