New Bullbar..

[Sue]

Well it's not quite finished yet... but it's off to be powdercoated next week and should be fitted the following weekend... :)

Made by my other half.. :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/1273.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/1274.jpg

[justinc]

Looks great! Very talented:)

JC

[Sue]

I'm pleased with it.. and think he's done a great job.. :)

And I just realised I managed (without trying) to get a pic of a D2 (hubbies) and D3 (neighbours) and a D4 (Land Rover Loan vehicle) in the same shot.. :cool:

[justinc]

I'm pleased with it.. and think he's done a great job.. :)

And I just realised I managed (without trying) to get a pic of a D2 (hubbies) and D3 (neighbours) and a D4 (Land Rover Loan vehicle) in the same shot.. :cool:

:p:p:p And here I was , thinking they were ALL yours!!:o:)

JC

[Sue]

:p:p:p And here I was , thinking they were ALL yours!!:o:)

JC

I wish.. I've grown rather attached to the D4 I've been driving all week while my Defender gets a new clutch and transmission etc... many an amusing hour has been spent clicking on the remote to watch the side mirrors fold inwards to the windows lol.. ;)

[Sandgroper]

Great looking bar Sue! Your hubby has done a terrific job on it, I'm looking forward to seeing it powder coated and fitted to the landie.

[juddy]

That Bar looks really nice....

Is the D4 from Bruce?

[Sue]

That Bar looks really nice....

Is the D4 from Bruce?

Yup.. I had it for a few days a couple of weeks ago.. and I've had a black one for the week (but it was sold yesterday so they drove to my house to swap it back with this one last night)... I'm getting to know their loan vehicles quite well now lol.. One thing I have to say is that I can't fault their service, they really look after you there.. :) I suspect it's all part of their nefarious scheme to sell more D4's (it's working btw even Hubby is talking about parking our current rides as 'toys' and getting D4's as daily drives.. he has to be dreaming - or needs to work more hours lol).. :)

[juddy]

I had that D4, it only had a few K on the clock.

Yes Bruce are fantastic, I get on with all the team down there, cant there service, and I have had the opportunity over the last 3 years to have everyone of the land rover range for a few days or more, the D4s I think were the top of the list, Range Rover Sport was very sporty mind you.

Any way must not go off post.

How long did it take to make, and was it cheaper than a bought one?

[nugge t]

Coming up a treat Sue. Look forward to seeing it fitted as I reckon it will look sweet.

[Sue]

I had that D4, it only had a few K on the clock.

Yes Bruce are fantastic, I get on with all the team down there, cant there service, and I have had the opportunity over the last 3 years to have everyone of the land rover range for a few days or more, the D4s I think were the top of the list, Range Rover Sport was very sporty mind you.

Any way must not go off post.

How long did it take to make, and was it cheaper than a bought one?

I had the same D4 a bit ago.. if I remember correctly it had less than 2000kms on the clock.. it had a few more when I took it back though - 70kms each way to work will do that.. :)

It hasn't taken him long to make at all - he's busy and works away a lot so he's just done a bit in here and there when he's had the time.. and yes cheaper than a bought one. I just asked him what the cost of materials was and it came in at less than $500 including the materials for a steering guard and a fold down roof rack ladder he has also made, and laser cutting. Hours wise he say's less than 10, and it would have probably been less if he was able to spend longer blocks of time on it rather than a bit here and there.. Powder coating on top of that - should be less than $200 (going by what they recently charged us to power coat the roof racks).. :)


Coming up a treat Sue. Look forward to seeing it fitted as I reckon it will look sweet.

I couldn't wait to have it powder coated to see it fitted so we did a dry run this afternoon just to make sure that everything fits where and as it should before sending it off for powder coating... I think he's done a great job!..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/1258.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/1259.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/1260.jpg

[dullbird]

Its gunna look great!!!

[Sandgroper]

Bloody hell, it looks brilliant already!! It's going to look fantastic powder coated, your husband has done a really professional job, he could put ARB out of business with work like that.

