GQ Patrol side step help

[dom14]

Hi guys,
I bought these side steps off a local guy, who was wrecking his GQ.
I bought it over a year ago.
Trying to fit it in, I just realize that it won't.
Brackets won't match with the chassis rail and the body.
So, it looks like I need to modify the brackets of these side steps.
Can you guys please post some photos of your GQ with side steps, showing how it attaches to the
chassis rail and the body?
I've attached few photos of the side steps and the brackets they came with.
Thanks.

[Clunk]

I have a feeling that they actually bolt up to the body and not to the chassis...... Could be wrong though. Sorry but I can't help with photos as I don't have that style step

[dom14]

Hi mate,
I'm pretty sure I have to modify the brackets.
It might help to see how your one attaches to the body or the chassis.
I believe it's attached to the body as well as the chassis for strength.
I have access to a welder to do the work.
Just need to see how it works on average GQ( or even a GU).
I haven't got a mate with a GQ near where I live.
Thanks

[Clunk]

This is mine.......... Front bolts to the gear box cross member

36176

Here's the rear
36177

They've taken a battering over the last couple of years..............

[happygu]

Dom,

Clunk has aluminium side steps, which are different to the factory ones. I know, cause I was watching him in action and marvelling at how straight they still were, especially for aluminium ....

From my memory, and that is usually not too bad, the top of the bracket goes up to the body in behind the sill, and the bolts in line with the steps actually clamp the step to the bottom edge of the sill itself.


Mic

[Clunk]

I'd post up pics of the bolts I think Mic is talking about but this crappy Motorculture App has decided it's not going to let me.

[dom14]

Hi Clunk,
Yeah, I can see yours directly bolt onto the that metal bit coming out of the chassis.
Mine hasn't got that metal bit on the chassis. So, I think, I would, either have to weld a bit like that onto the chassis,
or drill the chassis and use a bolt to attach the side step bracket that way.
Either way, I'd have to extend the side step brackets, as they won't reach the chassis rail.


This is mine.......... Front bolts to the gear box cross member

36176

Here's the rear
36177

They've taken a battering over the last couple of years..............

[dom14]

Hi mate,
Mine are aluminium as well. The brackets are steel. side steps just fit onto the brackets with couple of bolts.

Are you saying these steps I have, don't bolt onto the chassis at all?!
I'm wondering, then I only need to drill onto the body and the sill in order to fix the side steps?!
The brackets don't seem to align with anything on the body or the sill though.


Dom,

Clunk has aluminium side steps, which are different to the factory ones. I know, cause I was watching him in action and marvelling at how straight they still were, especially for aluminium ....

From my memory, and that is usually not too bad, the top of the bracket goes up to the body in behind the sill, and the bolts in line with the steps actually clamp the step to the bottom edge of the sill itself.


Mic

[threedogs]

Don't go drilling holes in body just yet.
they can't attach to body and chassis as they move independently.
You could fashion a "U" bolt to encompass the chassis requiring only a strong flat plate to secure,
1/2" "U" bolts minimum, or see if you can pick up any holes along chassis in 3 places, Twist brackets around to suit

[Clunk]

Yeah mate don't go drilling holes, if you look under your car, between the sill and chassis, you'll see 3 sets of 2 bolts protruding from the body. I'm not sure but the outer 2 sets could be were you bolt up to......... Like I said before, I'm not able to post up a pic of where they are.

Maybe one of our learned friends who has this type of step or at least used to might be able to shed some light.

[liftlid]

Sell those steps, they are the factory ones and only bolt to the body and will do more damage to the sill than having nothing at all, you need to get the slider style,

[Clunk]

Sell those steps, they are the factory ones and only bolt to the body and will do more damage to the sill than having nothing at all, you need to get the slider style,

Depends on what he's using his rig for surely????!!!!

[liftlid]

Depends on what he's using his rig for surely????!!!!

Ok if it's bitumen only, keep them!

[liftlid]

36200
This is where they mount to the floor
36201
That's where they mounted to the body and the damage they did

[dom14]

Thanks mate. I'm hoping to keep them and use them by modifying the brackets or some other fitting technique.
Yeah, I don't think it's a good idea to fix them onto the body or the sill, I would rather fit them onto the chassis.
U bolt idea above gave me a good start I think.



36200
This is where they mount to the floor
36201
That's where they mounted to the body and the damage they did

[dom14]

Yep. This might be the way to go mate.
I may need a bracket to fit onto the bracket, and the fitting bracket go around the chassis, rather than making holes on it.
Chassis has some holes, but they don't quite align with the brackets.
No doubt I need to modify the side step brackets, if I'm to use them.


Don't go drilling holes in body just yet.
they can't attach to body and chassis as they move independently.
You could fashion a "U" bolt to encompass the chassis requiring only a strong flat plate to secure,
1/2" "U" bolts minimum, or see if you can pick up any holes along chassis in 3 places, Twist brackets around to suit

[taslucas]

Hi Dom, as others have said, the steps you have are factory ones. They bolt to floor pan as shown by clunk and liftlid. The easiest thing to do is bolt them up to the original spots. If you are concerned about damaging them or the floor pan or sill panel while offroad then your better off to get different side steps/rock sliders altogether. Those you have there bend very easily and will not protect the vehicle regardless of how they are mounted.

