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I am interested in side steps for my 2021 Defender, but don't like the silver rim around the factory option (doesn't look right on a black car with black wheels). There are all-black aftermarket steps but the dealer won't install them. Does anyone know if the step itself and the rubber mat on top of the step can be removed for powder coating? Disappointed that Land Rover does not have an all-black option.
I am interested in side steps for my 2021 Defender, but don't like the silver rim around the factory option (doesn't look right on a black car with black wheels). There are all-black aftermarket steps but the dealer won't install them. Does anyone know if the step itself and the rubber mat on top of the step can be removed for powder coating? Disappointed that Land Rover does not have an all-black option.
Thanks...
Im looking for the same answer. I know the aftermarkets are cheaper (and come in black), but if the factory ones can be power coated- I am leaning towards that. I just need to know if those steps can be removed. The schematics look like they can (and it would make sense)- but I’ve bout found specific verification.
Those are perfect, except neither of the nearby Land Rover dealers will install steps that aren't the factory Land Rover units. After watching the install videos I don't want to take on that job myself. My only option is to figure out how to modify (powder coat) the Land Rover parts.
Im looking for the same answer. I know the aftermarkets are cheaper (and come in black), but if the factory ones can be power coated- I am leaning towards that. I just need to know if those steps can be removed. The schematics look like they can (and it would make sense)- but I’ve bout found specific verification.
I'm sure the step comes off fairly easily, the challenge is if the rubber pad can be removed without damage. I got a quote of under $100 to powder coat but the rubber can't be there.
I have aftermarket steps, albeit in the silver. They are clearly a copy of the Land Rover factory step. If the holes in the step part are in the same place (important if), why not have Land Rover install the factory steps, then replace the step part with the aftermarket black part, rubber and all?
Im looking for the same answer. I know the aftermarkets are cheaper (and come in black), but if the factory ones can be power coated- I am leaning towards that. I just need to know if those steps can be removed. The schematics look like they can (and it would make sense)- but I’ve bout found specific verification.
Originally Posted by wnewport
I have aftermarket steps, albeit in the silver. They are clearly a copy of the Land Rover factory step. If the holes in the step part are in the same place (important if), why not have Land Rover install the factory steps, then replace the step part with the aftermarket black part, rubber and all?
Do you know an aftermarket company that sells only the step? Seems crazy to have to buy the entire system.
Gut reaction is the steps have to be mechanically fastened. With that in mind I did a quick search and found the following which seems to confirm that notion. Hope it helps
From this link it appears the step is mechanically fastened to the rail (see attached markup below from that page link). I also took a quick look at PowerfulUKs website and found this. At around 42min mark of the video link below the underside appears to show a mechanical attachment for the step plates (had to look close as it's not directly discussed). This page at PowerFulUK also shows several all black aftermarket items (I personally favor the all black Union Jack graphic) - but that's personal preference. Near the bottom there are the flat steps for sale separately telling me the image below and video have to mean the steps themselves are mechanically fastened to the rail,
A chat with a local Land Rover Parts Dept should be able to get concrete confirmation either way (welded or mechanical fastening). My $ is on mechanical attachment
They are definitely mechanically attached (I had them off my Chinese copies when I received them to tighten the rivnuts, as one spun and I wanted to be sure they were all tight)- the question is whether the Chinese copies with the black instead of silver have the same exact location for the holes to enable switching them out with factory pieces. If the dealer was to install the factory silver ones, it would probably be easier just to use the factory brackets and switch the whole assembly from the aftermarket black ones (including the tubes), as those holes should line up, since they copy the factory brackets (although in my case they supplied all front brackets that required some fiddling to get them to look right.)
Defender Side Steps... factory limitation
