Thread: BCC & HRA!

Originally Posted by DT-P38

I am a fan of std looking modifications like discreet (behind bumper) winch mounts and that all sounds like it goes hand in hand.

It would be nice to have a winch mount. My winch has sat under the bench ever since I've owned the P38A (13 years) - the winch came off my '86 RR.

Originally Posted by p38arover

It would be nice to have a winch mount. My winch has sat under the bench ever since I've owned the P38A (13 years) - the winch came off my '86 RR.

My brand new Tigerz11 one is still in its box under the house... Right next to the Hayman Reese mount winch cradle and the factory cradle copy that one of our fellow forumite's made up for me.

Lucky I drive a P38 and don't end up in positions where I need winching!

Originally Posted by DT-P38

Right next to the Hayman Reese mount winch cradle

Mine's on the bench, too.

Originally Posted by DT-P38

Lucky I drive a P38 and don't end up in positions where I need winching!

I'll second that! The places I've been over the years, only twice EVER have I had to get a snatch from another vehicle. Both times were not faults of the vehicle, first one was due to departure angle (no 4wd would have been able to reverse out of the ditch I was in), second time was because I diffed out (small tyres).

Never been bogged.

Cheers
Keithy

Hi Dave good to see your post here re suggestions, my thoughts would be similar to where I think you're at. Start with the smaller more consumable items first i.e. Eas Bypass Kit/ ValveBlock Rebuild Kit / Compressor Rebuild Kit / Diff Breather extension Kit / Quick release Sway Bar Kit.
You could then follow on from there with Lift Kits & Possibly stock items Locally such as Arnott's GenII & GenIII bags & possibly even Ashcroft Difflocks. I am willing to give you specs & parts list for items to replicate my Snorkel Kit if you wanted to sell as a DIY kit.

Good luck in your new venture ( Im sure you wont need it )
Martin

A few photos. No winch mount sorry, as my front recovery points have taken the chassis mount bolts.
The bash plate has been improved with tapered wing sections. I'll get some photos and post them.
Search under DIY rear wheel carrier.
Troy N

Best wishes with this venture Dave. I have every confidence that you have the passion and skills to make this successful.

Personally, I look forward to seeing the Hard Range brand being reinvented after having to make the difficult decision to close it down in early 2013.

Originally Posted by FANTOM P38

You could then follow on from there with Lift Kits & Possibly stock items Locally such as Arnott's GenII & GenIII bags & possibly even Ashcroft Difflocks.

Martin - the challenge for stocking stuff like Arnotts (and BBS) gear for a small business is the AUD exchange rate and Customs import duties. The vendors don't offer large discounts to distributors and in these days of internet shopping, it is difficult to be price-competitive once import duties and GST is paid. The only real advantage I offered by supplying locally was fast delivery and being a local advocate for my customers back to the vendor... which consumed a lot of time and effort.

On the BBS and Arnott's gear I used to sell through HRA, I was usually making 2-10% margin (depending on the AUD exchange rate when I purchased the stock), which is not sustainable for any business.
I reckon Dave will do well to stick to bespoke items and those that can be sourced and/or assembled locally.

Originally Posted by BritishCarComponents

I deliberately left the lift out to see how long it would take for people to want to add it to the list. It's unfortunate, but I am quite certain there are some legal implications around testing and engineering cert. that need to be met (mainly for satisfying TAC and private insurance purposes) with road going P38's adopting these suspension lifts.

At this point in time, when it eventually does come back to life it will ONLY be sold for Off Road and Competition use. Unless we can gain the appropriate cert's with minimal cost.

Of course, we couldn't be held responsible for where people drive their vehicles after we sell them the upgrades for off road and comp use...

Could we?

Correct Dave. It is not just the Australian market where this is an important consideration, and HRA lift kits were sold all over the world. Even in Australia, the legislation varied between states/territories.
The lift kits were never sold as "on road" kits and were for DYI install only. No installation or compliance testing services were offered. The onus was upon the purchaser to ensure that if the lift kit was to be fitted to an "on road" registered vehicle, that any local regulations are observed.

Originally Posted by benji

I'd echo the call for the alloy hra bar, and a snorkel. Was that bar winch compatable?

Originally Posted by p38arover

I had an early Hard Range alloy bar on my P38A for a while but it wasn't winch compatible. I sold it.

The bars with a single mounting bracket on the outside of the chassis rails were not winch-compatible. The bars with brackets on each side of the chassis rails had extra gusset plates and were winch-compatible.

Cheers, Paul.

Originally Posted by PaulP38a

The bars with a single mounting bracket on the outside of the chassis rails were not winch-compatible. The bars with brackets on each side of the chassis rails had extra gusset plates and were winch-compatible.

I forgot to say my Hard Range bar was one of the very early bars that Hardy Neale had made when he was the owner of HRA. If I recall, it came off Hardy's P38A as did my long range tank.