Fitting instructions

If the text versions are not clear enough, the PDF versions contain diagrams and tools required information.

Discovery TD5 A bar - June 2002 onwards

Remove number plate. Open the bonnet. Remove the 3 plastic screws from the top of front grille , pull forward and fit the 2 brackets into the two spare holes just below the horn mountings, the front of these should point upward and protrude from the front of grille by 3 inches. These brackets only need to be fitted if you are having spot lamps mounted on ’A’ bar.
Holding the ‘A’ bar in position - push a long screw driver or pointed tool through the two holes (located behind where the number plate will fit) to mark the fixing points. Drill two 15 mm holes through the plastic cover where you made the marks. There are no wires or pipes behind the cover only two large holes. It is possible to push your hand up between the plastic splash shields to fit the 17mm retaining bolts and washer plates. If not then half remove lower grille to assist in fitting.
Attach the two upper brackets into the back of the‘A’bar. Re-affix number plate.
Tighten all bolts before driving the car and do not use ‘A’ bar as a towing aid(!)

Download Sidesteps UK Disco TD5 A-Bar June 02.pdf (570Kb)

Freelander side steps

Note: Fast fit side steps now have bolt on legs - these MUST be fitted to the steps before attempting to fit to the car. The legs are marked nearside front/centre/rear and offside front/centre/rear. The key is as follows: 1 dot is the front, 2 dots are the middle, three dots is the rear. The drivers/nearside side legs are marked on the plate, and the passenger/off side is marked on the leg.

1. Underneath the kick sills are five holes covered by paper tape and underseal (they can be difficult to see). Counting from the front of the car push the special long retaining bolts horizontally (sharp points first) through the tape into the hollow sill section of holes 2, 4 and 5. Turn the studs through 90 degrees and let them hang down.
2. Loosely hang step on the rear stud and thread nut on loose with flat and spring washers provided. The 'U' channel sits neatly over sill lip.
3. Next loosely fit centre stud, and finally front stud.
4. Tighten all three nuts but do not over tighten. Test step by application of a load.

Note: fitting time 5 minutes per side. 13mm and 17mm spanner. The steps have very little exposed steel and if looked after should last the life of the vehicle.

Download Sidesteps UK Freelander Sidesteps.pdf (838Kb)

Freelander A bar (not V6 model)

Attach the brackets to the A bar using M8 bolts provided. Small brackets to the top of A bar (short angle to bolt end), and large curved brackets to the bottom of the A bar (small hole to the bolt end). Lift the bonnet and remove the two screws from either side of the slam panel. Then remove the two chassis bolts (13mm head). These are located either side of front cross member just under lower plastic skirt. Offer up A bar to front of Freelander fixing first to the top slam panel (pull brackets gently apart to tension and align with holes) use the two longer screws provided. Next fix lower brackets using new larger bolts with 40mm spacer tube between chassis and bracket (17mm spanner). Adjust A bar for best fit using upper and lower slots, push towards bumper for best fit, tighten all bolts. Note: whilst fitting do not put A bar face down on ground as this might lead to damage.

Download Sidesteps UK Freelander A-Bar.pdf (605Kb)

Discovery Series I & Classic Range Rover side steps

Please note: quick fit side steps now have bolt on legs. These MUST be attached to the steps first. Then follow standard fitting instructions. Legs cannot be fitted incorrectly providing the clamps face upwards. The steps clamp on to the lower lip of the front and rear out riggers (similar to a roof rack) no drilling and no holes are required.

1. Slacken all clamps to almost the end of their threads.
2. Offer up step to align with outriggers.
3. Loosely fit front clamps.
4. Loosely fit rear clamps.
5. Align step along length of vehicle by pulling in or out.
6. Tighten all bolts and clamps securely.
7. Test step by application of a load.

Your side steps are now installed.

Note: tapered end of steps to to the front of vehicle (13mm and 17mm spanners required, 15 minutes to fit per pair)

Download Sidesteps UK Disco Series 1 Sidesteps.pdf (1.5Mb)
NOTE: Instructions for both the Classic Range Rover and the Disco Series I are identical.

