Side steps FL1 questions

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chillirover

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Disclosure: I'm an interloper looking to help my old Dad.. They're here with me in Spain and I'm trying to help him out with info while he's here. I've searched the forum but haven't come across the answers I'm looking for.

The old fella needs to fit some 'proper' side steps to his Freelander 1 so my vertically challenged mum can use them to get in and out better. (They're both in their 70s) Currently has the OEM teardrop ones fitted which are pretty useless as far as I can see...

So my questions are:
1. Will they help solve the getting in/out problem and serve OK as a step?
2. What makes would people recommend/not recommend
3. How much ground clearance (if any) do you loose fitting aftermarket boards with brackets?
4. Anything else I should know about this...

Here's what we've looked at so far:
Landrover Freelander Mk1/2/3 Trux Side Step Running Boards - 4x4 AT
Landrover Freelander Up To 07 (3 And 5 Door) Trux M16 Side Steps With Stainless Steel Edge - 4x4 AT
Landrover Freelander Up To 07 (3 And 5 Door) Trux B96 Aluminium Side Step Running Boards - 4x4 AT
http://www.direct4x4.co.uk/freelander-stainless-steel-and-aluminium-side-steps

Any advice suggestions etc would be greatly appreciated as I'd love to help dad sort this out. Cheers in advance
 
Disclosure: I'm an interloper looking to help my old Dad.. They're here with me in Spain and I'm trying to help him out with info while he's here. I've searched the forum but haven't come across the answers I'm looking for.

The old fella needs to fit some 'proper' side steps to his Freelander 1 so my vertically challenged mum can use them to get in and out better. (They're both in their 70s) Currently has the OEM teardrop ones fitted which are pretty useless as far as I can see...
We have two Freelanders in the family. One car has side steps one has not. Both my wife and I do not find any access advantage when using the car with side steps. I would point out that my wife has had major abdominal surgery and I think I will need hip replacement surgery before too long. Your mother could try using a small folding foot stool / step.
If you do fit proper sidesteps do paint them well before fittig, as supplied they quickly rust.
 
We have two Freelanders in the family. One car has side steps one has not. Both my wife and I do not find any access advantage when using the car with side steps. I would point out that my wife has had major abdominal surgery and I think I will need hip replacement surgery before too long. Your mother could try using a small folding foot stool / step.
If you do fit proper sidesteps do paint them well before fittig, as supplied they quickly rust.

Interesting. Mum's 5' at a stretch and has had a double knee replacement that has left her knees quite stiff. Wonder if it would be worth taking off the OEM runners that are on there to see if it would be easier getting in and out without them. As far as I can tell they just get in the way. The idea is to give her something to step onto on the way in. Plus I think I already know how the foot stool idea would be received...
 
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Interesting. Mum's 5' at a stretch and has had a double knee replacement that has left her knees quite stiff. Wonder if it would be worth taking off the OEM runners that are on there to see if it would be easier getting in and out without them. As far as I can tell they just get in the way. The idea is to give her something to step onto on the way in. Plus I think I already know how the foot stool idea would be received...

It's a long slow process, but, you could break her legs and stretch em! Good for a couple of inches;)


DD
 
Hi
I have those first ones that you posted fitted,Picture attached.
All they do is keep some of the road dirt away,The only one who likes them is my Granddaughter it makes it easier for her to get in.
 

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Hi
I have those first ones that you posted fitted,Picture attached.
All they do is keep some of the road dirt away,The only one who likes them is my Granddaughter it makes it easier for her to get in.

What don't you like about them? Style, quality? Like I say the main aim is to make it easier for Mum to get up in the vehicle.
 
'Tear-Drop' side steps??

Do you mean the tapered ones - narrow at the front and wider at the rear, with the little rubber inserts? Excellent for easy access to a roof-box, and keeping mud off the lower half of the doors.

I have those and my parents liked them.

My Mum often had problems with getting in and out of cars, but thought those were marvellous. My sister has a Freelander too, but she has the wider step - same width all the way along - and Mum cursed them, she couldn't get near enough the seat without rubbing the back of her legs against the step. Dad also complained about his trouser legs getting dirty.

Getting in and out without hassle is a matter of trial and error in finding the right approach. My Mum was in the habit of always having a bag with her and thus tried getting in 'one-handed' - she eventually solved the problem by simply putting her handbag on the floor of the car and then getting in. Getting out was the reverse - using both hands to help and then get the bag off the seat or floor.

It may sound silly but what you call proper steps may well create a new set of problems.

Singvogel.
 
'Tear-Drop' side steps??

Do you mean the tapered ones - narrow at the front and wider at the rear, with the little rubber inserts? Excellent for easy access to a roof-box, and keeping mud off the lower half of the doors.

I have those and my parents liked them.

My Mum often had problems with getting in and out of cars, but thought those were marvellous. My sister has a Freelander too, but she has the wider step - same width all the way along - and Mum cursed them, she couldn't get near enough the seat without rubbing the back of her legs against the step. Dad also complained about his trouser legs getting dirty.

Getting in and out without hassle is a matter of trial and error in finding the right approach. My Mum was in the habit of always having a bag with her and thus tried getting in 'one-handed' - she eventually solved the problem by simply putting her handbag on the floor of the car and then getting in. Getting out was the reverse - using both hands to help and then get the bag off the seat or floor.

It may sound silly but what you call proper steps may well create a new set of problems.

Singvogel.

Yeah they're the ones, basically for my parents usage they serve no real purpose. They've had the Freelander for a few years now so I reckon she's tried most variations of mount/dismount and now Dad's thinking about these as an option.


PS. Diesel Do - I'm not feeding you any more ;)
 
Yeah they're the ones, basically for my parents usage they serve no real purpose. They've had the Freelander for a few years now so I reckon she's tried most variations of mount/dismount and now Dad's thinking about these as an option.


PS. Diesel Do - I'm not feeding you any more ;)

OK, chilli - if they've had it some time, I'm sure she's tried everything - but just look and see if she keeps a hold of her bag when getting in and out - old habits die hard.

Good luck in helping them, but I doubt if a wider step will help.

S.
 
OK, chilli - if they've had it some time, I'm sure she's tried everything - but just look and see if she keeps a hold of her bag when getting in and out - old habits die hard.

Good luck in helping them, but I doubt if a wider step will help.

S.
Hmm interesting. Ideally I guess the best scenario would be to find someone who has the full length step and have mum try it to see if she get's on better. Anyone here down in Cornwall? :)
 
Hi , i have the L R side protection runners , (described as tapered just) i dont think they are designed as a step , just for show , i would not trust the way the brackets are fixed to the underside of the car to hold my weight :eek: :D:D
 
got the teardrops on mine they are great for getting mud on your trousers and thats about all. when my old mum was alive i used to carry a plastic caravan step in the back and use that for getting her in and out just make sure you keep on foot on it so she dont move it and fall off.
 
For folks who live a mile from the nearest asphalt and often use a roof-box (me) the tapered side protection rails/steps are great.

Before I got them the sides of the car were covered in mud every day. The standard mud-flaps are not low enough to stop all the mud - probably because they are hard plastic rather than flexible rubber.

The runners make getting to the roof-box much easier - to really reach inside I admit I have to stand on the rear wheel though.

You soon learn to keep your legs away from them when getting in too. :rolleyes:

S.
 
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