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Installed the side steps on our 130 that I ordered from Lucky 8. Had to wait a while for the Union Jack ones to be re-stocked. Watched numerous videos. I was nervous yanking off the cladding (first time!), but everything went pretty smooth. The only issue I had was that the rear brackets (clearly labeled for each mounting point), don’t account for the mounting hole towards the front being a smaller opening on the “frame” than the hole towards the rear (see pic). I was finally able to get the passenger one in, but the driver side (in the pic) was impossible. So, the driver side has seven bolts in instead of eight, but missing just the one “side” bolt in the rear bracket doesn’t concern me. I took my time…took 4 hours on the driver side (first time), and a little over two on the passenger side. Definitely could do them in two hours for each side if had to do it again. :-) Before and afters...
Last edited by Steedracer; Sep 14, 2024 at 11:48 AM.
@Steedracer Thanks for the greate writeup, looking to pull the trigger on these myself shortly. Any comment/feedback after living with them for a little while? I've got young kids and the lack of a step makes things challenging even at access height
@Steedracer Thanks for the greate writeup, looking to pull the trigger on these myself shortly. Any comment/feedback after living with them for a little while? I've got young kids and the lack of a step makes things challenging even at access height
After living with a Yukon that had automatic, deployable side steps that were situated down/out from the vehicle, I dislike the design of the defender’s steps. My thought is that they should hang down and further away from the body. I’m already seeing scratches on the exterior trim from my family because the surface area on the defender’s steps is way too close to the body trim and you can’t get a full foot on the step. And they are even more difficult to use when getting out of the vehicle. My son and I just skip using the side steps. Wife and daughter still use them, but their exterior trim alway has scuffs. They look great and are nicely integrated to the defender body, so that’s a plus.
After living with a Yukon that had automatic, deployable side steps that were situated down/out from the vehicle, I dislike the design of the defender’s steps. My thought is that they should hang down and further away from the body. I’m already seeing scratches on the exterior trim from my family because the surface area on the defender’s steps is way too close to the body trim and you can’t get a full foot on the step. And they are even more difficult to use when getting out of the vehicle. My son and I just skip using the side steps. Wife and daughter still use them, but their exterior trim alway has scuffs. They look great and are nicely integrated to the defender body, so that’s a plus.
You can get the deployable version.... for a small fortune
You can get the deployable version.... for a small fortune
😂. I looked into it and also what it would take to install them after market, but like you said…. $$$$.
i will say when I installed the defender side steps, I followed a series of steps that did NOT require removing anything from the vehicle. I used the online measurements in the guide and a multi-tool to cut away at the areas where the brackets needed to be mounted. It was really, really easy and looks super clean. It saved me a TON of time and hassle.
😂. I looked into it and also what it would take to install them after market, but like you said…. $$$$.
i will say when I installed the defender side steps, I followed a series of steps that did NOT require removing anything from the vehicle. I used the online measurements in the guide and a multi-tool to cut away at the areas where the brackets needed to be mounted. It was really, really easy and looks super clean. It saved me a TON of time and hassle.
Yea I’ve seen that shortcut for the install also, but it means omitting some of the horizontal mounting screws which might not matter tremendously much… but I’d prefer the peace of mind having done it fully. I bought a set of trim tools on Amazon that should make it pretty painless.
Yea I’ve seen that shortcut for the install also, but it means omitting some of the horizontal mounting screws which might not matter tremendously much… but I’d prefer the peace of mind having done it fully. I bought a set of trim tools on Amazon that should make it pretty painless.
You may have already pulled the trigger, but I bought the ones made by Urban. They are quite a bit more expensive than the lucky 8/amazon ones, but they seem very high quality and mount with only the vertical bolts. It took me less than an hour to install both sides by myself. The Urban ones are made in the UK and not China, to the extent that matters to you.
You may have already pulled the trigger, but I bought the ones made by Urban. They are quite a bit more expensive than the lucky 8/amazon ones, but they seem very high quality and mount with only the vertical bolts. It took me less than an hour to install both sides by myself. The Urban ones are made in the UK and not China, to the extent that matters to you.
Yea too late the Lucky8 steps already on the way. Given their solid Rover reputation I’m not too concerned on quality. Worst case I’m out 1/3 or 1/4 the price of something like Urban or OEM. Worth the gamble IMO.
130 Side Steps install (Lucky 8/Union Jacks)
