Bull Bar options

[SVX37]

Hi all!

Picked up the SVX on Saturday....is it possible to love a car in that time? It is my first deefer after a couple of Discos (V8 & TD5).

Anyway, my query is on bull bars. An ARB won't fit because of the extra driving lights and the grill sticks out a bit further. ARB are not going to make one either. I asked about them customising one for me and they are not interested.:o

So, what have other SVX owners done?

It appears a TJM one might fit (T15 or T13) and I rang their Head Office this morning and I am waiting for them to call me back.

Your help is appreciated...:)

[dmdigital]

Talk to Rovacraft they sell the low profile winch bars by Mantec et al that replace the bumper.

[kenleyfred]

The ARB bar does fit, my local store has shown me a photo of one that has been fitted. The owner didn't care about losing high beam.
An ARB bar is the only bar I would consider so would possibly do one of theirs with a pair of spotties to compensate.
Would also solve the no forward recovery points dilema.

Yesterday I passed a minor nose to tail accident. The back vehicle was a 4x4 with TJM bar, It was pushed back and the front end was buckled. It had more damage than the sedan it had hit.

Cheers
Kenley

[Scallops]

Would also solve the no forward recovery points dilema.


No it wouldn't - the eyelets on the ARB bar are not rated recovery points - they are there to hang a winch hook.

[kenleyfred]

Certainly they say that for legal reasons, but I have been under the impression that with a bridle they were more than strong enough. Land Rover tell me to never do a snatch recovery so it wouldn't get the sudden stress of a snatch.

If this is incorrect and they cannot be used I will have to go back to not having a clue. At present there is nothing on a SVX to use. The usual tie down point which Land Rover say to use with a bridle are covered by the SVX bash plate.
Cheers
Kenley

[Jock The Rock]

The ARB bar does fit, my local store has shown me a photo of one that has been fitted. The owner didn't care about losing high beam.
An ARB bar is the only bar I would consider so would possibly do one of theirs with a pair of spotties to compensate.
Would also solve the no forward recovery points dilema.

Yesterday I passed a minor nose to tail accident. The back vehicle was a 4x4 with TJM bar, It was pushed back and the front end was buckled. It had more damage than the sedan it had hit.

Cheers
Kenley

Hey mate

Sorry I have to disagree with you here. I guess this is like batteling out Ford and Holden. ARB and TJM on a Defender are much of a muchness. I know; because I've had both.

When you look closely though a TJM is slightly shaped, so it looks better. It also has actual indicators in the bar rather than just reflectors.

And one other thing about quality. I am not sure whether this is the case on all ARB but I don't think quality control is really the most major thing. When I pulled my ARB bar off to swap it over, in under the lip of the main bar was a huge patch of rust. It was obvious that patch had never been powdercoated.

After having both I'll never recomend an ARB, but thats just my thoughts and my 2c worth :p

[Scallops]

Certainly they say that for legal reasons, but I have been under the impression that with a bridle they were more than strong enough. Land Rover tell me to never do a snatch recovery so it wouldn't get the sudden stress of a snatch.

If this is incorrect and they cannot be used I will have to go back to not having a clue. At present there is nothing on a SVX to use. The usual tie down point which Land Rover say to use with a bridle are covered by the SVX bash plate.
Cheers
Kenley

I have a post in this area (Scallops recovery points - just do a search) showing my recovery points - you have a Defender - you can do the same. :) Just because it is an SVX does not preclude you from doing something similar. These go through the chassis rails and you have one each side so you can use an equalizer strap.

As I said - the eyelets are not recovery points - just because in a given situation you might snatch from these points, and nothing breaks - doesn't mean you should use them! Similarly, as you say - don't use the tie down points either.

And as for someone at Land Rover suggesting you should never snatch the vehicle - please???? :bangin: Just ignore that person.

[Allan]

I had ARB bar fitted to my SVX . Make tracks in Midland modified bar to remove cross bar that covers lights, looks ok to.

[SVX37]

I had ARB bar fitted to my SVX . Make tracks in Midland modified bar to remove cross bar that covers lights, looks ok to.