[Cracka]

Great job there Sue, congrats to your hubby. I like your rack too.

[seano87]

Great job there Sue, congrats to your hubby. I like your rack too.

Yikes! Not backwards in coming forwards about a ladies features are you?



...oh, you meant the thing on top of the car. My bad!

[Didge]

Hahaha I was wondering what her rack looked like :)

BTW, is your old man a welder/ metal fabricator? cos it certainly looks professional. If he's not gonna start making them for a few extra quid (which could contribute to those D4's :) ), maybe you could post the dimensions up for the likes of me to have a crack myself.
cheers gerald
Also, that is a very shiny car you've got there.

[juddy]

Looks good on. I take it there's no issues with ADR ? As its not got air bags.

Is the rack home made?

[Cracka]

You blokes are soooo bad....I did't even think of that when I typed it;):D Sorry Sue no disrespect intended.

[Sue]

Great job there Sue, congrats to your hubby. I like your rack too.


You blokes are soooo bad....I did't even think of that when I typed it;):D Sorry Sue no disrespect intended.

And none taken lol.. PS it's his rack too.. as in he made it also.. ;)




BTW, is your old man a welder/ metal fabricator? cos it certainly looks professional. If he's not gonna start making them for a few extra quid (which could contribute to those D4's :) ), maybe you could post the dimensions up for the likes of me to have a crack myself.
cheers gerald
Also, that is a very shiny car you've got there.

Nope he's not a metal fabricator but has been manufacturing for a long time so has picked up some handy skills along the way - and I've never whining about all the tools he seems to collect anymore either.. :) No plans for him to make them commercially, he only did mine as it was not possible to purchase a factory made bullbar for my Defender due to the different lights and grill.. I'll ask if he wants to share the plans with you - if it suits your car - different lights etc??.. :)

Oh and all that shine on the car.. I suspect it's the light glinting off the pinstriping that I've 'installed' on my camping trips.. :(


Looks good on. I take it there's no issues with ADR ? As its not got air bags.

Is the rack home made?

No problems with compliance without air bags... which is why he purchased a bullbar for his Disco and didn't make one.. :)

Yup he made the rack also, mounted on Rhino bars.. I like it as it's different to the norm.. he is also making a fold down ladder for it at the moment which I just love! (it will be powdercoated next week with the bar). :)

[bigmac]

I like it Sue can I have one for my 90 to pleeeeease.

Bigmac

[debruiser]

I like it better without paint! Makes your car look angry! :) No one will mess wth you ;)

[noyakfat]

Hi Sue,

I agree that is a very functional looking bar and a professional looking job. Despite the toughness of the battle-scarred appearance, it will look awesome when the finish is complete.

Cheers,
Nige

[Witchdoctor]

Great job to Pete.

It will be very bling when its powder coated. Your truck is coming along very well with all the new gear on it, getting excited about the big trip i bet.

David

[Sue]

Okay bullbar was sandblasted and powder coated this week and fitted today.. along with the winch and spotlights (well the spotlights aren't hooked up yet as we ran out of time but that can come later).. :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/05/297.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/Bindiime/media/IMG_2987small_zpsc680b6b1.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/05/296.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/Bindiime/media/IMG_2989small_zps0ac54312.jpg.html)

Next was the fold down ladder that I love so much.. we are now thinking about making another ladder for the side of the car so I can have easier access to the roof rack. Yes I am short..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/05/295.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/Bindiime/media/IMG_2992small_zps922be989.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/863.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/Bindiime/media/IMG_2991small_zpsa47bdd35.jpg.html)

Then we fitted the second battery (not hooked up yet).. it's a 120 ah AGM battery.. and the 240 litre fuel tank.. (not plumbed in yet)...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/05/289.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/Bindiime/media/IMG_2982small_zps4f943dab.jpg.html)

At least we have managed to clear some space on the garage floor lol.. which leaves us room to get everything hooked up when we can find some time. I'm pleased with how it's all come out though.. :)

[Witchdoctor]

OMG guys you are putting some time into getting your 90 ready, looking awesome!
Looking forward to seeing it at the Defender weekend.

