UHF antenna mounting on LR AU bullbar

[Struan]

Hi folks,

Wondering if anyone has a solution to mounting a UHF antenna on the (genuine Land Rover AU accessory) bullbar on a 663 Defender? My local ARB says there's not enough clearance.
Surely someone's done it locally?
Many thanks!

[loanrangie]

There is a bull bar ?

[Tins]

There is a bull bar ?

RU serious??? There's one for every configuration. The car is a nightmare. Option Up!

[zilch]

Hi folks,

Wondering if anyone has a solution to mounting a UHF antenna on the (genuine Land Rover AU accessory) bullbar on a 663 Defender? My local ARB says there's not enough clearance.
Surely someone's done it locally?
Many thanks!

Struan did you look at the one Lourens suggested on the FB Ozzie owners group ??

[dontwakemeup]

I just used a stedi mount. It's a 60mm appx diameter bar. Most antennas need a 16mm hole.

60mm to 65mm Black Bull Bar UHF Mounting Bracket Clamp (https://www.stedi.com.au/60mm-to-65mm-tube-clamp-bull-bar-mounting-brackets-black.html)

[loanrangie]

RU serious??? There's one for every configuration. The car is a nightmare. Option Up!I obviously don't spend as much time trolling the internet as you do.

[Struan]

I just used a stedi mount. It's a 60mm appx diameter bar. Most antennas need a 16mm hole.

60mm to 65mm Black Bull Bar UHF Mounting Bracket Clamp (https://www.stedi.com.au/60mm-to-65mm-tube-clamp-bull-bar-mounting-brackets-black.html)

Ordered & will try it out - thanks!

[Struan]

Struan did you look at the one Lourens suggested on the FB Ozzie owners group ??

Yes the Repco one gives about 2mm clearance to the bonnet - with 4WD flex it might gouge the panel. But the bracket could be modified to remove some metal and give a little more clearance.

[Struan]

There is a bull bar ?
Here are the details:
LAND ROVER ACCESSORIES - Land Rover Defender - EXTERIOR - EXTERIOR PROTECTION - Bull Bar Kit - Air Suspension (https://accessories.landrover.com/au/en/land-rover-defender/exterior/exterior-protection/vplebar001-bull-bar-kit-air-suspension/#tertiary-tabs)

[trout1105]

169480

Thats not a BULL bar its a RABBIT bar [bigwhistle]
I am pretty sure that that bar would cave in if it hit anything bigger than a rabbit.

[DiscoDB]

169480

Thats not a BULL bar its a RABBIT bar [bigwhistle]
I am pretty sure that that bar would cave in if it hit anything bigger than a rabbit.

My god that is fugly (fully ugly).

Perhaps they mean Bull Frog Bar!

[trout1105]

My god that is fugly (fully ugly).

Perhaps they mean Bull Frog Bar!

It might be OK to mount a lightbar on But otherwise it is purely "cosmetic" and Not that cosmetic either.
A waste of time and money fitting one of these, Maybe IF the new defender makes enough sales in Australia ARB or other reputable bullbar makers will come up with a suitable product instead of this silly little nudge bar horror.

[dontwakemeup]

It might be OK to mount a lightbar on But otherwise it is purely "cosmetic" and Not that cosmetic either.
A waste of time and money fitting one of these, Maybe IF the new defender makes enough sales in Australia ARB or other reputable bullbar makers will come up with a suitable product instead of this silly little nudge bar horror.


I bought one because other than the A-Frame there is no way to mount a winch. It's not insubstantial, but being OEM it has to comply with certain rules.
They aren't that insignificant, around 60mm round, 3mm wall thickness. I wouldn't call it cosmetic. Find me something better. Oh. Wait.

Also list price for the bar is 1200 and for the cradle/mounting kit 1500. Not bad.


Arguably not as beefy as some of the ARB ones but to be honest, i don't think they will figure out the engineering anytime soon especially given the crush cans etc. who knows.

If you're going to buy one def dont buy via landybitz or newdefendermods. Total ripoff pricing.

[trout1105]

The D2 has crush cans and ARB made a good bar for them over 20 years ago [thumbsupbig]
If you think that your brand new defender will survive an impact even with a small roo because of that bar you are dreaming[bigwhistle]

[dontwakemeup]

The D2 has crush cans and ARB made a good bar for them over 20 years ago [thumbsupbig]
If you think that your brand new defender will survive an impact even with a small roo because of that bar you are dreaming[bigwhistle]


That's fine everyone is entitled to their thoughts.

Have a read of this:
https://acrs.org.au/files/papers/arsc/2017/Leavy_00138_FP.pdf

Essentially there are no other options available, so either start fabricating or I'll stick with what I've got. If I want a winch and want one now, it's the only choice.

[DiscoDB]

Actually without the upper loop it would look OK as a Nudge Bar and protect the lower section whilst providing the winch mount option.

[Struan]

Didn't think I'd be using the ignore list so soon after joining this forum!

Anyway back on topic - I'm headed to ARB this week to try out two different UHF antenna mounts and will post with what works, in case it helps anyone else.

[Garfield]

Think I'll wait and see if ECB make some thing for the Defender. ECB did make an alloy bar for the now "not so new" Discovery 5.

I can wait a while and see.

p.s. I was quoted $3,100 inc GST to supply a LR bullbar and fitting kit from a local LR dealer. He said he had many phone calls from US LR dealers enquiring to ship the bars over to the US.

[weeman]

Think I'll wait and see if ECB make some thing for the Defender. ECB did make an alloy bar for the now "not so new" Discovery 5.

I can wait a while and see.

p.s. I was quoted $3,100 inc GST to supply a LR bullbar and fitting kit from a local LR dealer. He said he had many phone calls from US LR dealers enquiring to ship the bars over to the US.Any idea on a fitted price? I'm guessing around $4k?

Suppose then you could use your own winch instead of shelling out the ridiculous LR price for the Warn Zeon

[dontwakemeup]

Any idea on a fitted price? I'm guessing around $4k?

Suppose then you could use your own winch instead of shelling out the ridiculous LR price for the Warn Zeon

I have done the install myself but I would strongly advise you not use your own winch. — even a retail Zeon.


The Zeon is not a retail version, I’ve spoken to warn about this. If you go into the install instructions you will see there is a over current sensor module as well as a crank sense etc. these are important so you don’t blow out your wiring harness as the winch is not directly wired to the battery.

[dontwakemeup]

Just to follow on with the Zeon JLR custom package, here is the bits you don't get from Warn retail. These are special kits made by Warn for JLR.

Here's some pics of the extras. A relay module that cuts off the winch if voltage gets too low (as determined by the computer) and also during cranking.

The overcurrent sensor / CT is a device that causes the winch to derate based on current ( which can extrapolate load)
169607
169608
169609

[Struan]

I just used a stedi mount. It's a 60mm appx diameter bar. Most antennas need a 16mm hole.

60mm to 65mm Black Bull Bar UHF Mounting Bracket Clamp (https://www.stedi.com.au/60mm-to-65mm-tube-clamp-bull-bar-mounting-brackets-black.html)

The Stedi mount worked perfectly thanks. Installed with a GME XRS radio and all neatly fitted by Phil & Rod at ARB Keilor Park. Not affiliated, just a happy customer.

Second battery next!