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XplusYplusZ

Member Since: 16 Aug 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 489

I got a quote from Vulkan Automotive.
£425 for 90
£445 for 110
+£150 for same day fitting

They look ok. Not sure if they're the same as the generic ones out there?

They have a fitting vid (which looks doable, but not without a garage/driveway..)

https://vulkanautomotive.com/collections/s...liders/110

19th Apr 2023 10:17am

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2826

I can report that the £200 side steps are fine, having just fitted a set to my 90.

They can be fitted without removing the plastic trims but you have to leave out the smaller bolts on the brackets, which seem unnecessary anyway as the two large bolts on each bracket are very strong.

I've been into the dealer and examined a set of genuine side steps. They are definitely better, although they don't look any different, the cast aluminium mounting brackets look the same and the aluminium tubes also look the same.

The actual steps on the genuine ones are better made underneath but they're certainly not worth an extra £750 IMO.

Picture is of the £200 ones on my 90

Click image to enlarge

20th Apr 2023 8:39am

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2826

Here's a view from underneath

Click image to enlarge

20th Apr 2023 8:44am

XplusYplusZ

Member Since: 16 Aug 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 489

HulkVahkiin wrote:
you can get the same side steps for about £200 elsewhere. They are exactly the same.... probably all made in the same factory...

Yeah - I figured as much. But all in, experienced fitters with acocuntability for £600 is quite attractive.

I guess the alternative is to show up with the ebay versions at a backyard mechanics and maybe save £200.. But when they're cutting trim and ripping off tabs, I want to be sure it's done properly.

20th Apr 2023 4:17pm

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2826

You don't need to remove any trim or break any clips, although you do need to cut away the plastic underneath to fit the brackets.

All you need to do is measure and cut the four rectangles of plastic, and if you make a mess of it (as l did on the first one l tried, l marked it out wrong) new plastic sills are £85 each from Land Rover, and are in stock.

20th Apr 2023 5:47pm

Clemmo

Member Since: 03 Aug 2012
Location: Mile Oak
Posts: 1218

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey

lightning wrote:

All you need to do is measure and cut the four rectangles of plastic, .

Does it cut easy?
Any recommendations?

Cheers
Clemmo

Make today a little better than yesterday but not so good as tomorrow....
Defender 90 HT............Pangea Green
BMW X3 Msport............Carbon Black
Mini Electric................Grey. (wow!)
MGB Roadster……..........Vermillion 17k miles
Honda Benly CD200....Maroon --------McLouis Fusio........7.4m of fun

20th Apr 2023 7:37pm

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2826

Yes it's fairly easy to cut with a standard craft knife.
l used a "Stanley" knife which made things easier as you can partially retract the blade.

Under the plastic sills is another layer of insulation which you also have to cut away.

lt's not difficult but l wouldn't want to try without raising the vehicle. l used a pair of drive on ramps which worked okay.

To do it this way you have to lie on your back. l am over 55 and didn't have a problem with it.

21st Apr 2023 11:45am

Clemmo

Member Since: 03 Aug 2012
Location: Mile Oak
Posts: 1218

Perfect..sounds good to me.

Im over 60 and although happy to lay on my back for a while don't want to get into a struggle situation

When my Defender was delivered it wasn't quite what I ordered so I am due a replacement in May.
I shall buy the steps and await its arrival ( hopefully) so I don't fit twice.

Thanks for great thread
Cllemmo

22nd Apr 2023 9:34am

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2826

l found that to align the steps perfectly with the sill, it needed washers under the front bracket where it bolts to the underside of the vehicle.

See the photos l posted at the beginning of this thread.

The alternative is to pay nearly £1,000 for the Land Rover steps !

22nd Apr 2023 11:42am

Clemmo

Member Since: 03 Aug 2012
Location: Mile Oak
Posts: 1218

So...
based on this thread I decided to buy and fit side steps to my 90.
Whist Im happy to swing aboard my partner was always struggling.
( I actually think its easy with the steering wheel to help too)

Anyway an Ebay search revealed steps at £160 delivered. ( yup £160..crazy)
Ordered and delivered next day so all good there.

Typical Chinese package with too many of some bolts and not enough of others but I can cope with that.
Quality is obviously not OEM but not so bad. Light alloy, not steel so easy to lift and won't rust.

Car up on ramps to help access,

I set about finding fixing points without all the trim removal that LR recommend. ( I had bought trim clips just in case I wasn't happy)

I cut a couple of 25mm exploratory holes in plastic cills to establish fixing points.
Then I marked the bracket shape with chalk and cut out with an eletric multi tool. Cuts so easy!
Test fitted both brackets and realised the alignment issues as discussed in this thread.
Few trail runs and washers later the brackets are level.
Fitted the step loosely. Tightend the brackets to the car and them the step to the brackets

The steps are handed but you can actually fit comfortably the wrong way around. The biggest “curl “goes to the front. The right way also gives access to jacking points and allows wading sensors to still work.

No Stress at all...and looks pretty decent.
Very happy with the end result.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge Make today a little better than yesterday but not so good as tomorrow....
Defender 90 HT............Pangea Green
BMW X3 Msport............Carbon Black
Mini Electric................Grey. (wow!)
MGB Roadster……..........Vermillion 17k miles
Honda Benly CD200....Maroon --------McLouis Fusio........7.4m of fun

12th May 2023 1:31pm

J77

Member Since: 04 Nov 2019
Location: Fife
Posts: 3403

Just looking on the configurator

£1200 for fixed side steps fully fitted or £900 for black fixed side steps fully fitted, is the silver really worth that much more

24MY 90 D250 HSE, Tasman Blue

21st May 2023 3:42pm

Clemmo

Member Since: 03 Aug 2012
Location: Mile Oak
Posts: 1218

Seriously…. do not buy OEM unless you have money to burn 👍
I’ve compared my ‘ copies’ to OEM at the dealers today.
You really wouldn’t know 😀

Click image to enlarge

Even if a local garage charged £250 to fit you would be quids in.

Clemmo

21st May 2023 7:11pm

J77

Member Since: 04 Nov 2019
Location: Fife
Posts: 3403

I’m not looking to buy just yet, just noticed the price difference when I was browsing.

I had the genuine ones on my first 90, but they were cheaper back then. An £8 step from Amazon does the job for my old mum climbing in

24MY 90 D250 HSE, Tasman Blue

22nd May 2023 6:28pm

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2826

l've since managed to get some genuine LR side steps second hand for half price so l've fitted those instead.

There's not much difference. The tubes and brackets are the same, except the LR genuine brackets are black.
The genuine steps appear to be some sort of alloy, where the aftermarket ones are plastic. But they are very strong and you wouldn't know the difference.

Oh, and the LR steps have the silver edge trim.

Click image to enlarge

22nd May 2023 7:31pm

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2826

Underside

Top picture is OE, lower picture aftermarket

Click image to enlarge

22nd May 2023 7:34pm

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