LRA Plastic Bar

[davidgate]

I see LRA offer a plastic bull bar as an accessory on the Puma - I like its lightness and unobtusiveness but i can't see it stopping a roo going thru the radiator.

I guess it depends on where you travel - it would be kinder to a pedestrian but not much use in the far west.

Does anyone have any experience or opinions?

Dave G :)

[Tombie]

Experience = not around this one.

Opinion = Don't bother with plastic.

[isuzurover]

Isn't it just a plastic nudge bar?

[KarlB]

I don't know anything about a plastic bullbar for a Defender but I opted for a plastic OEM A-bar. I believe the material it is made of is polyamide (more commonly known as nylon). It is not completely rigid. I am reasonaly confident it will provide protection for the radiator in the even of a moderate animal collision. It is my understanding that part of their protective role relates to their energy absorption in an impact by bending and deforming. Its role in protecting the radiator hasn't been tested by me.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Nero]

Had a older one on a ute many years ago with three plastic tubes they actually work better as they absorb the impact. If you want to prevent damage to your car completely you need a fair gap between the bar and the body work to give it room to move. The bumper replacement style roo bars as far as I know and usually only ever rated for impacts below 50kph the bar may withstand impacts above this speed but the chassis of the vehicle may not. For impacts above 50 kph you need the ones that mount from underneath and stick out a fair way these style will bend and be furked after any serious impact.

Been quiet a few years since I looked into it so things may have changed.

[Loubrey]

It is now 100% illegal in the UK to fit any barwork to the front of any vehicle that might not have had it as standard fitment. Pre-2002 you can still fudge your way through MOT (little later if the MOT man's your mate) with steel A-bars, but anything more aggressive than a tubular will get you a hefty fine in most areas of the UK.

The Landrover nylon A-Bar is "pedestrian friendly" in a slow speed collision and that is it's only purpose. EU legislation is working hard to make Defenders soft-roaders, and as the limited R&D on Defenders are EU based, the Southern Hemisphere inherit the same bumff.

As a rule A-bars are only cosmetic to fit lights and even a steel one will smash into your radiator on impact with anything the size of a chicken and upwards. Seen this happen often in rural UK with pheasants and the like.

Cheers!

(PS - For the few who might not know - MOT is the mandatory annual roadworthy check on any vehicle older that 3 years in the UK)

[juddy]

It is now 100% illegal in the UK to fit any barwork to the front of any vehicle that might not have had it as standard fitment. Pre-2002 you can still fudge your way through MOT (little later if the MOT man's your mate) with steel A-bars, but anything more aggressive than a tubular will get you a hefty fine in most areas of the UK.

The Landrover nylon A-Bar is "pedestrian friendly" in a slow speed collision and that is it's only purpose. EU legislation is working hard to make Defenders soft-roaders, and as the limited R&D on Defenders are EU based, the Southern Hemisphere inherit the same bumff.

As a rule A-bars are only cosmetic to fit lights and even a steel one will smash into your radiator on impact with anything the size of a chicken and upwards. Seen this happen often in rural UK with pheasants and the like.

Cheers!

(PS - For the few who might not know - MOT is the mandatory annual roadworthy check on any vehicle older that 3 years in the UK)

What about winch bars or snow plough mouning plates????

[KarlB]

What about winch bars or snow plough mouning plates????

I don't know about snow plough mounting plates but it seems to be a general consensus on the Defender2 Forum (Defender2 (http://www.defender2.net)) that winch bars, bullbars or what ever you want to call them are legal provided a winch is fitted. I understand that there is also a provision about having a [genuine] need to fit one and the snow plough issue could well fall under that provision. As to claims about pheasants and A-bars, I can only say some one on the Defender2 Forum was saying how his A-bar provide protection for his vehicle when a Volvo backed into him. Maybe it was only a toy Volvo; one smaller than a chook! (See Defender2 - View topic - A Bar on 10 plate (http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic4768.html?highlight=abar))

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Loubrey]

Hi KarlB,

Not disputing the fact that the spongy airbag like quality of the contraption works very well and I actually like the look of it as well (I also drive a Puma 90).