Hi Allan,

I think I know what you are talking about but is there any chance of a piccy for me please? :)

Nigel

[kenleyfred]

And a picture for me too please Allan.
Kenley


Thanks for that Scallops, I'll do a search.

[Allan]

Here is some photos of my SVX that show the bar modification and placement of the air compressor. Hope this helps

Allan

[Jock The Rock]

Talk about jealous mate

That thing looks awesome :twisted:

Lucky fella

[Nera Donna]

G’day all,
Been through the same dilemma with mine. I chose to go down a different road. I ordered one through ‘4x4 sports’. Made in Malaysia, I hope the qualities good? Supposed not to interfere with the standard lights etc. I can send any pic’s just yet. I don’t pick it up until I get home in another week or so? Will post some if anyones interested?

PS. Allan great looking truck mate.:BigThumb:

Craig

[Wortho]

It also has actual indicators in the bar rather than just reflectors.

ARB bar has indicators in the bar, not just reflectors, don't know where you got that one from.
Am about to fit our second bar to an SVX next week this one will be coulour coded same as side steps.

[Jock The Rock]

ARB bar has indicators in the bar, not just reflectors, don't know where you got that one from.
Am about to fit our second bar to an SVX next week this one will be coulour coded same as side steps.


Well mate they don't look like indicators too me ;)

ARB
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/1020.jpg

TJM
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/1021.jpg

[SVX37]

G’day all,
Been through the same dilemma with mine. I chose to go down a different road. I ordered one through ‘4x4 sports’. Made in Malaysia, I hope the qualities good? Supposed not to interfere with the standard lights etc. I can send any pic’s just yet. I don’t pick it up until I get home in another week or so? Will post some if anyones interested?

PS. Allan great looking truck mate.:BigThumb:

Craig


Hi Craig,

I would definately be interested in some pics! Particularly front on. I guess you must have just bought the one I saw for sale in Perth recently.

Thanks again,

Nigel

[dullbird]

jock have you actually looked behind them to see if there is wires? because they look like indicators to me...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/10/767.jpg

Do these look like indicators to you? becasue they are ;)

[philco]

HI, I built my own bar for my 300Tdi will post a couple of pics tomorrow

[Jock The Rock]

jock have you actually looked behind them to see if there is wires? because they look like indicators to me...

Do these look like indicators to you? becasue they are ;)

DB that bar was on my Defender

Trust me I checked ;)

[dullbird]

I know it ws on your defender I'm not an idiot......I was only asking if you had actually checked for wires. its easy to assuming by just looking at it. ;)

You are the only person I know though mate that has reflectors....I think even mine look more like reflectors than yours do.....So i'm guessing if you never had that bar from new someone mayhave cracked them and was a tight arse and replaced them with reflectors.

I'm not saying they don't come with reflectors but I have personally yet to come across an arb that has them

[Wortho]

Not trying to be a smartarse here but any indicator that is not flashing looks like a reflector, in your pics the vehicle reflectors, sorry, indicators look exactly the same so really show nothing. As Dullbird said i'd say that whoever had you car before you was to tight to replace the indicators when they went and just left they lense's there.

[Sleepy]

That's what I was thinking too Wortho. Maybe they were a bit cracked when previous owner was selling it, so swapped in some cheaper reflectors.

I have only ever seen indicators there too.

[Allan]

Definatly indicators. Allan

[Nera Donna]

Hi Craig,

I would definately be interested in some pics! Particularly front on. I guess you must have just bought the one I saw for sale in Perth recently.

Thanks again,

Nigel

G’day Nigel,
Picked mine up in Sept/Oct last year from Southerns’. Work prevents me from spending much time in it and on it. To date she’s got 3,000 k’s on the clock! Can’t complain, a lot of people are out of work at the moment. I’m just thankful I still have a job. It’s an interesting vehicle, I’m really hesitant about touching it until I’m really sure that’s exactly what I want to do with it. All my other 4x4’s where all second hand and I modified each and everyone of then, no problem at all. But this one is different? I’ll post pic’s of the bar as soon as I pick it up and then after I fit it.

