2000 Ford Explorer Sport Running board (step bars) replacement

[tbirdman]

Hello to all. Well after 10 years of ownership & 2 repaints/refinishes on my step bars/ running boards - the step bars on my 2000 Ford Explorer Sport finally rusted out. Since I enjoy the function of the step bar ( a.k.a. running boards) to access the roof rack and to assist with entrance/exit from the vehicle- I had to find something to replace the original rusted out step bars. With no luck in the aftermarket for this vehicle-I began cruising local dealerships with tape measure in hand and checking out the length of various styles of OEM step bars/ running boards. I finally settled on the step bars/running boards from a 2006-2011 Ford Ranger Super cab 4 door. The part number from the Ford accessories catalog is 7L5Z-16450-EA. This is an entire installation kit for a 2006-2011 Ford Ranger Super cab 4 door - including all brackets & bolts. For my 2000 Explorer Sport- I only needed the step bars & the bolts to attach the step bars to the existing Explorer Sport brackets. Remove the middle bracket-as the Ranger step bar has no provision for a middle bracket. The rear bracket was moved further to the rear by re-positioning the existing bracket rearward using existing mounting hardware. The front bracket stayed exactly where it was. With this set up- 3 of 4 step bar mounting bolts will line up with the existing Explorer Sport mounting brackets. After positioning & tightening in place-I am satisfied that the Ranger step bars will work well for my needs on my Explorer. And-they look stylish and practical-like they belong with the truck. I have enclosed pictures if you are wondering how it all looks finished up. Oh one more thing- shop around for that step bar kit. I bought from a local Ford dealer in my hometown but many of you in the USA should be able to get some great deals (check out Tasca Ford- they have great internet pricing !) Hope this proves useful to those of you who like me- needed a practical & functional replacement for the original painted step bars.

Take care everyone.

Addendum:

Note to all - after installing these step bars/running boards I was concerned about the number of unused bolt holes in each step bar. Each hole has a factory installed nutsert designed for use with the enclosed 8mm (M8) step bar mounting bolts. With four step bar mounting bolts used to mount the step bar to the existing Explorer Sport step bar mounting brackets-there remained a total of 8 unused mounting bolt locations per step bar and each of these had an M8 nutsert. Now-it's only a matter of time until water,road salt,mud etc. will find its way into these unused mounting bolt locations. And then - yes - once inside the step bar tubing - start rusting from the inside out. So - I purchased some M8 x 10MM set screws from a local hardware store (I needed 16 set screws - 8 per side). After removing the step bars- I coated the unused nutserts and the set screws with clear GE Silicone II and threaded them in. After some clean up & drying time - the step bars were mounted back in place and now we are ready to go. Now - I know it's not completely sealed up as the end caps will allow some moisture in - but it is certainly better then it was. I have enclosed a pic of the cap screw used. You could also use an M8 bolt- but I wanted to keep the step bar surface clean.

 

[pbnj22]

looks awesome!!! more pics of the rest of the truck the paint looks brand new! you said 2 repaints.. has it always been that color?

 

[4rd4life]

x2 they look great. i like them alot better then the grey stock ones, thees look a bit thinner

 

[tbirdman]

Thanks pbnj22 for your comments & enthusiasm ! Sorry for the misleading info- I meant to say 2 repaints on the step bars. Removed them when I first purchased in 2003 and had them refinished. Then in 2009- did it all over again. Finally-in 2013-they are just too costly to have refinished-so you see the results of what I chose to do instead. I hope these last for awhile to come. This Explorer has - & I hope will - continue to serve me well.

 

[JusTheUsual]

must not live in the rust belt....

 

[Dono]

speaking of rust belt, its nice to see another member from Saskatchewan!

You have done a great job of keeping your X clean and rust free. For the rest of you, Saskatchewan gets pelted really bad with snow and salt's used.

 

[tbirdman]

Thanks for your comments Dono. Sadly- rust never sleeps- hence why I had to replace these step bars /running boards with what you see here. The Explorer Sport still has some life in it yet- so I will try and keep the rust away ( and yes- it costs a small fortune at the car wash in the winter time ! ) But- the truck's a teenager now- and proving it can have a mind of it's own,too

Take care over there

 

[armankk]

congratulations for this adaptation, they were perfect, unfortunately here in Venezuela there is the variety of parts to consent to our big trucks ..

 

[blueka]

looking good... maybe cross paths one day!! Sask ain't THAT big haha


Si

 

[tbirdman]

Thanks blueka. Hey that sport of yours with the 5.0 conversion- that's truly an awesome upgrade. Good for you man. Your Sport is definitely ready for anything. Enjoy your ride, sir !

 

[blueka]

Thanks, whereabouts in Sask are you? I'm an hour away from Saskatoon...


Si

 

[tbirdman]

In Saskatoon Blueka. In fact- I'm sure I have seen your parts ads on Kijiji- you had a rolled EB or Limited that you used for the 5.0 liter swap- correct ? Anyway- that is exactly what the 2 door Sport needs- some V8 power ! And the roller cam 5.0 has got to be a rewarding performer.

Best to you and enjoy your ride.

 

[blueka]

oh, cool... you'll see me around from time to time... I don't go to the city as often as I like, We're going to the Perdue mud fling this weekend, if you're free, you should come along, it's an awesome day!!

She goes pretty well, but, there's always room for improvement!!

Si