My rant is actually aimed at the practical application of OEM accessories in the different countries the vehicles are marketed. England has very few large, fast moving furry creatures to protect the front end of the vehicle from. Most Southern Hemisphere countries do though and in South Africa LRSA have "adopted" Front Runner as approved accessories supplier and while the OEM bits are available, very few people seem to bother.

IMO, the reason we love our Defenders is that they arrive from the assembly plant with a character of it's own and each owner can modify theirs in an actual unlimited fashion. Never will I criticize a fellow Deefer owner's take on his own vehicle!

My last UK 90, a '98 Hard Top had a Scorpion Racing tubular winch bar with a A-Frame center section. I loved the look of it as well, but IMO not enough protection on the wings to contemplate long distance travel.

Cheers!

[jasonedu]

I tried to buy a bullbar while in the UK and was told by everyone I spoke to that they are illegal and are no longer be supplied (including ARB. ). MAde no difference if a winch was fitted or not - you just cant get them unless you dig one up second hand. This was for a 1993 model 4wd. You are OK if they were fitted before law was put in place.

The plastic A bar optioned with the new defender can actually be a winch bar as shown on this pic from the landrover site.

file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/jason/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.pnghttp://assets.config.landrover.com/v2jag/lr/au/l316/accoly_au_l316_vplpp0061.jpg

Its only a matter of time before this becomes the standard in Australia in my view.




I don't know about snow plough mounting plates but it seems to be a general consensus on the Defender2 Forum (Defender2 (http://www.defender2.net)) that winch bars, bullbars or what ever you want to call them are legal provided a winch is fitted. I understand that there is also a provision about having a [genuine] need to fit one and the snow plough issue could well fall under that provision. As to claims about pheasants and A-bars, I can only say some one on the Defender2 Forum was saying how his A-bar provide protection for his vehicle when a Volvo backed into him. Maybe it was only a toy Volvo; one smaller than a chook! (See Defender2 - View topic - A Bar on 10 plate (http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic4768.html?highlight=abar))

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[KarlB]

Something not working with your image link Jason, but this is what mine looks like though you can't really see the winch because of the number plate:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Cheers
KarlB

[juddy]

Something not working with your image link Jason, but this is what mine looks like though you can't really see the winch because of the number plate:

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/7581/640j.jpg

Cheers
KarlB

Look's good.....:)

[Loubrey]

Very nice looking vehicle KarlB!

That's a lot of genuine accessories you have there! Unfortunately LRA's price tag for those are a little out my budget range, especially the winch package that includes that Warn 9.5!

As I said before, I really like look of the genuine A-Bar and it is most probably the perfect option for your application. Out here in the West on the open road, an off-center animal strike is a "when" and "how often" definitely not an if...

Cheers!

[KarlB]

Very nice looking vehicle KarlB!

That's a lot of genuine accessories you have there! Unfortunately LRA's price tag for those are a little out my budget range, especially the winch package that includes that Warn 9.5!

As I said before, I really like look of the genuine A-Bar and it is most probably the perfect option for your application. Out here in the West on the open road, an off-center animal strike is a "when" and "how often" definitely not an if...

Cheers!

When I bought the D90 last March, there were few in the country and if I wanted a vehicle without some of the fitted accessories, I was told I would have a 3-4 months wait, or have to go elsewhere, and the quote I had was considerably better than other places. I wasn't keen on waiting so ended up with a sun roof, rims and colour that I wasn't originally after. Still, that wasn't all that much extra. The winch and winch-bumper were not cheap. Still, if you go out and buy a winch and winch-bumper aftermarket, then have them fitted, it is still a big investment. On top of that, I now have a 6 year warranty on the winch as a consequence of purchasing an extended vehicle warranty. That said, I can quite understand about things being out of price range. There was no way I could afford what I have got when my kids were growing up (and had a wife). I am 61, but the D90, makes me feel ten years younger. A small price to pay for that!