Newshape (P38) Range Rover side steps

1. Arrange the four brackets. They are handed, and the shaped plate goes to the front of the vehicle (see diagram below). The chassis fixing holes were pre-drilled at the factory and are located in the side of the chassis approximately below the center of each door.
2. Fit the four brackets to the chassis with a 10mm spanner. Do not fully tighten the fixings at this time.
3. Attach the steps to the brackets with the bolts provided, using a washer under each nut.
4. Adjust steps for best horizontal fit and tighten bracket fixings mentioned in step 2. Now tighten all other bolts.
5. Fit front mudflaps, (if not already factory fitted) using the screws provided. The top two screws fit through the edge of the wing arch, and the third one goes through the mudflap and self taps itself into the end of the step.
6. Adjust mudflaps for best fit, re-check all bolts. Apply test load.
7. Your steps are now ready.
8. (10mm and 13mm spanners required, fitting time 15 minutes per pair if vehicle already has front mud flaps)

Download Sidesteps UK P38 Sidesteps.pdf (135Kb)

Defender '90' side steps (includes all SWB models on coil springs)

Fit rear brackets (the ones that are not handed) into place in chassis tubes, these are located below the gaps between door and rear wing. Remove the long bolts from the brackets, offer up and use a mallet if necessary to seat them into out rigger tubes. Re-fit but DO NOT tighten long bolts at this stage.

Fit front brackets, remove bolts from "U" on end of front brackets supplied and locate "U" by hooking over chassis/bulkhead mount tubes, replace bolts loosely. Push each bracket up to out rigger and fit the two nuts and bolts with washers through holes in the outriggers (later vehicles have smaller holes, use M8s instead of M10s). Tighten the 3 bolts on each bracket, this will close any distance between brackets and chassis. Offer up a side step keeping its bracket to the front of the 2 mounted brackets. Loosely fit bolts through front bracket. Adjust rear bracket to align with slotted step bracket and fit bolts. Check alignment of step in/out, up/down. First tighten front bolts, then rear, and then finally tighten long rear bolt. Repeat for other side step.

The steps are constructed of powder coated aluminised tube to protect against rust - if looked after they should last many years.

Download Sidesteps UK Defender 90 Sidesteps.pdf (90Kb)

Newshape (P38) A bar

The A bar is quick and easy to fit.
Open the bonnet.
Remove the two 13mm bolts from either side of the slam panel.
Remove the two lower bumper bolts and replace with the two studs provided.
Holding the A bar in position - space the lower brackets up or down for best fit around bumper using the nuts and washers provided.
Attach the two upper brackets into the back of the A bar.
Tighten lower studs whilst pushing bottom of A bar in towards the bumper, and then pull top in and replace the two slam panel bolts. The top brackets have long slots for adjustment to get best fit. Ensure that you leave enough room between grille and A bar to enable bonnet safety catch to be reached.

Download Sidesteps UK P38 A-Bar.pdf (804Kb)

Discovery TD5 Series II side steps

Important: side steps now have bolt on legs (for ease of transport and packaging). These should be attached first. They cannot be attached incorrectly providing the clamps face upwards.

Note: the mud flap should be held in place and used to check the alignment and fit of the front of the step (in and out) before tightening the two front chassis clamps. If flap does not appear to align with arch, slacken either of the 10mm bolts holding bracket to lower edge of wing to body/plastic sill finisher. This will adjust for best fit and then tighten.

1. Remove front mud flap. Do not remove rear mud flap. Slacken three side step clamps to almost the end of their threads.
2. Fit single stud to exposed thread on rear body mounting. Offer up step, loosely attach washers and nut on to the end of thread.
3. Loosely fit front clamps.
4. Loosely fit rear clamp.
5. Align front of step along length of vehicle by pulling in or out. Use mud flap to do this.
6. Tighten all bolts securely, adjusting nuts on single rear stud for best height.
7. Fit mud flap with self tapping screws in wing arch and 2 screws and "U" nuts up through step.

Your side steps are now installed.

Download Sidesteps UK Disco 2 TD5 Rubber Sidesteps.pdf (1.2Mb)

Next Gen. (L332) Range Rover Sidesteps

1. Fit the four hangers to the inner sills (10mm spanner), the one bracket is different to the other three this fits to the drivers side rear. The fixing holes are pre-drilled and threaded by the factory and located in the side of the inner sills, some trimming of the plastic shield with a Stanley or razor knife may be required.
2. Now attach the four brackets to the hangers with bolts provided using a spring washer under the nuts. Do not fully tighten at this stage.
3. Bolt side steps to brackets and adjust steps for best horizontal fit, now tighten nuts and bolts fully.
4. Remove existing mud flaps if fitted. Fit new front mud flaps, using the screws provided. The three top screws fit through the edge of the wing arch, and the third one goes through the mud flap and self taps itself into the end of steps. Adjust mud flaps for best fit, re-check all bolts.
5. Apply test load. Your steps are now ready.

Download Sidesteps UK L322 Sidesteps.pdf (548Kb)

Land Rover, Range Rover, Discovery, Freelander, and other Land Rover marques are the property of Land Rover. All Trademarks acknowledged.

These instructions and the electronic PDF versions are copyright 2005-2007 Sidesteps UK Ltd. and are for personal use of Sidesteps UK Ltd. customers only, without prior written permission.