David

[Sandgroper]

Sue, that is an all round fantastic looking 90! The bullbar looks unbelievable, what an amazing job. I love everything about it, the roof rack is really nice too, your husband is a very talented boy, I think you should buy him a carton of his favourite brew! Would it be possible to see a pic with the ladder folded down please when you get a chance? It looks like a very neat design.

[sheerluck]

That's one smart looking 90 Sue. There is no way that bar looks even vaguely home made. That looks better than some of the three letter acronym bars that are out there and sell for a couple of grand.

[dullbird]

I really like that ladder could do with something like that for ours when we have the roof top on its a pain in the butt to zip up Ian has to constantly climb on the roof

[Sue]

Thanks everyone.. I do think he's done a great job and as Pete said the hardest thing has been just finding the time to get to it as he tends to work away a lot. He won't be able to look at it for another three weeks now (due to being away for work etc) but eventually we'll get it just the way I want it.

I'll take some more shots of the ladder tomorrow morning for those that want to know more about it and will also share the measurements etc of the bar for those that have asked (as soon as I can pin him down for the info).. :)

[Sandgroper]

Thanks Sue, that's great!

[Chops]

Thanks for the pics Sue,, hubbies done very well indeed, it looks very professional. :cool:

Would you have pics of the tank before you placed it in the car. It looks almost identical to how I want mine for the back of the ute.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Ok, so I wasn't going to post here, but I have a nagging question...

First off though, as many have already pointed out, the bar looks good and many congratulations to hubby - he looks to have done a good job.

Question time: Why?

There are many bars on the market that can simply be bolted on in half an hour.

Whilst yours looks good it must have taken many many hours of measuring, cutting, welding & fetteling. When you consider the cost of your time, it must be cheaper & easier to buy and bolt-on?

Thx
J

Sent using Forum Runner

[nugge t]

Bar looks great Sue as does the ladder rack and the fold down leg for shorties :D

when you finally see it on, all the work is worthwhile, especially knowing you have a unique one.

[sheerluck]

Question time: Why?

There are many bars on the market that can simply be bolted on in half an hour..........

I think Sue answered that above - less than 10 hours to design and build, and under $500 in materials (as the $500 included materials for other parts).

Compared to what, $1500 plus for a name brand one?

[Sue]

Would you have pics of the tank before you placed it in the car. It looks almost identical to how I want mine for the back of the ute.

Sorry I didn't think to take any pics of it before it was fitted.. :(


Edited because I have just found this pic from when we placed the tank (before it was welded) into the back of the car with the Waeco drawer fridge I am fitting to make sure it all was going to fit properly.. it's probably not much help to you though.. ?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/845.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/Bindiime/media/IMG_2912small_zpsf728045c.jpg.html)


Ok, so I wasn't going to post here, but I have a nagging question...

First off though, as many have already pointed out, the bar looks good and many congratulations to hubby - he looks to have done a good job.

Question time: Why?

There are many bars on the market that can simply be bolted on in half an hour.

Whilst yours looks good it must have taken many many hours of measuring, cutting, welding & fetteling. When you consider the cost of your time, it must be cheaper & easier to buy and bolt-on?

Thx
J

Sent using Forum Runner

That's a reasonable enough question, but the car is a limited edition and I could not find a factory made bullbar to fit it (something to do with the lights sticking out too much).. If you look at the ARB website they state on their Defender Bullbars that they do not fit the Xtech (my model).. I received the same answer from every other place I went to in my search for a bullbar - and trust me I went everywhere lol.. I could have put a winch bar on it but I wanted the extra protection that a bullbar provides so my only options were to try and track one down in the UK (and pay freight etc) or to have a custom made one to fit. :) The reason we chose to make it ourselves instead of paying to have someone else make a custom bar is because we knew we could do it... and we saved quite a lot of money in the process which has been put to other additions for the car.. :)


Sue, that is an all round fantastic looking 90! The bullbar looks unbelievable, what an amazing job. I love everything about it, the roof rack is really nice too, your husband is a very talented boy, I think you should buy him a carton of his favourite brew! Would it be possible to see a pic with the ladder folded down please when you get a chance? It looks like a very neat design.