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[PAT303]

Karl,how does the winch bumper work?.The set-up you have is the same as I want but does the WB bolt to the original bumper or does it replace it?. Pat

[KarlB]

Karl,how does the winch bumper work?.The set-up you have is the same as I want but does the WB bolt to the original bumper or does it replace it?. Pat

Replaces the original Pat. Also comes with a couple of substantial recovery points. I am almost certain that it is made by Mantec for LR (see Mantec | Quality Land Rover Accessories (http://www.mantec.co.uk/productdetail.cfm'theProductID=61375F0F-15C5-F4C0-99BB0FD0F12999FB), select the picture and it will cycle through 5 images). The winch sits within a couple of mm of the grill, and down on the bottom plate of the bumper. It is one of the neatest installations I have seen. The springs are standard and there is no observable drop at the front. More than happy to take measurements, or photos Pat, just PM me.

Don't know if you are considering the A-bar but in case you are, they come with rigid plastic brackets at the top that tie back to the vehicle, under the bonnet and just in front of the radiator. I replaced the brackets with steel ones from Mantec (see Mantec | Quality Land Rover Accessories (http://www.mantec.co.uk/productdetail.cfm'theProductID=21709FCC-15C5-F4C0-9974F237D3F73697)) on which I plan mount a UHF aerial. You can also suspend driving lights from the bracket fixing on the A-bar.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[juddy]

Out of interest what a LR OME winch and bar cost

[KarlB]

Out of interest what a LR OME winch and bar cost

The winch including the winch bumper and fitting: $5,088
The A-bar including fitting: $1,400

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[juddy]

The winch including the winch bumper and fitting: $5,088
The A-bar including fitting: $1,400

Cheers
KarlB
:)

Oh i see, very cheap then..............;)

[KarlB]

Oh i see, very cheap then..............;)

I asked my self how much would 'a packet a day' smoker spend on fags in a year; or some one who went to the pub every day. I'd rather have the winch.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Loubrey]

My point exactly...:o

Raised air intake from LRA - fitted circa $1500. Mantec (who makes the LR OME one) from Rovacraft - $420 and fitment $60 (Opposite Lock).

Very nice kit the OME stuff, but out my price range... And I don't even smoke!!!:D

[PAT303]

Replaces the original Pat. Also comes with a couple of substantial recovery points. I am almost certain that it is made by Mantec for LR (see Mantec | Quality Land Rover Accessories (http://www.mantec.co.uk/productdetail.cfm'theProductID=61375F0F-15C5-F4C0-99BB0FD0F12999FB), select the picture and it will cycle through 5 images). The winch sits within a couple of mm of the grill, and down on the bottom plate of the bumper. It is one of the neatest installations I have seen. The springs are standard and there is no observable drop at the front. More than happy to take measurements, or photos Pat, just PM me.

Don't know if you are considering the A-bar but in case you are, they come with rigid plastic brackets at the top that tie back to the vehicle, under the bonnet and just in front of the radiator. I replaced the brackets with steel ones from Mantec (see Mantec | Quality Land Rover Accessories (http://www.mantec.co.uk/productdetail.cfm'theProductID=21709FCC-15C5-F4C0-9974F237D3F73697)) on which I plan mount a UHF aerial. You can also suspend driving lights from the bracket fixing on the A-bar.

Cheers
KarlB
:)
I think they are the neatest winch attachment there is,I like the look and don't want to mess up the ride with harder springs so the lack of weight appeals to me. Pat

[KarlB]

I think they are the neatest winch attachment there is,I like the look and don't want to mess up the ride with harder springs so the lack of weight appeals to me. Pat
You could make it even lighter by replacing the steel winch cable with a synthetic one and, hand in hand with that, make it neater by replacing the roller fairlead with a polished hawse (and this would also significantly benefit the approach angle).

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[PAT303]

I will no doubt sell my 8274 and get a low mount,most have dyneema rope fitted from new. Pat

[Drover]

Hey Guy's

I have Genuine factory A Bar in the market section for sale.

Check it out if you are interested. :D

Cheers