Craig

[Jock The Rock]

Okey dokey they are indicators. I'm sorry I was wrong and never should have suggested I knew what I was talking about ;)

Sounds a bit funny I guess when you have only seen a photo of the thing, and I have seen it up close, unsrewed the reflectors, checked for wires, found none and found no provision at all for a light setup. But apparently I'm still wrong :(

I think DB and Sleepy's suggestions are the only feasable option, would someone like to post up a pic of a Defender ARB bar to prove me wrong

[86mud]

I have just replaced the indicator lights on my 98 Defender bullbar. I am not sure if it an ARB or TJM brand.

The indicator lights are Hella 2101 at $35 each from Autobarn stores (Brisbane).

The 2 wires from the hella light are just spliced into the wiring behind the standard blinker light in the guard.

I try and post some pics tomorrow.

Thanks
Andrew

[dullbird]

Okey dokey they are indicators. I'm sorry I was wrong and never should have suggested I knew what I was talking about ;)

Sounds a bit funny I guess when you have only seen a photo of the thing, and I have seen it up close, unsrewed the reflectors, checked for wires, found none and found no provision at all for a light setup. But apparently I'm still wrong :(

I think Sleepy's suggestion is the only feasable option, would someone like to post up a pic of a Defender ARB bar to prove me wrong

I would just like to get my thunder back here I think the owner replacing lights with reflectors was actually my idea;):lol2: goodness me nothing ever goes back to the brains of the operation:mad::D

[SVX37]

ARB bar has indicators in the bar, not just reflectors, don't know where you got that one from.
Am about to fit our second bar to an SVX next week this one will be coulour coded same as side steps.

Hi Wortho,

What type/brand bull bar are you fitting to the SVX? And coloured black like the steps I presume?

Cheers,

[SVX37]

G’day Nigel,
Picked mine up in Sept/Oct last year from Southerns’. Work prevents me from spending much time in it and on it. To date she’s got 3,000 k’s on the clock! Can’t complain, a lot of people are out of work at the moment. I’m just thankful I still have a job. It’s an interesting vehicle, I’m really hesitant about touching it until I’m really sure that’s exactly what I want to do with it. All my other 4x4’s where all second hand and I modified each and everyone of then, no problem at all. But this one is different? I’ll post pic’s of the bar as soon as I pick it up and then after I fit it.

Craig

That's great - really appreciate that Craig! (I hear your frustration about not having much time to fdrive her but! :))

[Sleepy]

I would just like to get my thunder back here I think the owner replacing lights with reflectors was actually my idea;):lol2: goodness me nothing ever goes back to the brains of the operation:mad::D

I think someone (me:angel:) must have unscrewed your idea DB and replaced with a reflection of your idea:p

[Wortho]

Hi Wortho,

What type/brand bull bar are you fitting to the SVX? And coloured black like the steps I presume?




We are fitting an ARB bar (second one we will have done to an SVX) it's painted same as sidesteps (silver) first was black.



Sounds a bit funny I guess when you have only seen a photo of the thing, and I have seen it up close, unsrewed the reflectors, checked for wires, found none and found no provision at all for a light setup. But apparently I'm still wrong


Don't need to have been there when you took the photo, i deal with ARB bullbars all day every day, i have seen them being made in the factory, i have fitted them to Defenders and lastley i have one on my wifes Defender.
Was not having a go at you mate, it's hard to get the same meaning in your words when they are typed not spoken, sounded friendlier in my head as i typed it sorry if it came across different.



As Dullbird said


Hey i already gave you credit for that one, can i get get some thunder back for that:D

[dullbird]

yeah sure!!!!

it was sleepy indirectly that took the thunder....as it became a as sleepy said:lol2:

its ok I feel loved again now:D

[Jock The Rock]

Hey i already gave you credit for that one, can i get get some thunder back for that:D

Can't edit the post again sorry, it won't let me :(

And alright I admit defeat. They do have indicators, I had a squiz at a really nice Puma at AGFEST yesterday and that had indicators.

