INEOS Grenadier MaxTrax Side Mount: Install Guide

Quick Answer

Mount MaxTrax MKII or Lite recovery boards to your Grenadier's side using the DVA Side Accessory Carrier paired with the Recovery Board Carrier. The Side Accessory Carrier bolts directly to the Grenadier's factory rear quarter-panel utility belt attachment points using M8 hardware — no drilling required. The Recovery Board Carrier mounts onto the carrier rail with a zero-rattle pin set, compatible with MaxTrax MKII and Lite. Two people, two tools, under 30 minutes. M8 fasteners torque to 25 Nm; M6 to 10 Nm. Complete step-by-step sequence and torque table below.

Side Mount vs. Rear Ladder Mount — Which Position Is Right?

Both positions have merit, but they solve different problems. Side mounting — using the Grenadier's rear quarter-panel attachment points — keeps the rear door fully unobstructed and preserves rear visibility through the back glass. Ladder mounting positions boards against the tailgate ladder, which works well for board access but creates trade-offs that many owners notice after installation.

This trade-off was documented directly by Grenadier owners on TheIneosForum:

For owners who want recovery boards accessible without compromising the rear door, the side mount position is the cleaner solution. If you specifically want a ladder-mounted carrier, DVA also makes the Ladder-Mounted Recovery Board Carrier purpose-built for the Grenadier's vertical ladder bars.

What You'll Need

• DVA Side Accessory Carrier for INEOS Grenadier (Gen 2) — attaches to factory rear quarter-panel utility belt points
• DVA Recovery Board Carrier — Universal Mount — compatible with MaxTrax MKII and Lite
• MaxTrax MKII or Lite boards (not included)
• 13mm socket and ratchet
• 10mm socket
• 4mm hex key
• Calibrated torque wrench (5–30 Nm range)
• Medium-strength threadlocker (Loctite 243 or equivalent)
• Clean microfiber cloth

All mounting hardware ships with the DVA components. You should not need to source additional fasteners.

Technical Specifications

The Side Accessory Carrier is machined from 6061-T6 extruded aluminum — the same alloy used across DVA's utility platform for its strength-to-weight ratio and anodizing compatibility. It attaches to the INEOS Grenadier's factory-integrated M8 threaded inserts in the rear quarter panel utility belt section. The carrier provides a continuous rail interface that accepts DVA accessory modules including the Recovery Board Carrier, Jerry Can Carrier, and MOLLE panels interchangeably.

The Recovery Board Carrier is anodized aluminum with a zero-rattle design — the board is captured by a precision-fit mounting pin set rather than a loose clamp, eliminating the vibration noise common with generic mounting brackets. It mounts to the Side Accessory Carrier's rail using M6 carriage bolts and flanged nylon-insert lock nuts included in the hardware pack.

Fastener	Location	Spec	Torque
M8-1.25 × 25mm A2-70 hex bolt	Side Accessory Carrier → Grenadier body	304 stainless steel (DVA-supplied)	25 Nm (18.4 ft-lb)
M6-0.8 × 16mm carriage bolt	Recovery Board Carrier → Side Accessory Carrier	With flanged nylon-insert lock nut (DVA-supplied)	10 Nm (7.4 ft-lb)
MaxTrax mounting pins	MaxTrax boards → Recovery Board Carrier	Supplied with MaxTrax boards	Hand-tight + lock per MaxTrax spec

Step-by-Step Installation

Before you start: Park on a level surface, engine off, parking brake engaged. Two-person install is strongly recommended for the carrier positioning step — the assembly is manageable solo but precise alignment is much easier with a second set of hands.

DVA install note (tested on a 2024 Grenadier Utility Wagon, March 2026): The step where a second person makes the biggest difference is Step 3 — holding the carrier flush while the first person threads the M8 bolts. Solo, the carrier tends to angle slightly under its own weight before the first bolt catches, which is what causes most of the minor alignment issues we saw during product validation.

Step 1 — Prep the Carrier Assembly

Unpack both DVA components and verify hardware packs are complete. Attach the Recovery Board Carrier to the Side Accessory Carrier rail: align the slotted holes, insert the M6 carriage bolts from the carrier face side, and thread on the flanged nylon-insert lock nuts by hand. Do not torque yet — you'll set final torque after the carrier is on the vehicle to ensure the Recovery Board Carrier is positioned where you want it along the rail.

Common mistake: Overtightening M6 hardware at this stage can deform the aluminum extrusion. Hand-tight plus a quarter turn is sufficient until final positioning is confirmed.

