Whats the purpose of these aluminum blocks ?

[DMROVER]

If this is a stupid question, i apologize in advance. I recently removed the running boards on my new to me 2016 LR4. On the frame are two of these on the driver side & 3 on the passenger side. They just seem to be bolted to the frame. Do they serve a purpose ???

 

[Nechaken]

Side impact protection?

Looks like it would tie the side steps into the vehicle's frame.

 

[cperez]

Those are crush sleeves for the running boards. They would come into play in the event of a side impact. Not sure they would serve that purpose once the boards are removed.

 

[DMROVER]

Side impact protection?

Looks like it would tie the side steps into the vehicle's frame.

The side steps did not attach to the blocks.

 

[ktm525]

I think they serve as crush zones and support the running board a bit in the event of a side impact. As near as I can tell the running boards I removed off my 2010 were the same as the ones fitted in later years however my vehicle did not have the aluminum crush thingys.

 

[catman]

https://www.landroverworld.org/threads/2015-side-step-really-a-side-impact-safety-feature.26669/

 

[Nechaken]

So adding sliders is justified because of the safety improvement ?

 

[DMROVER]

Interesting. Thanks for the info everyone !

 

[ktm525]

Another reason to source a 2013.

 

[TheWidup]

Another reason to source a 2013.

I would think this would be the same on a 2013, no?