How to Install Black Horse Off Road Armour Running Boards - Black (09-17 Crew Cab) on your Dodge RAM

1. REMOVE CONTENTS FROM BOX. VERIFY ALL PARTS ARE PRESENT. READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION. DRILLING MAY BE REQUIRED.  

2. Starting at the passenger side-front of the vehicle, remove the sealing tape covering the factory holes in the side of the inner panel, (Figure 1).  

3. Determine the correct procedure to attach the driver side front Bracket for your model/year:  

Models without factory threaded inserts in body panel: 

a. Partially thread an 8mm Hex Bolt onto the threaded end of a 8mm Bolt and Nut Plate, (Figure 2). Thread the Hex Bolt in until it is flush with the welded nut, (Figure 3). Use the Hex Bolt as a handle and insert the Bolt and Nut Plate into the oval hole, (Figure 4). Feed the threaded bolt on the Bolt Plate through one of the hex shaped factory holes. Thread (1) 8mm Plastic Retainer onto the threaded end and down tight against the body panel, (Figure 5). NOTE: The Plastic Retainer is designed to keep the Bolt/Nut Plate from falling into the body panel and to aid in Bracket installation.  

b. Select a passenger side front or center Mounting Bracket, (Figure 6). Attach the Bracket to the threaded end of the Bolt Plate with (1) 8mm Flat Washer, (1) 8mm Lock washer and (1) 8mm Hex Nut, (Figure 7). Do not tighten at this time.  

c. Remove the 8mm Hex Bolt from the nut on the Bolt Plate from Step 3a. Rotate the Bolt on the Bolt Plate until the threaded nut lines up with the remaining hole in the Mounting Bracket and body panel, (Figures 7 & 8). Attach the Bracket to the threaded Nut Plate with (1) 8mm x 30mm Hex Bolt, (1) 8mm Lock Washer and (1) 8mm Flat Washer, (Figure 8). Do not fully tighten hardware at this time.  

Models with factory threaded inserts:

a. Attach the passenger side Front Bracket directly to the threaded inserts with (2) 8mm x 30mm Hex Bolts, (2) 8mm Lock Washers and (2) 8mm Flat Washer, (Figures 9 & 10). Leave hardware loose.  

4. Next, select (1) passenger side Support Bracket. Attach the Bracket to the front facing side of the front Bracket with (1) 8mm x 30mm Hex Bolt, (2) 8mm Flat Washers and (1) 8mm Nylon Lock Nut, (Figure 11). Rotate the Support Bracket to the back of the pinch weld. Line up the slots in the top of the Support Bracket with the (2) factory holes in the pinch weld. Attach the Bracket to the back of the pinch weld with (2) 6mm x 25mm Hex Bolts, (4) 6mm Flat Washers and (2) 6mm Nylon Lock Nuts, (Figures 12 & 13). Do not fully tighten hardware at this time. IMPORTANT: 2009-10 models are not equipped with factory holes and will require drilling through the pinch weld to attach the Support Bracket. Do not drill through pinch weld at this time, (see Step 11).  

5. Move along the side of the body panel to the center mounting location, (Figure 1). Repeat Steps 2-4 to install the passenger side center Mounting and Support Brackets.  

6. Move toward the rear location, (Figure 1). Remove the sealing tape covering the (2) factory oval holes. Select (1) 12mm x 40mm Bolt Plate and (1) 12mm Plastic Retainer. Partially thread the Retainer onto the Bolt Plate, (Figure 14). Insert the Bolt Plate into the forward oval hole. Thread the Retainer down tight against the body panel, (Figure 15). Repeat to install the 2nd Bolt Plate in the remaining factory hole.  

7. Select the passenger side Rear Mounting Bracket, (Figure 16). Attach the Bracket to the (2) Bolt Plates with (2) 12mm Flat Washers, (2) 12mm Lock Washers and (2) 12mm Hex Nuts, (Figures 17 & 18). Do not tighten hardware.  

8. Repeat Step 4 to attach (1) passenger side Support Bracket to the Rear Bracket, (Figure 18).  

9. Select the passenger/right Running Board. NOTE: Use the illustration on Page 1 to properly identify the passenger side Running Board. Place the Running Board on top of the Brackets. Locate the channels in the bottom of the Running Board. Select (3) 6mm Double Bolt Plates, (Figure 19). Insert the Bolt Plates into the channels in the bottom of the Running Board closest to the Brackets, (Figure 20). Lift the Running Board up and guide the studs through the Brackets.  

10. Attach the Running Board to the Brackets with (6) 6mm Flat Washers, (6) 6mm Lock Washers and (6) 6mm Hex Nuts, (Figure 22). NOTE: The Running Board is designed to fit close to the vehicle. It may be necessary to loosen the Bracket hardware and tilt the Brackets downward to insert the Running Board between the Brackets and the body. Do not tighten hardware at this time.  

11. Properly level and adjust the Running Board and fully tighten all hardware.  

Drilling instructions for all Support Brackets:

a. Make sure the Running Board is level to the vehicle. Adjust and tighten all mounting hardware.  

b. Line up the slots on the Support Brackets with the back of the pinch weld. Mark the location of the slots onto the pinch weld.  

c. Drill (2) 1/4” holes through the pinch weld for each Support Bracket. IMPORTANT: Do not drill too close to the bottom edge of the pinch weld. Adjust the Brackets as necessary to move the slots up the body panel away from the edge. Drill the holes toward the outside of the slots.  

d. Attach each Support Bracket to the pinch weld with (2) 6mm Hex Bolts, (4) 6mm Flat Washers and (2) 6mm Nylon Lock Nuts, (Figures 13 & 21). Check for level then tighten all hardware.  

12. Move to the driver side of the vehicle. Repeat Steps 2—11 for driver side installation.

13. Do periodic inspections to the installation to make sure that all hardware is secure and tight.

To protect your investment, wax this product after installing. Regular waxing is recommended to add a protective layer over the finish. Do not use any type of polish or wax that may contain abrasives that could damage the finish.  Aluminum polish may be used to polish small scratches and scuffs on the finish. Mild soap may be used also to clean the Running Boards.