Side step to wheel clearance

[Corbo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Corbo]

Just recently picked up a couple second hand steel side steps that came off an 07 GXL. When i went to fit them to my 04 GX the rear end of the side step sits pretty close to the wheel. Just wondering if anyone knows how much gap you should leave between the wheel and side step? My other thought was that maybe the chassis and original holes in the chassis are different between an 07 GXL and 04 GX. Any thoughts? Otherwise i might have to modify them slightly.



The front is short as you can see in the picture because the GX doesn't have any flares etc on the wheel arch which normally fill the gap between the front wheel and start of sidestep.

Cheers
Corbo

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Side step to wheel clearance

The extra bit that sticks out at back is most likely for the plastic flares on a GXL too. So it would be Ok space wise.
Looks a bit funny but, you could maybe get a local welding shop to reweld the brackets so the whole thing moves forrward ?

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Side step to wheel clearance

plastic flares are the same as the door, mine has over 70mm clearance to tyre and i have 70 series MTZ on there. so bigger than standard.

[Corbo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Corbo]

Re: Side step to wheel clearance

I think there is 35mm clearance, not much. I'm about to head away for a couple weeks so i might leave them on for the trip and get a local welder to shift the brackets when i get back.

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Side step to wheel clearance

Looking at your pictures it looks as if there is a huge gap at the front..... you don't have them arse about do you? ie the LH side one on the RH side :?:

Mick

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: Side step to wheel clearance

You need to jack the rear end up and allow the diff/axel to extend fully, to determine whether the tyre fouls the side step.

[Corbo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Corbo]

Re: Side step to wheel clearance

I was a bit confused at first so had a look at the DIY sliders discussion in how to install them as they are basically the same (bolt top and bottom). The front has an angle on it to fit in nicely with the front mudguard, however the GX has a different mudguard to GXL. The GXL has a big plastic section (base wheel arch/door) that would take up a couple inches compared to my GX (no flares). This accounts for part of the gap.
My other thought is the holes in the chassis in an 07 GXL must be different to an 04 GX. On the passenger side at the rear, the fuel tank is very close to the chassis and you need an 'L' bracket with threaded hole for the bolt as there is no room for a nut (less than 10mm). Therefore can only be installed in one way. With this done the side step has a huge gap at the front and sits very close to the wheel at the back.
I think the 07 GXL they came off must have the hole through the chassis and fuel tank sitting slight further forward (inch or so) thus the step would move forward. That combined with the different mudguards would leave no gap at the front and probably sit flush with the rear mudguard.
All in all i'm not really happy with how they sit and fit my GX (doesn't look right) so probably just scratch the idea of putting then on and put my old stock steps back on. I can use the brackets as a template and might try making my own and just sell these ones.

Corbo

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

Re: Side step to wheel clearance

give us a pm if you're going to sell them. I might grab them off you (heading for some hardcore stuff soon and chances are i'll need new steps )

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: Side step to wheel clearance

Looking at your pictures it looks as if there is a huge gap at the front..... you don't have them arse about do you? ie the LH side one on the RH side :?:

Mick

I agree looking at the flat section near the rear tyre shoud that not be on the other side where the front mud flap sits square against ?