sidesteps anyone?

Make your own or get some built.

I would go for some solid after market ones. I have got a set of the chromed steel round bar style on mine and they are fairly strong.

I have driven over a drop off and landed on a big rock that was sticking out on the left side, and the hole left side of the car’s weight smacked down onto the round bar and all it did was put a little dent on the bottom and some scratches where it slid off the rock.

Thanks for responses fo far, but driver here is for CHEAP options. I know I can spend money and fix it.

Can you take it off and place it on the ground between two pieces of timber of the same thickness then drive over it to straighten it out?

I would check on Prado forums for second hand ones

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/90scool_aus/
or
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/90series

Also Darren McRae does excellent steel side steps for the Prado.
There is a pic about 3/4 down the page of the side step being put on :)
http://www.lcool.org/trips/Easter05/buckland_valley.htm

Try eBay for sidesteps - a lot of people pull them off their vehicles for a bit of extra clearance under the sills and don't bother replacing them.

Tonester, get steel ones. If you get alloy, you will just bend them again.
Bent the alloy steps on my new Hilux on my first off road trip. Put super strong steel ones on and have hit them a couple of times. Other than a couple of marks in the paint, no damage.

Hi all,

Sorry, but I seem to be missing something here. Why buy a 4WD 'off-road capable' vehicle - one that you actually intend to use on rough bush tracks, etc. - then degrade it's capabilities with side steps??

Husbands, wives, and even small kids, can actually get into and out of quite tall vehicles with practice. And if they (or you) don't wish to learn how - go buy a Falcon...

Tell the handbrake that you are putting the steel ones on to prevent seriously expensive sill and panel damage in future...

SO the money you WANT to spend now is to save many thousands of dollars that you would otherwise NEED to spend later, possibly enabling her to have a holiday next year rather than just repairing the truck.

Mine have saved me heaps of dough on damage that would have been done otherwise.

I fitted my steps the week I bought the ute. Just ordered them without permission though. I never tell the wife when I've ordered it, what I fit, or what it cost and she doesn't ask. It's a good arrangement and it's saved a lot of arguments.

Of course if castration is the issue you must be like the cat with nine lives. If you are happy to continue bending ally ones you must have a lot of balls...if she's gonna take one off each time you'll need them.

Dave

got a set you can have $120- send me an email if interested

sorry stevet@lanetoyota.com.au