It was just mine didn't, and it teed me off a bit having people tell me I was wrong when I knew I was right. ;)

:)

[rovercare]

Can't edit the post again sorry, it won't let me :(

And alright I admit defeat. They do have indicators, I had a squiz at a really nice Puma at AGFEST yesterday and that had indicators.

It was just mine didn't, and it teed me off a bit having people tell me I was wrong when I knew I was right. ;)

:)

No you WERE wrong:p

You said ARB bars have reflectors, not indicators

This is untrue, from new, they all come with flashy things, someone must of replaced yours, for some strange reason:o

And just to be a pedant for the sake of a bite:angel:, they're not reflectors, nor are they indicators, they are repeaters:D

[dmdigital]

Indicators in Bullbar are an ADR thing. Or am I "repeating" something:p


Yes...No...Yes...No...

[dullbird]

No you WERE wrong:p


You said ARB bars have reflectors, not indicators

This is untrue, from new, they all come with flashy things, someone must of replaced yours, for some strange reason:o

And just to be a pedant for the sake of a bite:angel:, they're not reflectors, nor are they indicators, they are repeaters:D

This is absolutely right! Don't you just hate it when that happens :p:D

[Roulston]

Here is some photos of my SVX that show the bar modification and placement of the air compressor. Hope this helps

Allan

Nice rig Allan. I too have an SVX and love it, and I mean I really love this car, I have had cruisers, discos, wrx, short wheel base cruisers and the SVX is sooo cool. Hey, are you happy with the alloy checker plate installation. I have been thinking of doing it, but I was nervous enough when I took a drill to the guard to fit the snorkel. Drilling a suite of holes for the plates is a serious choice

For the others, I found an old bar, I think TJM for $200, and with some very minor welding fitted the winch and all is good. The bar did not have winch mounts, but it does now. I am not the best welder, but the mig makes it pretty easy. Besides it allowed me to fit a serious recovery point, a 4 tonn eye ring reinforced by 6mm plate. I also mounted tabs for the spots and antenna.

The mid-bar didn't need removal as it ran just below the main beams. Besides, I have HID H4 mains, HID H9 aux-lights, plus a pair of iron man HID spots. Light is not an issue.

Tony (SVX78)

[Sleepy]

Indicators in Bullbar are an ADR thing. Or am I "repeating" something:p


Yes...No...Yes...No...

On reflection, I think the indication of reflectors indicated that the indicators were .....................OMG STOP IT!:woot:

[Nera Donna]

That's great - really appreciate that Craig! (I hear your frustration about not having much time to fdrive her but! :))


Picked the bullbar up yesterday and when to fit it this avro. You guessed it, it doesn't fit :mad:. Frame rail holes on the bar are 84mm, frame rails on the Fender are 86/87mm!!!!! Guess I'll be sorting this out on Monday.
TJM type13 bar is starting to sound better al the time:confused:

[Jock The Rock]

Picked the bullbar up yesterday and when to fit it this avro. You guessed it, it doesn't fit :mad:. Frame rail holes on the bar are 84mm, frame rails on the Fender are 86/87mm!!!!! Guess I'll be sorting this out on Monday.
TJM type13 bar is starting to sound better al the time:confused:

Couldn't be too hard to modify it could it?

BTW that is a great looking bar :)

[philco]

here are a couple of pics of my bar i made a couple of months ago. great n having to worry about airbag compliance

[BlueWagon]

Yesterday I passed a minor nose to tail accident. The back vehicle was a 4x4 with TJM bar, It was pushed back and the front end was buckled. It had more damage than the sedan it had hit.

Cheers
Kenley

Landrover OE ones also push back and buckle. As you can see below I needed a new driver side indicator lens but Landrover only sell the entire indicator assembly...you can't just buy the lens.
Putting plastic light lenses on a bumper bar seems a dumb idea to me. Especially seeing that Landrovers with bullbars end up having 3 separate front indicators on each side..slight overkill.

