The Nissan Path

Hi! I've got a 2001 Pathfinder and I want to remove the running boards which have rusted through and look horrible. My problem is that I can't figure out how to get them off. There are six (or eight) screws on the top of the step that are attached to tubular brackets under the body. It looks like if I remove the screws, the tubular brackets are still going to be there and still visble. I can't see a way to remove the tubular brackets.

Oh, and three of the screws are so far back and so close to the body that I can't get to them.

Any tips, suggestions, anything?? Thanks!

i have an 04 and am thinking about removing them as well. When i looked underneath, it appeared to be just a handfull of bolts that needed to be removed. Were you able to get the boards off?

Anyone with a write-up??

I left the bolts and torched off as much as I could of brackets. Sawzall would have been 2nd choice.

mine just totally rotted and fell off lol