Side step/slider

[02-SR5]

Anybody fitted a top quality slider step to replace the factory step?

[Drjohn11]

Anybody fitted a top quality slider step to replace the factory step?

Fitted sliders from BushSkinz - no problems with product

Alex

[Rosscomatic]

Fitted sliders from BushSkinz - no problems with product

Alex

Do you have an internet link to them? And maybe a photo of your 4b?

Also, with a more rigid side step, is air bag performance affected?

[greig]

Do you have an internet link to them? And maybe a photo of your 4b?

Also, with a more rigid side step, is air bag performance affected?

I have bush skinz sliders and yes, as far as I know, it won't be adr complied....if you're worried about that sort of thing....

[Drjohn11]

Do you have an internet link to them? And maybe a photo of your 4b?

Also, with a more rigid side step, is air bag performance affected?

yes not ADR compliant and probably affects air bags

link is http://www.bushskinz4x4.com.au/

[old Jack]

There are no ADR's that specifically refer to side steps/sliders.
ADR 69 is Frontal Protection, ADR 73 is Offset Collision & ADR 72 is Side Impact.

ADR 72 does not particularly prescribe what is allowed or not allowed in regards to structures. It refers only to measuring the impact forces on the test dummy and the method of testing and result calculations.

The PB Challenger's side steps attach to the body so I would expect any aftermarket side step/slider that uses the same mounts would have an insignificant effect on the range of "crash pulses" that could occur in an accident that the Side Airbag activation system is designed to cope with. After all the SRS ECU detects yaw rate and the impact sensor detects the amount and rate of force being transmitted through the side body structure. The SRS system has to calculate the impact of a tree, post, pole, motor bike, car, truck, embankment or road surface and the resultant forces that are being transmitted. The system reacts to the circumstances which vary greatly so the removal or replacement of the standard side steps would be small and of little consequence in my opinion. My concern would be the strength and long term durability of the original mounting points if extra heavy duty side steps/sliders were fitted.

If the replacement steps bolted on to the chassis rather than the body then my thoughts are the same in regards to airbag activation. However the chassis and body of the Challenger are independent of each other and can move 20mm easily so if clearance was insufficient then the sliders could rub on the body under certain circumstances.

Also in the case of a side impact to the left hand side, any non standard body or chassis mounting should not increase the chance of damage and rupture to the fuel tank in the event of a side impact.

If the replacement side step/slider "dangerously protrudes" from the body then this is illegal.

cheers, old Jack.

[Drjohn11]

Thanks OJ for clearing that up. It was always my understanding that it was not ADR compliant and did affect air bag activation. Happy to be corrected

Alex

PS the BushSkinz sliders attach to the chassis

[old Jack]

Thanks OJ for clearing that up. It was always my understanding that it was not ADR compliant and did affect air bag activation. Happy to be corrected

Alex

PS the BushSkinz sliders attach to the chassis

No worries Alex, the "non compliant ADR" and even "ADR compliant" is regularly misused as a marketing tool by those who have a commercial interest. In 2009 Mitsubishi used this by saying aftermarket tow bars were non ADR compliant on Challengers due to tow ball height, fact is the Challenger is an "MC" classification under the ADR's and is exempt from the section of ADR 62 Mechanical Connections between Vehicles, which specifies tow ball height.

I have not seen exactly how the Bushskinz sliders attach so I can not comment any further on this.

cheers, old Jack.

PS: Off thread but I just checked ADR62 clause 5.2.3.2 re tow ball laden heights of 350mm to 420mm and in the latest version of ADR62/02 Feb 2010 this clause has now been deleted and there is no height limits mentioned.

[NFT5]

Old Jack, I think you'll find that the Bushskinz sliders attach to the chassis of the Challenger, as they do for the Triton. The attachment points on the body are quite weak, insufficient for sliders, unlike the Pajero where they have proven to be more than strong enough.


Edit: Just rescanned up the page and note that chassis attachment has already been pointed out.