Mark

[kenleyfred]

Mark
Their bar looks very similar to the ARB one, was that a minor bingle that caused that much damage? the accident I referred to was a very minor nose to tail.
Kenley

[solmanic]

...Landrovers with bullbars end up having 3 separate front indicators on each side..slight overkill.

Yes, but if you are positioned on the opposite side of the vehicle the front indicator can be totally obscured by the cato, so they need a clearly visible indicator on the bar.

[dullbird]

they only have two separate front indicators the other one is on the side :p

[BlueWagon]

Yes, but if you are positioned on the opposite side of the vehicle the front indicator can be totally obscured by the cato, so they need a clearly visible indicator on the bar.

Yeah I guess so, although with the ARB bar it is actually the added spotlights which do any obscuring from the opposite side of the vehicle.
However...applying this logic would mean that the spare wheel which comes mounted on the rear door from the factory, and which totally obscures the rear indicator from the opposite side of the vehicle, should have indicators mounted on it like bullbars.

Cheers
Mark

[Roulston]

Certainly they say that for legal reasons, but I have been under the impression that with a bridle they were more than strong enough. Land Rover tell me to never do a snatch recovery so it wouldn't get the sudden stress of a snatch.

If this is incorrect and they cannot be used I will have to go back to not having a clue. At present there is nothing on a SVX to use. The usual tie down point which Land Rover say to use with a bridle are covered by the SVX bash plate.
Cheers
Kenley

I know the pic is not very good, but this is a second hand bar I bought for $200. Some minor mig work to mount the winch and the it now fits the SVX.

Tony

[SVX37]

I know the pic is not very good, but this is a second hand bar I bought for $200. Some minor mig work to mount the winch and the it now fits the SVX.

Tony


Hey Tony - love the pic of your car even though quality not great as you said.
Do you know what brand the Bull bar was?
And I like the spotties too - what's the details of these?

[Roulston]

Hey Tony - love the pic of your car even though quality not great as you said.
Do you know what brand the Bull bar was?
And I like the spotties too - what's the details of these?

I wil try and get soem better photos.

I do not knwo the brand of the bar , but it is ld. Off a series III I think. It required only a very minor mod to fit, one bottom bracket had to be moved out by 5mm.

The lights are Ironman HIDs, which have been on special recently. Abotu $700-900 per pair and are great. But I have fitted HID H4s into the main lamps and HID H9 into the Aux high beams as well. I have lots of light.

A benefit fo HID is the low current draw.

Tony

[scott oz]

I picked up an old cow catcher bull bar. On lining it up to my TD5 2001 it catches the two small "tag" bulges on the side of the horns joining the top to the bottom on both sides.

The "tags" look to be small braces joining the lower horn to upper chaise. they’d be about 1" wide and look like they've been crushed causing a bulge and then welded to the top chaise rail.

I was thinking of just cutting the outside ones off which would allow the bar to slide on.

But I'd like to know what they do as they must have been put there for a reason

I know a it's a terrible description but if anyone has any thoughts it would be most appreciated

[Scallops]

here are a couple of pics of my bar i made a couple of months ago. great n having to worry about airbag compliance

Phil - mate, someone stole the numbers and letters orf ya number plate! :p

[philco]

first attempt at trying photo shop, haha, bar cost me $150 in materials and a few hours to weld it up, the longest thing was the design, DRANGED looked it over and thought it as good.
at least will keep the front being smashed in.

[PJH1109]

I've just had my SVX back from Irvin Bullbars in Midvale who did a superb job on the car and custom made I wanted. Granted it's affected the approach and departure angles a little, but I'm not going to be doing anything like that for a few years yet (too many young children), so I've got something that I think is stylish and blends in with the car nicely. I'll posts some pics if anyone is interested.

[SVX37]

I've just had my SVX back from Irvin Bullbars in Midvale who did a superb job on the car and custom made I wanted. Granted it's affected the approach and departure angles a little, but I'm not going to be doing anything like that for a few years yet (too many young children), so I've got something that I think is stylish and blends in with the car nicely. I'll posts some pics if anyone is interested.

Yes please! PJH1109

What number SVX are you?

