The INEOS Grenadier continues to attract serious aftermarket support, and for good reason. Having driven an early-production Grenadier Fieldmaster more than 25,000 kilometers across Africa, from Cape Town to Djibouti, it ran the length of East Africa without a single vehicle failure. That kind of reliability earns trust, and it makes thoughtful, well-engineered accessories all the more important. While heavy-duty rocker panel protection serves an important role on the trail, it is equally important for overland travel, protecting the vehicle during a low-speed accident, in parking lots, and from logs or rocks kicking up on the road. In my most recent journey down West Africa, rock sliders helped to protect the XOverland Tundra when a motorcyclist failed to look and pulled out into the side of the truck—no damage. A proper slider must also be able to support the vehicle’s weight on a rock, or during jacking or recovery scenarios. To that end, GP Factor has released a new set of rock sliders specifically designed for the INEOS Grenadier, and they are worth a closer look. gp-factor.com
Design and Styling
GP Factor took the time to get these right, and it shows. The sliders feature a classic tubular welded-to-rectangular design that complements the Grenadier’s utilitarian aesthetic. The round tubing protrudes enough to offer genuine rocker panel protection while also providing a useful utility step, which is a practical consideration for accessing a roof rack. During my Africa crossing, I ran a 3/4-length Front Runner rack to preserve use of the factory safari windows, and a solid step like this makes loading and unloading the roof, accessing MaxTrax, or auxiliary fuel, easier.
It is a fully dedicated rock slider and utility step without being an oversized running board that hangs too low, compromising ground clearance. The outer tube of the slider sits 3.6 inches from the side of the vehicle, which is close enough to stay protected but far enough to absorb a hit, like those pesky shopping carts, errant door dings, or inattentive motorcyclists.
Construction
This is where GP Factor’s engineering makes a difference. The main body of the slider is constructed from A36 A1011 HRPO Steel ERW tube, measuring 1.9 inches OD with a .120 wall thickness – the same tube used on GP Factor’s popular Grenadier Bull Bar, ensuring a consistent look across the platform. That round tube is welded to A36 A1011 HRPO Steel ERW rectangular tube measuring 3 inches by 1.5 inches with a .120 wall. Each end is welded and reinforced with four support brackets per side for added durability.
The mounting system is both strong and consumer install-friendly. The sliders are made up of three separate chassis-mounted pieces, all bolting directly to the Grenadier frame. By separating the mounts, GP Factor was able to use thicker material where it matters most. All three mounts are constructed from 1/4-inch HRPO A36 prime steel with corrosion protection (think rock chips). The threaded mounting points use CNC M12 threaded sleeves that are chamfered front and rear, then welded on both sides of the rectangular tubing. Welding a threaded sleeve or bung completely through the tube is widely considered one of the strongest and most reliable methods for adding threads, particularly in high-load and safety-critical applications. It is the kind of detail that separates serious fabrication from general consumer products.
The main body is shot blasted to prep the surface, then zinc primed and finished in a textured black powder coat. GP Factor has proven this finish over years of use on their other products, and it holds up well against trail abuse and the elements.
Why It Matters
The Grenadier was engineered from the factory with genuine off-road capability in mind: solid axles, a turbo inline-six, and a payload capacity that most modern SUVs cannot match. GP Factor has a strong reputation for building overland armor that is properly engineered and designed to support the GVW of the Grenadier. They are 100% designed, manufactured, welded, coated, and shipped from their facility in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It is encouraging to see the aftermarket continue to develop product for the Grenadier, further supporting backcountry and international travel.
For more information, visit gp-factor.com
