New LR4 owner with a couple questions

[fotoflojoe]

Hello all, first-time Land Rover owner, and new member here!

This week, I purchased a 2012 LR4, Buckingham Blue HSE Lux with sat/HD radio.
It is without a doubt, the nicest vehicle I've ever owned!
I'm 6'2" 280lbs, my wife is 5'0" ~110lbs and the driver's area adjusts enough to make us both feel very comfortable.
Let me tell you from experience, that's exceptional.

Due to her height, the one extra thing that my wife wants is running boards. I'm planning on getting the LR factory side steps:
p/n VPLAP0035

Does anyone have any familiarity with installing these? Is there any drilling/welding involved? Or do they simply bolt on to factory mount points?
I've always wrenched on my own vehicles, and am pretty fearless about most jobs, but given how new this one is, I'd be a little nervous if drilling were needed.

What are people's recommendations for LR-specific parts/accessory suppliers?
I'm in the USA on the East Coast, I've found few places online in the US. However in the UK, there are a couple suppliers, that even when factoring international shipping, seem ridiculously cheap (relative to US prices). Is this worth pursuing, or not worth the import hassle?

For the side-steps:
My local dealer wants $1,200.00 (and really, really wants to install them at extra cost).
Atlantic British wants $950. (Genuine LR Part)
LR Direct (UK) wants £216.47 + £98.45 shipped to the US
According to my rate converter, that's just a tick over $500

Edit: Looking closer, I believe LR Direct's is not a genuine Land Rover part.
(I've seen the $90 Chinese knock-offs on Alibaba)

As said in another thread, I'll post pics as soon as I can pry my wife away for five minutes to take some photos!

Thanks for reading!

 

[horacioad]

This is scary! You may be my long lost twin brother! My wife is 5' nothing on high heels and about the same weight than yours so I have heard the complaints about getting in and out of the truck. I decided not to install the steps, although I think that they look real sharp. Instead I set the truck to lower to access height when the ignition is off. It made my wife happy and to b honest, I hope that she doesnt read this post, after a month or so I stopped lowering the truck and I swear she never noticed!

 

[Finlayforprez]

I have never installed the running boards, but I don't think they require drilling. I know someone who did it themselves and it was pretty straight forward (once you can uncode the world-less LR instructions).

I know the LR dealership will completely rip you off, so you may want to consider a good independent garage or get another buddy to help you (as you may need a second guy to hold it in place as it's screwed in). I would definitely order it online, as there are a number of options such as:

British Parts of Utah:
http://www.bputah.com/

Atlantic British (not sure they have running boards):
http://www.roverparts.com/

Miami British:
http://www.miamibritish.com/view-product/505

I think you can definitely get good deals and great product from the UK, but make sure it's a factory part - though I am sure there are some decent after market steps.

Keep us posted!

-David

 

[Finlayforprez]

This is scary! You may be my long lost twin brother! My wife is 5' nothing on high heels and about the same weight than yours so I have heard the complaints about getting in and out of the truck. I decided not to install the steps, although I think that they look real sharp. Instead I set the truck to lower to access height when the ignition is off. It made my wife happy and to b honest, I hope that she doesnt read this post, after a month or so I stopped lowering the truck and I swear she never noticed!

Hahahaha!

 

[baobay]

I have the side steps (installed by dealer) and they are great. My wife loves them and uses them even at access hight. She is 5'7". I think they also look great. No recommended if you will do heavy duty off roading. If you're into off roading, you should get the rock sliders with steps like the ones David is installing. I think he will post pics soon. I don't go off roading so the side steps are perfect for me. Check out My pics on the show off thread.

 

[waltzonice]

I'm also 5'0", 110 lbs... and I don't need a running board and don't want one.

 

[fotoflojoe]

Thanks for the feedback all!

I got hold of a copy of the install instructions, no drilling required, but the plastic rocker panel valence needs holes cut in it to pass the mount brackets. I can deal with that. My apprehension was over potentially drilling through sheet metal and have it start to rust after the fact. Looks like that won't be an issue.

Thanks again.

 

[Finlayforprez]

Thanks for the feedback all!

I got hold of a copy of the install instructions, no drilling required, but the plastic rocker panel valence needs holes cut in it to pass the mount brackets. I can deal with that. My apprehension was over potentially drilling through sheet metal and have it start to rust after the fact. Looks like that won't be an issue.

Thanks again.

Best of luck!

I just had my slider/steps installed today and they look awesome! Pictures to come tomorrow. I am going off-roading tomorrow and bringing a buddy to take a bunch of pictures.

-David

 

[baobay]

Best of luck!

I just had my slider/steps installed today and they look awesome! Pictures to come tomorrow. I am going off-roading tomorrow and bringing a buddy to take a bunch of pictures.

-David

Can't wait to see the pics David. Your LR4 is looking GREAT.

 

[fotoflojoe]

I ended up buying factory side steps at the dealer's parts counter for $960 (Not sure how I got the $1,200 dealer figure in my head). That was only ten bucks more than Atlantic British. To me, that $10 was worth the ability to have someone to deal with face-to-face locally in case there was a problem with the parts.

I installed them myself, it took about an hour and was pretty easy. It was necessary to cut the rocker trim panels, but they're soft plastic, so cutting only required a sharp razor knife.

My wife loves them, and they make it significantly easier for my 160 pound Bull Mastiff to enter the vehicle.

Apologies for the crappy cellphone pix, I've misplaced my shop camera, and I was trying to document each major step so that I might post an install thread at some point.

Thanks again for the advice everybody!