Quote Originally Posted by 4wheeler View Post
Not sure what you mean by ADR compliance on the bar. Air bag equipped models must have compatible bars which do not impact on the airbag deployment system and are either approved by the car manufacturer or can be demonstrated by the bull bar manufacturer that the airbag system is not compromised. This means complex mount systems and testing so ARB and the others do simulations to demonstrate this.


The Defender does not have an airbag system so provided the bar fits in with your states guidelines it should be O.K. I don't think it would be ADR complied as such, but should fit in with the ADR guidelines. It would need to be made with pedestrian safety in mind, have no sharp edges or items protruding from the bar etc. Most bars fitted to non-air bag vehicles should be O.K. provided they fit within the confines of the vehicle, aren't sharp and have rounded features etc. As others of mentioned you need to say what bar you are talking about before anyone can give a more thorough reply.


I would be surprised if a supplier would sell a bar design that would not fit in with state rules as they would be leaving themselves open to litigation big time.


A 4 poster as fitted to a 1980's ute would be an example of something that would not be acceptable on any new vehicle, airbag equipped or not. Fishing rod holders bolted to the front of a bar which would gut a pedestrian on impact would not be acceptable.


I might be wrong on my opinion and stand to be corrected, but do a search on Bull Bar ADR rules and it basically comes up with a list of guidelines for each state.


Hope this helps.

Have done a bit more reading and I see where you are going with this. What I have said above is mostly true but obviously not 100% up to date. I was not clear enough in my response.


You are correct in that a bull bar fitted to more modern vehicles must be ADR compliant. This is achieved by the manufacture of the vehicle accepting that the bar is suitable for fitment to the vehicle and/or the bar manufacturer states that the bar is compliant with ADR 69, 73 etc. for that vehicle and in best case scenario affix a plate/label to the bar stating that. If the bar manufacturer won't state it then I would think that the insurance company would be within their rights not to insure the vehicle, even if that bar is well made.


I see NSW is looking more closely at non-complying bars especially as you have get a roadworthy each year. It will be interesting to see if many are banned in the future.


I don't know of any insurance company that would insure a vehicle that knowingly has a potentially illegal or non-compliant product fitted to it which might compromise crash worthiness etc.