Prado Side Step

Sidesteps are good in a way, they save your sills from getting bashed, they also help ya and the wife get into the car.... Bashed sills look like garbage. Unless you make up some rock sliders to bolt up under your car.

George has made some for his 80 series, and well worth a look
http://www.geocities.com/george_tlc/sliderd.html

I wouldnt worry about the plastic cap @ $104, if you lost it again, you would lose it!

Wayne, As a fellow Prado owner I find it best to remove the steps when doing and serious offroad driving. The standard steps only end up bent and damaged as they hang down to low and bash on any large rocks etc you try to get over. The chassis rails are low enough that I have never encountered a problem with them off. On the negetive side I have chipped the bottom of the lower guards from stones flying up as I drive. I am now in the process of getting some heavy duty steps made that will offer sill protection from chips, as they are welded to the chassis they are strong enough to be used as a jacking point and for rock sliding should the need arise. Hope that helps with your question. Cheers

Hi Wayne,

We had side steps on our NH Pajero. One got hooked up first time we took it out causing one of the mounting arms to get bashed up and knocked the plastic cap off the end. Luckily, a couple of hits with the hammer straightened the mounting arm and the plastic cap was able to be popped back on so damage was minimal. Not long after we got hung up on the side steps when driving over an easy mound of dirt. After that, they came off and stayed off! Improved our clearance by 2 inches. :-) Melissa

Hi Wayne,

We did the same with a work Prado. It sounds like it must be a common problem. I don't know where or why, but I suspect it may have been from stepping over fallen trees. I wouldn't bother removing the sidesteps every time you go off road, its too much hassell. My opinion though and from a work car perspective.

Regards
Slunnie

Wayne,
I own a 80 series that had the same Toorak side steps fitted when we purchased it and yes they were the first thing that went missing. Four trips later they have been off the Crusier twice for straighting and are now so damaged they are held to the mounting points by self tapping screws, they also have a tendancy to FOLD up allowing you to exit the vehicle Dukes of Hazard style.
If you are in Melb there are a few places that will replace them with Steel & Checkerplate a much better option for Protection, Vehicle Resale Value and looks.
I will be doing so as soon as the $ arrive, my advice is replace them asap at $104 each it will only happen again.
Cheers Ash

Wayne,

I would recommend removing the steps and replacing them with a set of steel steps. Then store the originals and refit before selling it. The steel steps will look better and last a lot longer off road. I have a set of steel steps on my Prado and they have saved the paint work more than once. I have dents in the checkerplate that is as a result of stones being thrown up by the wheels.

Cashy