 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Bowler Sills with XS Side Steps |
 
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| Clive Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Littleborough Posts: 467   
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I agree, you'd be struggling to get much of a foothold on the steps.
You wouldn't be thinking of selling the steps would you 
I've got the factory fit ones on mine but they've rusted through in places  |
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21st Aug 2015 7:17pm |
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| Dave_S Member Since: 27 Apr 2015 Location: UK Posts: 55 |
TBH fitting rock rails is pointless for anyone keeping the original running boards - the Bowler ones are designed for rubbing against rocks and tree trunks! So I doubt they would have ever meant the purchasers to keep steps/running boards in place, as that makes no sense.
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21st Aug 2015 7:26pm |
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| Dora Member Since: 12 May 2015 Location: South East Posts: 170 
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Dave_s I'm afraid I have to agree, I think it's a case of one or the other but not both!
I was tempted to fit the sills as I really like the look, but as I'm a short arse would really have trouble getting in on anything other than perfectly flat ground  |
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21st Aug 2015 7:48pm |
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| Orchard Member Since: 07 May 2015 Location: Usually walking the dog Posts: 258 |
Really helpful thanks, makes my choice on the forthcoming birth of my 3rd child easier. Keep steps and don't go Bowler sills or, ditch the steps (take the grief at home form the shorties) and go for Drew's sill of the year 2015
 2015 90 XS SW Bowler
1998 TD5 CSW |
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21st Aug 2015 9:50pm |
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| Mr Fox Member Since: 10 Sep 2011 Location: green & pleasant land Posts: 1037 
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I get what Dave is saying and agree but I also hope my post helps someone who, like me, thought they may be able to get away with having both until the need to have the XS step was no longer an issue.
I know Barney12 had a similar issue and I'm sure we're not the only ones. |
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21st Aug 2015 9:57pm |
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| scotia Member Since: 29 Oct 2014 Location: North Cambs Posts: 96 
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I have both fitted and find the XS steps perfectly usable, as even adults shoe toes will fit between the two, They are invaluable to small children to enable them to climb in and out of the vehicle. So don't dismiss and dispense with the steps on the basis they are completely redundant - they are not.
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21st Aug 2015 10:01pm |
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| Dave_S Member Since: 27 Apr 2015 Location: UK Posts: 55 |
Okay, scotia, ... but then it begs the question why you bothered fitting Bowler rock rails - at the steps will be the first thing to hit any obstacles? No?
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21st Aug 2015 10:07pm |
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| scotia Member Since: 29 Oct 2014 Location: North Cambs Posts: 96
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I fitted them because I liked the look of them, as I thought they looked better than the bit of 'tin' that LR fitted as standard. Others cover the bit of 'tin' up with chequer plate - I replaced mine with Bowler sills. I don't intend climbing over rocks and so the fact that the steps are fitted does not bother me.
I was just making the point that, in my opinion, the combination of Bowler sill and XS step IS feasible, whereas the original post was inferring that they were not. |
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21st Aug 2015 10:23pm |
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| Dave_S Member Since: 27 Apr 2015 Location: UK Posts: 55 |
Ah, okay, get you - if its purely aesthetics, I guess I understand. Though at £500 a pair, that is expensive bling. Each to their own I guess!
I've fitted rock rails to a few trucks - normally because I intend to bounce them off things. My current 90 has chequer on the sills from a previous owner - completely pointless, but still. If I keep it, it'll get rails at some point... likely something solid and functional though! |
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21st Aug 2015 10:36pm |
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| Dave_S Member Since: 27 Apr 2015 Location: UK Posts: 55 |
Just thinking... I may be coming across as a troll on this, and I genuinely dont mean to be.
My main point is pretty simple - replacement sills (rock rails) are primarily meant as a first point of contact. If you have running boards and footsteps below/outside the rails, then the rails becoming pretty much meaningless. If you want to fit them in addition to steps etc primarily because they look better, then thats a personal style thing - but fundamentally its purely looks at that stage, as the main reason for having them is not relevant. Does that make sense? Otherwise I'll just step away from the discussion |
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21st Aug 2015 10:49pm |
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| Mr Fox Member Since: 10 Sep 2011 Location: green & pleasant land Posts: 1037
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Dave, I get what you're saying and I don't view it as trolling BUT I do think we're entering the area where most (all?) modification threads go; namely: some people will fit an item because they like the look, whilst others will use that item, or another, for the functionality. The third group kid themselves into thinking they need/use the functionality when they probably don't. Therefore, it becomes a conversation of function vs fashion and justification vs denial.
I've made no bones in other threads that I will probably never use the Defenders full off-road capabilities and fitted the Bowler parts because I liked the look of them and I felt they were both better quality than the OEM parts and also finished the look of the vehicle closer to how I wanted it. As for Scotia's point, my intention wasn't to say it couldn't be done but simply that there was A LOT less useable space on the existing step than I expected. Unlike Scotia, I personally didn't find them useful enough to keep in situ. Each to their own but I wish there was a thread with representative photos on it AND varied discussion prior to buying them. It wouldn't have changed my mind because I can work around not having them but I did think others may not be able to.  |
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21st Aug 2015 11:11pm |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5804  
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AM94. Given you're not going to be using the Defender's full off road capability, perhaps you could add a spacer plate that drops the step, even if only by a cm or two, to allow users better purchase when using it to get in/out? If you do, let me know as I will be upgrading to the Bowler Sills (mainly for aesthetics!!) and hopefully retaining the steps, otherwise Mrs Grenadier will never get in without a bunk up....
Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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22nd Aug 2015 4:58am |
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| Go Beyond Member Since: 30 Jan 2012 Location: Headcorn, Kent Posts: 6678
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We've supplied several sets of Bowler side sills to clients with XS steps and have to agree that the step is tight to the sill and certainly not as effective as it was previously but still useable.
I don't think any of our clients intend to use the sills in anger, the only off-roading they are likely to do is mounting the pavement outside Fortnum and Masons  |
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22nd Aug 2015 5:56am |
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| Barney12 Member Since: 09 Jun 2015 Location: South West Posts: 744 
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I have to say I'm with AM94 completely on this.
Yes, the step is 'almost' useable but for people with size 4 feet and below! 
It also looks odd as is demonstrated in the photos above. As for people fitting Bowler sills as off road protection? Really? If you genuinely wanted the protection of a rock slider I just can't beleive you would be buying Bowler sills as there are far sturdier and cheaper alternatives! Grenadier, I don't beleive the way the steps bolt on would lead you to be able to simply fit a spacer. You would need to fabricate alternative brackets or extend the mounting arms. I'm sure there are more engineering savy people on this forum that could enlighten further. Of course the solution to the access issue is simply to fit lowered springs!
Or, and I had pondered this briefly...... Try and modify one of those funky RR electric steps that slides out when you open the door. |
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22nd Aug 2015 7:18am |
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