I did think about buying him a bottle of his favourite brew.. but then I remembered that he makes his own spirits so I went "nah!".. :p

Here's the pics.. hope they help.. :)

The ladder when it is down..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/05/294.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/Bindiime/media/IMG_2994small_zps8b79dcd0.jpg.html)

And a close up of where it folds.. simple enough and works well. The ladder is very sturdy. :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/846.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/Bindiime/media/IMG_2995small_zps2764ac80.jpg.html)

And here's the 240 Litre tank that Pete made in the back of my car.. still not connected as we ran out of time but it's starting to look good now.. :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/05/289.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/Bindiime/media/IMG_2982small_zps4f943dab.jpg.html)

[Chops]

G'day Sue, thanks for that,, your right, it's not quite how I wanted to see it, but it's cool,, thanks.
Has he made it out of alloy or stainless? Either way I'm guessing he can tig weld,, ?

[Sandgroper]

Thanks very much for the ladder pics Sue, that is a terrific design your hubby has come up with, it looks very sturdy and professional. I hope you both don't mind if I steal your idea, I love making things myself also and I think that is a great idea for a roof rack ladder. I'm actually thinking of building an external roll cage for my xtech and making the roof rack to fit onto the top of it. I built my winch bar because I couldn't find anything that would bolt straight on to my landie without modification and the total cost of my bar was $180 which was what it cost to get powder coated so I think it is well worth making it yourself if you have the tools and means to do so. Your wagon looks great and your hubby is a very talented man, thanks for showing the pics!

[Witchdoctor]

Your folding ladder is excellent, i think you will be seeing a few of them getting around on a trucks near you real soon. Great use of the limited space with the fuel tank.
Any spots left on this up coming trip!

Great work Sue and Peter

David

[Sue]

G'day Sue, thanks for that,, your right, it's not quite how I wanted to see it, but it's cool,, thanks.
Has he made it out of alloy or stainless? Either way I'm guessing he can tig weld,, ?

Yep, I didn't think it would help much but it's all I had.. *kicking myself I didn't think to get a shot of it before it was put in the car*..

It's made from alloy.. and my son did the tig welding. :)


Thanks very much for the ladder pics Sue, that is a terrific design your hubby has come up with, it looks very sturdy and professional. I hope you both don't mind if I steal your idea, I love making things myself also and I think that is a great idea for a roof rack ladder. I'm actually thinking of building an external roll cage for my xtech and making the roof rack to fit onto the top of it. I built my winch bar because I couldn't find anything that would bolt straight on to my landie without modification and the total cost of my bar was $180 which was what it cost to get powder coated so I think it is well worth making it yourself if you have the tools and means to do so. Your wagon looks great and your hubby is a very talented man, thanks for showing the pics!

Pete's full of clever idea's (most of them are good lol).. a big part of his job is designing (caravans, campers, mobile homes, mining cribs etc) so he is used to having his thinking cap on for stuff like this.. :)

And we don't mind if you copy it at all, it sounds like it would be perfect for what you want to do! I agree on the sense in making this stuff yourself if you can as the savings alone make it worth while.. plus the sense of achievement when it's done is nice too.. :)


Your folding ladder is excellent, i think you will be seeing a few of them getting around on a trucks near you real soon. Great use of the limited space with the fuel tank.
Any spots left on this up coming trip!

Great work Sue and Peter

David

Thanks David.. and I'm surprised at the amount of interest in the ladder both here and elsewhere so I won't be shocked to see them getting about soon either lol.. Still they say that imitation is the finest form or flattery and it's nice to think that others also think it's a good idea.. :)

It's been a bit of a long haul working out space for the trip - if I didn't have to carry so much fuel it wouldn't have been as difficult but we've managed to work around it.. I hope.. time will tell when I go to put everything in the car lol.. And there could be space.. if you're interested drop me a pm.. :)