Side Steps - Removal

Hi Guys.

I'm away from home for Christmas. A few days ago I caught one of the local little ****s jumping on my side step, pretending he was hanging on the side of some american FBI SUV or something. Anyways shouted at the little **** and he ran off before I could get to him.

Seems he has come back at some point and snapped one of the brackets on the side step. I need to take the steps off and re-weld the brackets where they have bent/snapped. I don't have the RAVE disk with me so any pointers on how to take them off would be much appreciated.

And the little ****, well I'll find out where he lives, and have a quite word with the father, see about getting some compensation for my time & the damage, if he says no we might be having a pre christmas scuffle.

They are only held on with 4 bolts 2 on the chassis rails and 2 on the inside of the sills

You're better off removing them. They're only a hindrance as the brackets give you less ground clearance. If they're the black ones, they don't provide much usable step space anyway! Only thing I liked about them was that I found it mildly amusing when people got covered in mud as they got out of the vehicle. Just goes to show that most people didn't bother to use the steps anyway.

Here's the damage the sidesteps did to my car when I hit the bracket underneath at ~5mph.



Worst thing was that I had planned to take them off anyway, but didn't get round to it!

Here's the ones I'm talking about:



Even if you don't have those, I'd still recommend removing them if you ever take your car off road or along green lanes.

I have the larger aluminium ones. They change the look of the car quite a lot. I'll take them off and weld them up, then I get to see the car without them on, see if I like it.

I agree with RichM they are more hassle than they are worth. I had the same as you and the brackets rusted on mine and I'm glad they broke on my drive rather when was driving. Without them access is easier and to be honest I prefer the look without them.

It's just a cosmetic thing and I think the vehicle looks better without - it's not like the cab is up that high. You gotta duck your head to get in anyway!!

Jodsclass said:

I have the larger aluminium ones. They change the look of the car quite a lot. I'll take them off and weld them up, then I get to see the car without them on, see if I like it.

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Some people recommend using rock sliders instead. I don't know whether these use a better design whereby they don't compromise ground clearance. May be worth looking into.

Oooo Those rock sliders look pretty good. It doesn't do any major off roading, but the wife is often down at the stables so I help out moving stuff about the farm if needed. Mostly muddy tracks & fields so pretty tame. The steps are more for her as she is tiny and almost has to jump to get in. Hate to see it when we get our Rangie, will have to get her a step ladder.

I think I'll get a mate of mine to make up some new brackets for these steps for now, might even suggest he fabricate some extra ones to sell on ebay (and some extras for me), preferably uprated & using better steel to last longer.

My kids love the steps on my Hippo - it's the only way they can get into it!!!!