Step 2 — Locate the Grenadier's M8 Attachment Points

On the Grenadier's rear quarter panels, the factory utility belt section includes threaded M8 inserts designed for external accessory mounting. Clean each insert with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any road debris or moisture. Apply a small amount of medium-strength threadlocker to the first few threads of each M8 bolt before insertion — this prevents vibration-induced backing-out over time without making future removal difficult.

Step 3 — Position and Hand-Thread the Carrier

With a helper holding the carrier flush against the quarter panel, align the carrier's bolt holes to the Grenadier's M8 inserts. Thread each M8 bolt in by hand until snug — do not force any bolt. If a bolt doesn't thread smoothly from the first thread, back it out fully and re-align. Cross-threading an M8 insert in the body panel is a significant repair; if in doubt, slow down.

Once all bolts are hand-threaded evenly, confirm the carrier sits flush against the panel with no visible gap on either end. Minor misalignment at this stage can usually be corrected by loosening and repositioning before final torque.

Step 4 — Final Torque Sequence

Using a calibrated torque wrench with a 13mm socket, tighten the M8 bolts progressively in a cross-pattern to 25 Nm (18.4 ft-lb). Applying full torque to one bolt before others creates uneven clamping force — step through 10 Nm, 18 Nm, then final 25 Nm across all fasteners.

Once the carrier is secured to the vehicle, slide the Recovery Board Carrier to your preferred position on the rail. Tighten the M6 carriage bolts to 10 Nm (7.4 ft-lb) using a 10mm socket.

Step 5 — Mount Your MaxTrax Boards

Slide your MaxTrax MKII or Lite boards into the Recovery Board Carrier and engage the mounting pins per MaxTrax's own instructions. The DVA carrier's zero-rattle design relies on the pins seating fully — verify both pins are locked before driving. Give each board a firm shake to confirm it's captured; there should be no perceptible movement.

Step 6 — Post-Install Check

Verify the full assembly — carrier, boards, and pins — has no play or looseness. Confirm the carrier does not contact any door panel, trim, or seal during full rear door operation. Clean any fingerprints from anodized surfaces; oils from handling can affect the finish over time.

Troubleshooting

Carrier won't sit flush against the body panel

Most common cause: one M8 bolt is cross-threaded or debris is present in a threaded insert. Remove the carrier, clean all inserts with compressed air, and reattempt. Never force bolts into the body panel inserts.

Recovery boards rattle at highway speed

Check that the MaxTrax pins are fully seated and locked. Verify the M6 fasteners securing the Recovery Board Carrier to the Side Accessory Carrier are torqued to 10 Nm — under-torqued M6 hardware is the most common source of board rattle. Also check that the boards are the correct MaxTrax size for the carrier (MKII or Lite).

M8 bolt difficult to extract after installation

This is why medium-strength threadlocker (not permanent/red formulations) is specified. If you used a high-strength threadlocker, apply penetrating oil and allow 30 minutes before attempting removal. Do not use impact tools directly on body panel inserts.

Wind noise at highway speeds

A small amount of aerodynamic noise from side-mounted boards is normal. If noise is significant, verify the boards are fully seated in the carrier pins with no gap between board face and carrier rail.

Pro Tips from the Field

• Re-torque after first 500 km off-road: Off-road vibration can cause initial settling in aluminum-to-aluminum joints. Check M8 and M6 fasteners after the first significant trail run and re-torque to spec if any have moved.
• Anti-seize for corrosive environments: If you operate in salt air or regularly pressure-wash the vehicle, apply a thin coat of anti-seize compound to the M8 bolt threads (not the body inserts) before installation. This prevents galling between the stainless fasteners and the Grenadier's threaded inserts over time.
• Security pins: Side-mounted boards are visible from outside the vehicle. Consider adding a locking pin set to the MaxTrax mounting pins if the vehicle is parked unattended on trail.
• Modular platform advantage: The Side Accessory Carrier's rail accepts other DVA modules — Jerry Can Carrier, MOLLE panel. If your recovery board needs change (for example, you want to mount a hi-lift jack instead), the base carrier stays installed and you swap the accessory module. See DVA's full accessory carrier range for compatible modules.

Related Guides

• Ladder-Mounted Recovery Board Carrier: If you prefer rear-ladder position, DVA's Ladder-Mounted Recovery Board Carrier is purpose-built for the Grenadier's rear ladder vertical bars (1.25" diameter). Uses the same zero-rattle pin system.
• Side Accessory Carrier Gen 2: Full product details, load ratings, and compatibility for the Side Accessory Carrier for INEOS Grenadier — including upgrade path from Gen 1.
• Recovery Board Carrier: Spec sheet, board compatibility, and installation details for the Universal Mount Recovery Board Carrier.