Over the weekend I installed the illuminated front treadplates on my Defender. The process was pretty straightforward, and I've decided to make an installation guide for anyone wanting to take on this project at home since the first few steps aren't very clear. This thread applies to the Defender 110 & 130. Defender 90 models have slightly different directions. On the 90, you need to remove the rear quarter interior trim panel instead of the B-pillar trim. I've also listed the part numbers for each treadplate at the bottom of this post.

You'll need:
- Trim removal tools
- Torx T30 screwdriver/drill bit
- Needle nose pliers (in case you have to release any stubborn broken clips)

*The instructions tell you to remove the lower B-pillar trim, but you also need to remove the upper B-pillar trim, and the instructions for that step are not included in the main instructions for the treadplates. I have included this step in this guide. This only applies to the 110/130.



Step One:
- Remove the bolt covers on the grab handles, unscrew the Torx T30 bolts, and remove the grab handles.



Step two:
- Using a trim removal tool, pry the trim behind the weather stripping and release the clips. The seatbelt will still be wrapped through the trim. I didn't feel like unbolting the seatbelt, so I buckled it and placed the trim piece on the seat so it was out of the way.



Step three:
- Remove the lower B-pillar trim level by releasing the clips from the top. You may want to use a trim removal tool if the bottom clips are stubborn.



Step four:
- Remove the treadplate by pulling up and releasing the clips. There is a high probability the center clip will not release when removed and you'll break the clip surrounding on underside of the tread plate. You'll have to then remove the clip with the broken-off plastic surrounding. Not a big deal, but wanted to make note of it. The original tread plate still has plenty of clips to snap in place without issue if it were to be reused.



Step five:
- Cut/remove the piece of masking tape holding the electrical connector to expose the connector and pull it out.



Step six:
- Connect the electrical connector to the treadplate and snap it in place. You might need to really hit it hard several times to fully clip it down.




Step seven:
- In this order, reinstall the lower B-pillar trim, then the upper B-pillar trim and bolt the grab handle back on. Remember to replace any broken clips, and be sure pull out the edge of the weather stripping that inevitably gets pinched between the treadplates and the floor, as well as the B-pillar and trim pieces so they fit flush against everything when they are reinstalled.



And that's the final step. It took me around 35 minutes to complete the job on both sides, mainly because I had a few clips that wouldn't budge. It was a bit after 5:00 when I finished the installation, and decided to reward to myself with a glass of Weller 107 Antique. It's a subtle but noticeable improvement over the standard treadplates, adds to the ambiance, and makes the car feel a bit more special when entering/exiting at night. Definitely a worthwhile upgrade!

How it looks at night:




Illuminated treadplate part numbers:

LR131462 - left side, Lunar interior for Defender 110/130
LR131470 - right side, Lunar interior for Defender 110/130

LR131463 - left side, Ebony interior for Defender 110/130
LR131471 - right side, Ebony interior for Defender 110/130

LR131466 - left side, Lunar interior for Defender 90
LR131474 - right side, Lunar interior for Defender 90

LR131467 - left side, Ebony interior for Defender 90
LR131475 - right side, Ebony interior for Defender 90

*Models with the Acorn or Light Cloud interior have the Lunar interior trim pieces, and models with the Ebony, Khaki, Vintage Tan, Caraway, or Burnt Sienna interior all have the Ebony interior trim pieces.

 

Helpful post.

In terms of broken clip you are referring to here: "There is a high probability the center clip will not release when removed and you'll break the clip surrounding on underside of the tread plate. You'll have to then remove the clip with the broken-off plastic surrounding."

Are you referring to one of the white plastic ones that can be replaced or the ones that are integrally moulded into the trim that cannot be replaced?

Thanks again for posting.

 

I'm referring to this metal clip pictured below. When removing the original treadplate, the plastic housing snapped right off on both treadplates. Like I said, if for some reason you were to go back to the original treadplates, they'd still fit fine even with this one clip missing. You could also superglue it back together if you were that worried.

 

It's over 400 bills each side!

 

$325.00 per side is a bit steep. My dealer was kind enough to give them to me for free because of all the owner’s club events I’ve hosted with them, and I’ve become an ambassador to the dealer. Very generous of them to do that, but I was already planning on purchasing them before they offered it to me at no cost.

 

Very cool install. Great instructions.

can’t say no to free.

 

well done James Bond

(Omega)

 

Thank you that's super helpful. I was thinking of taking these off to route some wires from the back in the channel (not changing them) for a better and more factory like install. I guess I'll have to be careful taking them off or just be ready to glue them back on.

Thank you again for your posts.

 

You'll appreciate this also coming from the Porsche world:

I joke that the Speedmaster is the wearable Sport Chrono Package lol.

Turns out that the pattern on the sub-dials on my Speedy are nearly the exact same pattern as the dial on the Sport Chrono stopwatch on my Macan.

 

@CincyRovers thanks for the post, I’m going to try this next. Do I need to get extra clips to replace the broken ones? If yes do you have the part number for them?