[threedogs]

As Lucas says not very strong I could draw you a bomb proof mounting system but the alloy steps will be the weak point.
Modify the bracket to suit and we can let you know what we think, best way to nut out any weak points. wont be ideal
but it may save you some bucks along the way

[Winnie]

Hey mate, you should not have to modify the mounts at all.
I agree with Liftlid though, if you are going to be doing any sort of offroading, I would leave them off because they really will do more damage than having nothing at all. I removed mine for that reason.

[dom14]

Hi Dom, as others have said, the steps you have are factory ones. They bolt to floor pan as shown by clunk and liftlid. The easiest thing to do is bolt them up to the original spots. If you are concerned about damaging them or the floor pan or sill panel while offroad then your better off to get different side steps/rock sliders altogether. Those you have there bend very easily and will not protect the vehicle regardless of how they are mounted.

Hi Taslucas,
I wasn't aware they can cause damage to the body while off-roading. I don't do much mud off-roading at the moment. The rig isn't ready for that yet.
It's an RB30, and I'm bit concerned about revving it in mud 'cos I need the rig, specially the motor and gearbox in good shape for my longer treks in the big red. I got the side steps to make it easy to get onto the car, and then again, of course it looks nice with the side steps.

I'll see if I can bolt them onto the original spots as it meant to be for the time being, and work on a better solution slowly.
I thought it's a bad idea to have them fixed to the body, 'cos it's pretty much thin sheet metal, where as the chassis is hard steel.
I didn't know they are even worse when off roading, 'cos I've never had side steps.

Thanks for the tips mate.

[dom14]

Cool mate. I won't be doing any serious off-roading anytime soon.
Specially, it won't do any mud riding anytime soon.
I thought it's cool to have them, so me and others can hop onto to the car easily. :)


Hey mate, you should not have to modify the mounts at all.
I agree with Liftlid though, if you are going to be doing any sort of offroading, I would leave them off because they really will do more damage than having nothing at all. I removed mine for that reason.

[dom14]

36200
This is where they mount to the floor
36201
That's where they mounted to the body and the damage they did

Ok. I can see now the reason you took them off.
I'm thinking modifying the brackets to go around the chassis, but have to see how it goes.
Thanks mate

[threedogs]

All except for the taller Patrols your 4" lifts etc , Ive found it quite easy to get into a patrol.
But if little ones are involved steps are very handy

[taslucas]

Hi Taslucas,
I wasn't aware they can cause damage to the body while off-roading. I don't do much mud off-roading at the moment. The rig isn't ready for that yet.
It's an RB30, and I'm bit concerned about revving it in mud 'cos I need the rig, specially the motor and gearbox in good shape for my longer treks in the big red. I got the side steps to make it easy to get onto the car, and then again, of course it looks nice with the side steps.

I'll see if I can bolt them onto the original spots as it meant to be for the time being, and work on a better solution slowly.
I thought it's a bad idea to have them fixed to the body, 'cos it's pretty much thin sheet metal, where as the chassis is hard steel.
I didn't know they are even worse when off roading, 'cos I've never had side steps.

Thanks for the tips mate.

Yeah the original mounting points will be fine. That is the way they came out of the factory. The area around the bolts is strengthened and the brackets help to spread the weight out.
If I was you, id just fit it back in the original position. If you were going to the trouble of modifying the brackets then you may as well step up to an after market rock slider design that will be a lot stronger.
Try having a search on here and eBay for "rock sliders" to sget some ideas

[WintonLad]

Just mount them up mate, waste of time bothering to strongly mount a weak step, good for getting in the car, reaching a roof rack, and stopping gravel and shit flicking up the side of the car and that's about all

[NissanGQ4.2]

Off a 1992 TI GQ and the same as your side steps / brackets

36226

36227

36228

36229

36230

[dom14]

Off a 1992 TI GQ and the same as your side steps / brackets

I see it now mate.
All the problems, I think, 'cos the bloke didn't give me the mounting clamps.
Cheers

[dom14]

Yeah, mate.
I couldn't work it out, partly 'cos of the missing clamps.
I might have source them from a wrecker, etc.
Cheers


Just mount them up mate, waste of time bothering to strongly mount a weak step, good for getting in the car, reaching a roof rack, and stopping gravel and shit flicking up the side of the car and that's about all

[WintonLad]

Yeah, mate.
I couldn't work it out, partly 'cos of the missing clamps.
I might have source them from a wrecker, etc.
Cheers

No worries mate, enjoy :)

[dom14]

I'm a little one myself. Not far from a jockey. :thumbup:



All except for the taller Patrols your 4" lifts etc , Ive found it quite easy to get into a patrol.
But if little ones are involved steps are very handy:thumbup:

[NissanGQ4.2]

I see it now mate.
All the problems, I think, 'cos the bloke didn't give me the mounting clamps.
Cheers

Yes you need the mounting clips, can you ring / email the guy you bought them off he might still have the clips knoocking around.

Where are you located???

[dom14]

Yes you need the mounting clips, can you ring / email the guy you bought them off he might still have the clips knoocking around.

Where are you located???

I'm in Melbourne mate. The young bloke I bought it from should be around, but it was over a year ago. I've forgotten his whereabouts(even though it's around half hour from here). I bought it off ebay, but can't find any of the details at the moment. I was only one who bid on it, and I understand why now.
:mad: :bananadancing:
:D