TAC-FWB-004 Cobra Running Boards Installation Guide
- June 1, 2024
- TAC
Table of Contents
TAC-FWB-004 Cobra Running Boards
Product Specifications
- Product Name: Cobra Running Board
- Part Number: TAC-FWB-004
- Compatibility: Fits 2011-2019 Ford Explorer
- Installation Time: 90-180 minutes
- Cutting Not Required
- Drilling Required
Product Usage Instructions
Before Installation
- Remove all contents from the box and verify all parts are present.
- Read the instructions carefully before starting the installation.
- Drilling is required for installation, so assistance is recommended.
Part List
- Driver/Left Front Mounting Bracket
- Center Bracket Clamp x 2
- Driver/Left Front Support Bracket
- Passenger/Right Front Support Bracket
- Center Bracket Arms x 2
- Center Mounting Brackets x 2
- Passenger/Right Front Mounting Bracket
- Rear Support Bracket x 2
- Running Board x 2
Torque & Tools
- Fastener Size: 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm
- Tightening Torque (ft-lbs): 7-8.5, 18-20, 35-40, 60-70
- Wrench Required: 10mm, 13mm, 16mm, 18mm
- Allen Wrench Included: 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
-
Is drilling required for installation?
Yes, drilling is required for installing the Cobra Running Board. -
What tools are needed for the installation?
Tools required include wrenches in sizes 10mm, 13mm, 16mm, and 18mm, as well as Allen wrenches in sizes 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, and 8mm.
Torque & Tools
BEFORE INSTALLATION
REMOVE CONTENTS FROM BOX. VERIFY ALL PARTS ARE PRESENT. READ INSTRUCTIONS
CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION. DRILLING IS REQUIRED. ASSISTANCE IS
RECOMMENDED.
Part List
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTION
- STEP 1
Start installation under the driver side of the vehicle. Select (1) 12mm x 35mm Button Head T- Bolt Plate and insert it into the factory oval hole in t he floor panel, (Fig 1). Rotate the Bolt Plate 90- degrees so that the plate is across the oval hole. Select the driver side front Mounting Bracket. Hang the Bracket from the Bolt Plate with (1) 12mm Flat Washer, (1) 12mm Lock Washer and (1) 12mm Hex Nut, (Fig 2).
NOTE: Make sure that the mounting flange on the front Bracket is lined up
properly with the indent in the floor panel. The front Mounting Bracket must
sit flat against the floor panel. Do not tighten hardware at this time.
- STEP 2
Select the driver side front Support Bracket, (Fig 3). Bolt the Support Bracket to the back of the front Bracket with (1) 10mm x 30mm Hex Bolt, (2) 10mm x 20mm Flat Washers, (1) 10mm Lock Washer and (1) 10mm Hex Nut, (Fig 3). Line up the mounting tab on the Support Bracket with the back of the pinch weld. Do not tighten hardware at this time.
- STEP 3
Select (1) center Mounting Bracket, Clamp and Arm. Bolt the Arm to the bottom of the center Bracket with (2) 8mm Carriage Bolts, (1) 8mm x 22mm Large Flat Washer (outer), (1) 8mm x 16mm STD Flat Washer (inner), and (2) 8mm Nylon Lock Nuts, (Fig 4).
- STEP 4
Bolt the Clamp Plate to the outside of the center Bracket with (2) 8mm Carriage Bolts (insert through Plate and the Bracket), (2) 8mm x 22mm Large Flat Washers and (2) 8mm Nylon Lock Nuts, (Fig 5). Do not tighten hardware at this time.
- STEP 5
IMPORTANT: Select a location for the center Bracket along the pinch weld, mid way between the front and rear Brackets where the seam is as flat as possible, (Fig 6). Do not install the Bracket over any of the drip channels in the pinch weld. Once an appropriate location has been found, slide the outer Clamp Plate and Bracket over the pinch weld with the back part of the Bracket tight against the floor panel, (Fig 7). Tighten the (2) 10mm Lock Nuts to tighten the Clamp on the pinch weld, (Fig 8). Do not fully tighten at this time.
- STEP 6
Move toward the rear location. Locate the oval and round holes in the floor panel toward the rear of the vehicle. Insert (1) 10mm x 35mm Bolt Plate into the round hole. Insert (1) 12mm x 40mm Long Bolt Plate into the oval hole next to the pinch weld, (Fig 9). Rotate the 12mm Bolt Plate 90-degrees so that the plate is across the oval hole.
