G'day, that bar looks to have Defender style round jack insert points. If so then it's not the bar I was thinking of ( so many versions out there). That would also suggest that it's plenty strong enough to carry a jerry can. I would still get a fabrication shops input before swinging a spare any larger than standard off of it though. Cheers, Bush Ranger.
You might be able to get away with something mounted over the center bracket but I wouldn't be putting significant weight on the corners of it.
I notice you have a recovery point bolted to the centre which is an interesting idea but I'm not sure how it would stand up in a decent snatch anyone got some input on this if people reckon its safe I might consider something similar for mine
Yeah, mine looks like the one in your photos Distortion, I agree that the mounting tabs on the bar itself don't seem that strong!
That rear recovery point was a bit of a last minute addition for a weekend away and would have only been a last resort for a snatch as I had the same worries that it might not be strong enough.
I need to refit the towbar but the two big long bolts that go through the cross member and that bracket for the bumper (shown really nicely on one of your photos) wouldn't line up with the holes in the tow bar so I ended up removing the tow bar.
After looking at it, the problem seems to be that the angle of the surface on the bottom of that bracket and the angle of the surface on the top of the tow bar don't quite match up. I need to take an angle grinder to the top of the tow bar to get it to sit flush with the bottom of the bumper to allow those bolts to pass through.
From your photos, it looks like you had no probs Distortion.
cheers,
Dan
Edit: I've doctored one of your photos distortion to show what I mean (hope you dont mind)
Last edited by DieselDan; 3rd July 2012 at 09:25 AM.
Reason: added pic
Here's some pictures of the complete new assembly.
The bumper is a local made item made from 5mm steel, powder coated and reinforced at the critical points. The workshop who made it also makes all of the steel bumpers for the UN cars here...top quality stuff but not cheap.
The bumper alone was $850 and the two swing out wheel carriers was an additional $1400.
If anyone wants to fit these particular brand of Outback Accessories Duel wheel carriers you should know that the main support tubes were shortened by 10cm and re-welded & then powder coated.
The reason being that two x 32" mounted on these carriers will sit outside of the body line by about 8cm...totally obscuring the rear view mirrors and rear tail lights.
I have already informed the supplier of this and would hope that they take my comments on board for anyone wanting to purchase the same dual carriers for a Discovery Series I.
The two additional light clusters are LED items and they fit onto the manufacturers fitment points.
I'll be getting rid of the wheel covers too....the psychedelia might hypnotize following vehicles and apart from the clear centers I think they are just plain ugly.
The reason for two spares is I'm taking part in a three week crossing of India's Rajesthan desert next year and spare rubber won't be available.
The left side spare wheel can also be replaced by a twin jerry holder for water & or more fuel.
All in all I'm very happy with the entire assembly and welcome any comments.
So what did your workshop do in the way of strengthening/reinforcing the bar, particularly at the mounting points? Does it retain the original mounting points onto the chassis?
As far as I know they used the original chassis mounting points. The bumper assembly is an entirely new fabricated piece along the lines of an original but made with 5mm steel.
Love the set up streaky, looks strong and very well finished mate. Oh and agree, those wheel covers.......huh? Looks like one of the Angry birds freakin' out.
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