[PJH1109]

I'm number 78 ! I'll get some pics of it and post them up - it's got the trailer on at the moment ready for (yet another) trip to the tip, so I'll sort if when I'm back. One thing I am a little disappointed in is the compulsory use of additional front indicator lamps - I went for the smallest ones I could find (2" LED) and recessed them into the front bumper of the bull bar - they get a bit lost in the black stripe - you'll see what I mean when I put up the pics. The side steps are a massive improvement (according to my 6 year old daughter) and the rear step is also great. The only thing I've got left to do is extend the exhaust pipe out to sit inside the cutout, and I'm done. Spot lights are in the car and ready to go on - only got it back on Friday...

[SVX37]

I'm number 78 ! I'll get some pics of it and post them up - it's got the trailer on at the moment ready for (yet another) trip to the tip, so I'll sort if when I'm back. One thing I am a little disappointed in is the compulsory use of additional front indicator lamps - I went for the smallest ones I could find (2" LED) and recessed them into the front bumper of the bull bar - they get a bit lost in the black stripe - you'll see what I mean when I put up the pics. The side steps are a massive improvement (according to my 6 year old daughter) and the rear step is also great. The only thing I've got left to do is extend the exhaust pipe out to sit inside the cutout, and I'm done. Spot lights are in the car and ready to go on - only got it back on Friday...

Are you sure you are 78? Not wanting to doubt you at all. It's just that another user on here is also that number........unless Landrover have made a mistake???:o

[PJH1109]

Er - no, it's 76, not 78 - just had a close look!

Anyway. here's the pics as promised.

Peter

[SVX37]

Thanks Peter - It looks terrific. Is is alloy or steel? Any chance of a front on when you get a chance some time? I think it matches the car very well in fact - just like it was genuine.

Cheers,

Nigel

[PJH1109]

Thanks for your kind comments Nigel - I think it's a 'love it' or 'hate it' thing - I'm pleased you like it too, and yes, I spent a lot of time (about 6 weeks) tweaking here and there before I was finally happy with the design, and the guys did a good job with it. The bumber is deeper than it could have been because I needed room to put a winch in later. There will be others who think it's truely awful and wonder what the hell I've done!

Here's the front.

Cheers


Peter

[dullbird]

You know what I absolutely hate those bullbars!!!!


BUT i think yours looks bloody fantastic.....I'm not kidding it just looks RIGHT! makes the car look beefy and toughens up that cheesy front end :)

[PJH1109]

Gosh - that's an accolade if ever I heard one...

Forgot to say, it's all alloy - black stripe is 'stuck' on and I've just got the LEDs working - they're 2 stage lamps, so I've wired them in as side lights and indicators - works well... Looks great.

[SVX37]

Thanks for the front pic Peter.....is it alloy or steel?:)

[dullbird]

you guys must of posted at the same time

[dmdigital]

You know what I absolutely hate those bullbars!!!!
I'm afraid there's nothing I like about that. You are right it is a love or hate thing and I think that style of bullbar in particular is archaic and only helps fuel the fires of those who want all bar work banned.

One thing in particular I can't understand is why the wrap around ends on the rear step/bumper? That is asking for trouble in the bush as its a very prominent catch point:confused:

[PJH1109]

I was expecting some dischord, so that's good.

The rear bumper wraps round to match the front. It's about 25mm off the bodywork on the sides - I agree it may catch the native fauna, but that will be a rare occasion for me, and therefore it won't pose much of a problem.

[Nera Donna]

Thanks for your kind comments Nigel - I think it's a 'love it' or 'hate it' thing - I'm pleased you like it too, and yes, I spent a lot of time (about 6 weeks) tweaking here and there before I was finally happy with the design, and the guys did a good job with it. The bumber is deeper than it could have been because I needed room to put a winch in later. There will be others who think it's truely awful and wonder what the hell I've done!

Here's the front.

Cheers


Peter

Bar work looks great Peter. It's given me some ideas. Thanks mate

Craig

[Roulston]

Here is my SVX78 in bondo forest last weekend with the new (old) bar.

Tony