- STEP 7
Position the Rear Mounting Bracket over the (2) Bolt Plates. Secure the Bracket to the 12mm Bolt Plate with (1) 12mm Flat Washer, (1) 12mm Lock Washer and (1) 12mm Hex Nut. Bolt the Bracket to the 10mm Bolt Plate with (1) 10mm x 27mm OD Large Flat Washer, (1) 10mm Lock Washer and (1) 10mm Hex Nut, (Fig 10). Snug hardware but do not tighten at this time.
-
STEP 8
Next, select (1) “L” rear Support Bracket, (Fig 11). Bolt the Support Bracket to the front facing side of the rear Mounting Bracket with (1) 10mm x 30mm Hex Bolt, (2) 10mm x 20mm STD Flat Washers and (1) 10mm Nylon Lock Nut, (Fig 11). Do not tighten hardware at this time. -
STEP 9
Select the (1) Running Board. From the front end of the Board, slide (3) 6mm T-Bolts into each channel on the bottom of the Board, (Fig 12). Slide the T-Bolts into place in line with the (3) Brackets and place the Board onto the Brackets. Attach the T-Bolts to the Brackets with (6) 6mm Flat Washers, (6) 6mm Lock Washers and (6) 6mm Hex Nuts. Snug but do not tighten hardware.
-
STEP 10
Level and adjust the Running Board and tighten the Bracket to Bolt Plate hardware only. IMPORTANT: Do not tighten the front and rear Support Bracket hardware at this time. -
STEP 11
Return to the driver side front Bracket and Support Bracket. Hold the front Support Bracket firmly against the back of the pinch weld. Mark the mounting hole location onto the back of the pinch weld, (Fig 13).
-
STEP 12
Check the running board for level before proceeding. Carefully drill this location with a 7/16″ drill bit. Do not drill and install the Insert until after the running board has been completely installed, checked for level and aligned on the vehicle. CAUTION: Do not drill the hole too close to the bottom edge of the pinch weld. Remove the driver side Front Support Bracket. -
STEP 13
Select (1) 8mm Insert Tool, (1) 8mm Threaded Insert, (1) 8mm x 25mm Hex Bolt and (1) 8mm Flat Washer. Assemble the Threaded Insert Installation Tool as pictured in Fig 14. Hold the handle and push the Insert into the drilled hole in the pinch weld. NOTE: Insert must fit snug in hole. If necessary, use a small hammer to carefully tap the Insert into the hole until the rim on the insert is flush against the pinch weld. Firmly hold the tool handle and tighten the Hex Bolt in the Tool to expand the Insert in the hole. Continue until threads are pulled up to the top of the Insert, (Fig 15). Remove the Tool and hardware. Bolt the Support Bracket to the Threaded Insert with (1) 8mm x 25mm Hex Bolt, (1) 8mm Flat Washer and (1) 8mm Lock Washer, (Fig 16). Tighten hardware at this time.
- STEP 14
Move to the driver side rear Mounting Bracket. Hold the “L” Support Bracket firmly against the back of the pinch weld. Repeat Steps 11 – 13 to mark and drill the pinch weld and install the Threaded Insert, (Figs 17 & 18). Reinstall the Support Bracket. Bolt the Support Bracket to the Insert with (1) 8mm x 25mm Hex Bolt, (1) 8mm Flat Washer and (1) 8mm Lock Washer, (Fig 19). Tighten hardware at this time. Tighten the front and rear Bracket hardware only at this time.
- STEP 15
Move to the center Bracket. Loosen the (2) clamp bolts and push the Bracket assembly up against the floor panel. Mark the location of the mounting hole onto the back of the pinch weld, (Fig 20). Check the Running Board alignment before proceeding. Remove the Running Board and Center Bracket. Drill a 5/16″ hole through the pinch weld at the previous mark. IMPORTANT: Do not drill too close to the edge of the pinch weld.
- STEP 16
Reinstall the center Bracket assembly, (Figs 21 & 22). Line up the outer Clamp Plate with the drilled hole. Pull the plastic cover back a little, (Fig 22), and insert (1) 8mm Carriage Bolt through the center hole in the Outer Clamp Plate, the drilled hole and into the Bracket. IMPORTANT: Release the factory plastic clips in the bottom of the plastic rocker cover for easier installation of the 8mm Carriage Bolt, (Fig 22). Secure the Bracket to the center bolt with (1) 8mm Flat Washer and (1) 8mm Nylon Lock Nut, (Figs 23 & 24).
- STEP 17
Reinstall the Running Board as described in Step 9, (Figs 25). Check alignment, adjust as necessary and fully tighten all hardware.
-
STEP 18
Repeat Steps 1 – 17 for passenger/right Running Board installation. -
STEP 19
Do periodic inspections to the installation to make sure that all hardware is secure and tight.
Attention- To protect your investment, do not use any type of polish or wax that may contain abrasives that could damage the finish.
- Mild soap may be used also to clean the Running Boards.