Thread: L322 Bullbar development! Finally

Originally Posted by 101RRS

That action will make the bar no longer compliant (if it is compliant).

Oh and the compliance plate needs to be an "official" plate/label and not one the business have just made up themselves.

However as the RRS people have done, if you are happy with it then it is your call on whether to put it on - odds are you will have no trouble but if you have an accident or incident there could be ramifications and as such it is a risk management decision on your part.

Indeed good advice.

The big difference with the RRS using a Disco bumper is that at the least, the chassis dynamics are the same. So crash pulse would be very similar if not exact.

The FFRR is a very different beast under that skin, and a custom bar could trigger too early or too late, both can have fatal consequences (think chest crushed)

Have been to Perth and had initial fit for bar, and had my queries answered regarding compliance and how they intend to mount it.

Bar is to be mounted via some pretty solid looking steel mounting brackets that attach to front subframes (through holes cut in bumper).
It appears that it will be not that difficult to unbolt should I need to remove bar for major repairs.
Also asked them to enlarge the front ventilation, which is not as restricted as I had thought and it appears that airflow won't be impacted very much (if at all).
After initial fitment, they have re-fitted front bumper (see pic) while bar is sent to powder coaters who are closed for Christmas and beyond.
It will be fitted over the existing front bumper with fog lights and park sensors fitted to roobar.
Heading back in 2 weeks for fitment.
Only real issue is that limited colours available from powder coaters, so have to live with sort of silver grey.
bar work.jpg

And compliance? Are they Engineering it for you so it’s legal?

oh lordy, its happening. Top work.

Originally Posted by Homestar

And compliance? Are they Engineering it for you so it’s legal?

When I queried compliance and my insurers interest in bar compliance, they were emphatic that bar comes with guarantee of compliance (attached to it), and meets all legislated design requirements.
I have a reply (below) from WA Department of Transport on requirements for bullbars.

A poorly designed FPS may affect the triggering of the airbag sensors in the event of a crash, causing the air bags to activate at the incorrect time.
In the worst case, this can cause significant additional injury to the occupant.
The bar manufacturer is responsible to ensure the bar when fitted has not affected the vehicles safety systems (Air bag deployment timing).
Bar manufactures usually test their bars design and rate of deformity at an approved test facility. (That might be the gap in the theory behind design compliace, if it wasn't tested at an "approved' facility.)
The bar is tested in regard to crushability to ensure it is not to ridged as to affect the vehicle air bag sensors.
The bar is not tested on a vehicle, so an approved designed and tested bar may be appropriate for vehicle, the bar manufacturer should be able to confirm this. (They say it is!)

The labelling on the Bar shall display the following information in permanent and legible letters not less than 4 mm high:
• A description indicating the vehicle make and year model(s) for which the FPS is suited
• The FPS manufacturer’s business name • An identification code that permits the manufacturer (or importer) to identify a specific production batch
• The statement “This product and the associated fixings must not be modified”
• A statement to confirm that the vehicle continues to comply with all applicable ADRs*

Having looked at the ADR requirements for bars, they are pretty minimal (more about style than substance), with most of the emphasis being on ensuring that the bar does not adversly affect the vehicle safety system.The manufacturers are WA's only bar manufacturers, and have been making bars for many makes for close to 50 years, and are preffered suppliers locally for new car 4WD dealers.
This week they are developing a bar for the new Toyota Hilux's due out shortly, and if Toyota are happy with their product on new model vehicles, then I figure they probably have the smarts to fit me a bar that will pass inspection. What I have seen so far, encourages me to think the bar will do its job and complies with ADR requirements.
Since all origional sensors remain in place and the front bumper facing is still retained I expect that it will require the bar to collapse on to the bumper before safety systems go off.
I figure that if it stops roos, saves the front of my vehicle and doesn't affect handing, and doesn't look too ugly, that will be OK with me.

so this bar is not a bull bar per say as every one has been wanting, it's a brush bar the fits in front the existing bumper?

This aligns with my understanding of the issue, everyone has been saying its impossibly expensive, but I just don't understand how so many custom bars could be made for new cars where they would all have to go through restrictive testing. I see rando bars on cars all the time. they cant all be illegal!

I've also had conversations with custom bar manufacturers here in Brisbane where they are adamant that ADR compliance is fine to handle.

Personally, I've been waiting for my backorder OEM steel bar from the UK to come to fruition, it appears as though 'supply issues' = vapourware.

Depending on how this thread goes, might cancel the order and take the plunge as well.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

so this bar is not a bull bar per say as every one has been wanting, it's a brush bar the fits in front the existing bumper?

Slightly more than a brush bar id say, looks fairly rigid!

Irvin bullbar.jpg