 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > What have you fitted, you wouldn't fit again... |
 
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| Bobble Member Since: 21 Aug 2011 Location: Hampshire Posts: 223  
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Never seen the point of roof-mounted spots. Something else not entirely road legal that seems to be all the rage.
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19th Dec 2011 10:05am |
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| The Boy Member Since: 28 Aug 2008 Location: East Northants Posts: 1459 
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This will probably be controversial but tuning/remaps. I know for many it works well but for me it did not. (Is there any value in second hand tuning boxes?)
I see the point about roof lights but sheepishly admit to having them on the roof rack. Surprised to read about the bonnet gas struts. Was thinking about that on mine but probably not bother now. |
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19th Dec 2011 10:19am |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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They're completely legal if wired to the main beam (like any other spotlights) but I'd agree that they have limited day-to-day use. If doing a lot of night driving over rough terrain, then they can help to dispel the shadows that regular lights create, but the most use I've ever found was driving through some very long un-lit tunnels in Norway. Not a regular UK problem though. Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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19th Dec 2011 10:20am |
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| Happyoldgit Member Since: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3471 
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Wife and two kids, unfortunately they have resisted attempts at permanent removal
 Steve.
Owned numerous Land Rover vehicles of all shapes and sizes over the decades. Current Defender: A non tarts hand-bagged Puma 110 XS USW. [Insert something impressive here such as extensive list of previous Land Rovers or examples of your prestigeous and expensive items, trinkets, houses, bikes, vehicles etc] http://forums.lr4x4.com I used to be Miserable ...but now I'm ecstatic. |
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19th Dec 2011 11:20am |
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| 110SEB Member Since: 29 Jan 2009 Location: Essex, England Posts: 1444 
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I thought that they needed to have their own switch and be independent of the main beams. |
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19th Dec 2011 11:31am |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8581
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There is a lot of confusion about the legality and practicality of additional driving lights/spot lights etc.
Basically to be LEGAL for on road use in the UK Lamps/bulbs have to be EC marked They have to be wired through the main beam switch, a separate switch may also be used but they must go out when going from main to dip beam. Separate switch just gives you option of additional lights with main beam or not. Positioning of lights are governed by the Vehicle Lighting regulations. There is no legal restrictions on lights at roof level in the UK, nor being behind the front axle. We wire our roof lights independent of main beam so they are ILLEGAL for road use in the UK. However does give you a completely independent light circuit if anything goes wrong with main light circuit. A lot of after market lights are NOT EC marked and are ILLEGAL for road use in the UK. Additional driving lights are NOT part of the MOT test. Roof lights should NOT blind driver if they are good lights and properly positioned with a matt bonnet.. Having roof lights too low down can impinge on drivers sight line, poor design of lights so you get sideways light spill will spoil drivers night sight. Polished shiny bonnets will also cause problems. We use roof lights only infrequently, but when we do they are extremely useful. Please note it is NOT ILLEGAL to have non EC marked lights fitted, it is NOT ILLEGAL to have them wired separately from the main beam switch. It is only ILLEGAL to use such a system on UK roads. There again would you really need to use roof lights on UK roads? The only roof light we have managed to damage is an IPF one from gravel rash from an Australian road train. Brendan |
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19th Dec 2011 11:52am |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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No, the exact opposite. There are no (or very few) limits on additional main beam lights. It's when they're wired for independent operation, as Brendan describes, that they're illegal, Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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19th Dec 2011 12:04pm |
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| Bobble Member Since: 21 Aug 2011 Location: Hampshire Posts: 223
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See? So many strings attached it just ain't worth the potential hassle. You just know that if someone has an off whilst coming towards you and Plod see spotlights on the roof then one line of investigation will be the chances of having dazzled the other driver. Roof lights are yet another "Look at me, I'm a serious off-roader, no school runs for me yer know" addition. Also bear in mind there's the usual caveat that in order to be driving on most green lanes, said lane has to be a Public ROW so the RTA'89 still applies. |
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19th Dec 2011 12:18pm |
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| The Boy Member Since: 28 Aug 2008 Location: East Northants Posts: 1459
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You REALLY don't like roof light do you? |
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19th Dec 2011 12:31pm |
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| ken Member Since: 18 Aug 2009 Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !! Posts: 4328
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I really dont get this I hate roof lights debate
I'll fit to my vehicle what I want end of It will be fitted correctly and used as intended Yet to see a Truck (LGV) to be pulled for roof lights and they rarely go off road (unless your HET) those deserts are very dark |
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19th Dec 2011 1:54pm |
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| Zagato Site Supporter Member Since: 08 Jan 2011 Location: Billingshurst West Sussex Posts: 5013
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-DEFEN...6072129614
Looked like a right knob with one on each wing |
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19th Dec 2011 2:20pm |
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| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731  
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Definitely one for the "fashion police" 
I'm not sure about the chequer-plate on my ar*e but it's been scraped already so perhaps it's earned its place... Tell someone you love them today because life is short. But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
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19th Dec 2011 3:25pm |
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| ben_j85jty Member Since: 02 Sep 2008 Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire Posts: 491 
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Just show's what a broad church we are - everyone has their own opinion of a worthwhile mod.
I like roof lights, and even with a white bonnet never had an issue with glare. They came in handy in the desert both on the one occasion I drive at night (to rescue one of the guides) and when we hit a fesh fesh plain. The only reason I didn't get rear ended was because I put my rear too mounted spot on. And I found the vent cover really effective at improving the ventilation on a 200tdi. 2002 Defender 110 DC |
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19th Dec 2011 5:29pm |
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| Merlin Member Since: 30 Oct 2010 Location: Newmarket Posts: 981
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Hey, don’t knock bush cables – I’ve fitted mine to my roll cage, at one end, and to the bull bar at the other. Wonderful for greenlaning (and no doubt parting the pedestrians in a crowded high street) and they saved my lunch once. I’d put my fish and chips down on the wing top, as you do, while I picked my tea. An enormous seagull decided to loot my grub but was seen off by the bush cables. It was sooo satisfying to see him bounce off the stainless steel.
Roof lights, four of and again just great in a night-time forest. Though I wouldn’t fit a 55w work light as a reversing light again, 110w is much better! Merlin http://www.bushcables.com/1.html [/code] |
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19th Dec 2011 6:25pm |
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