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llessur

Member Since: 15 Nov 2011
Location: Hereford
Posts: 151

My indecisive addition to front bumpers

Am I the only one who is indecisive ? Whatever you think you may find this tale amusing.
I bought a 90 XS back in September last year and fitted a tubular steel nudge bar as I thought it would offer added protection to the radiator section that protrudes more on the air con models, also I think it went well with the tubular side steps that are OEM fitment and the tubular tow step I had had fitted. Then after reading on here about the legal aspects and dislike by insurance companies of steel bull bars I changed it for a LR Soft bar. It does not end here I am afraid. In early January I bent the front bumper on what I can only describe as thick shrubbery and ended up replacing it and fitting a soft bar. ( Have you noticed how thin the metal is of the OEM bumper compared to what they used to be when galvanised on the series Land Rovers.) When I replaced it I bought a military bumper, the one with the central snatch pin. My idea being that this would be stronger. I also fitted the end cap rubbers to the military bumper to keep the look. This I regret now, as last week, my pride and joy rolled about 10 feet into a tree. ( Yes my fault, I won’t go into details but it did involve a lack of hand brake application.) I think you will guess what happened, yes, yet again the bumper corner bent, but this time I ended up with the headlight panel pushed back and the side wing subsequently buckled out and creased. This in my opinion, ( forget the real reason of a lapse of memory and no handbrake) is because on older models, when the bumper bent back it quite often passed under the front panel , but now with the rubber end caps on the bumper, they quickly contact and push the headlight panel backwards. So off with the bumper and soft bar again. I tugged the front back leaving a minor crease in the side wing. This is where I learnt another lesson. I rang the local mobile dent man, to be told that he could not repair the side wing because it was alloy. In my naivety, I asked if this was because alloy was softer than steel and the panel might be stretched. In fact he said the opposite, in that when the wing is pressed, it work hardens , making it unsuitable for him to “tease” the dent out. So after getting a new side wing sprayed and fitted I have chosen to go for an even stronger bumber ( 6mm) without end caps, and I like the look of it so much, I am leaving the soft bar off.
So three bumpers and two A bars I am virtually back to the original look ( no wonder the wife cringes when I have accessories delivered and says everything is a “five minute wonder” with me) The only difference now is that the next memory lapse or tree that jumps out in front of me, shouldn’t result in a bent bumper and wing as it will probably be a bent chassis. Then again I might be changing it next month for a winch bumper. Who knows with me. Please someone somewhere, tell me I am not the only one who cannot make my mind up what I want.

22nd Mar 2012 9:38am

farmer giles

Member Since: 09 Feb 2011
Location: worcestershire
Posts: 1299

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Cairns Blue

land rovers are the only vehicle which look perfectly acceptable with dents; also parts are relatively cheap to replace (bumper etc) so you are driving the best vehicle for your "ability"

however if you do get a winch then do go on a course on how to use it safely, land rovers are a lot easier to mend than humans.

22nd Mar 2012 10:20am

mudrut

Member Since: 29 Feb 2012
Location: Stourport-on-Severn
Posts: 80

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

You aren't the only one! We all play with different ideas on our trucks and our wives/partners love us for it.

I read your post a couple of times and it seemed to me that actually, you did have a solution which you liked - but then changed it based on the perceived legal position. I say perceived because when I researched this, I thought that the whole state of the law was badly defined.

There is a big difference between bull-bars and bumpers. I suspect you would have had protection from your mishaps with a strong bumper. On my pre 2007 vehicles, I have steel a-bars and post 2007 I have bumpers only. I like the look and can say that they have all saved my body work on many occasions.

This shot demonstrates:

I am not a fan of the frangible OEM A-Bar, so when I wanted more lighting on the front of the Utility, I had some brackets made to mount them directly to the winch bar.

Click image to enlarge

Last year's rework of my Tomb Raider down at Devon 4x4 involved a custom version of their excellent bumper:

Click image to enlarge

(Yes, Nush is driving - sadly the damn truck gets in the way!)

When thinking about a winch, keep in mind that it will likely involve you in suspension modification. Easy and relatively cheap to do...... but your wife will kill you.

regards

Ian

22nd Mar 2012 10:35am

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20294

mudrut wrote:

When thinking about a winch, keep in mind that it will likely involve you in suspension modification. Easy and relatively cheap to do...... but your wife will kill you.

regards

Ian

The extra weight I assume? What modifications maybe needed?

Regards

22nd Mar 2012 10:40am

dgardel

Member Since: 30 Nov 2008
Location: Veneto (Heart & Head)
Posts: 3586

From one of our site sponsor, in aluminium....

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IID Pro MV License

22nd Mar 2012 11:15am

mrandmrsh

Member Since: 31 May 2010
Location: Huddersfield
Posts: 692

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Santorini Black

Bloody hell Daniele that is an thing of beauty 2015 110 USW XS in Santorini with premium contrast leather seats in tan/black, black headlining and with Dual Finish alloys (in the garage, now on Wolf rims with Goodyear MT/Rs)

2012 '62' 2.2 X-Tech 110 USW now gone ...
1984 90 soft top with full roll cage, 200 tdi engine etc now sold
2012 USW XS 2.2 "FUU" now gone....

22nd Mar 2012 11:49am

Zagato
Site Supporter

Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Billingshurst West Sussex
Posts: 5012

Yikes, I murder anyone that bent my front

Top of the mods list is now the Devon4x4 heavy duty bumper, it's a nice bit of kit, very strong, has recovery eyes built in but is the exact same size as the original so you can even put your OE bumper ends on

http://www.devon4x4.com/index.php?page=sho...;Itemid=14

22nd Mar 2012 1:10pm

llessur

Member Since: 15 Nov 2011
Location: Hereford
Posts: 151

Wow, I think I have now got bumper envy, that really is nice. Oh, I wish you hadn't posted it up here

Modifiying really is addicitve. I was just as bad as a child. I think I had about 10 different coloured coats of Dulux ( hand brushed with big runs) on my push bike.

22nd Mar 2012 1:53pm

bpman

Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black

llessur wrote:
Wow, I think I have now got bumper envy, that really is nice. Oh, I wish you hadn't posted it up here
Modifiying really is addicitve. I was just as bad as a child. I think I had about 10 different coloured coats of Dulux ( hand brushed with big runs) on my push bike.

yeah but don't tell the bank manager, the entreq bumper has got to be almost 4 figures

22nd Mar 2012 7:31pm

leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8580

bpman wrote:

yeah but don't tell the bank manager, the entreq bumper has got to be almost 4 figures

To be honest it is five figures £ABC.XX

We saw one of the prototypes and yes not only a thing of beauty but are well designed and made. Quality items do not come cheap.

Brendan

22nd Mar 2012 7:57pm

Zagato
Site Supporter

Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Billingshurst West Sussex
Posts: 5012

No good for me, all the dirt would clog up inside the holes

22nd Mar 2012 10:14pm

xatzhs

Member Since: 12 Dec 2010
Location: Northumberland & Down South
Posts: 258

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black

Zagato wrote:
Yikes, I murder anyone that bent my front

Top of the mods list is now the Devon4x4 heavy duty bumper, it's a nice bit of kit, very strong, has recovery eyes built in but is the exact same size as the original so you can even put your OE bumper ends on

http://www.devon4x4.com/index.php?page=sho...;Itemid=14

I'd wait until Kona sorts out a deal for site sponsorship though...

23rd Mar 2012 12:32am

chiefstoker

Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: Weston-super-Mud
Posts: 897

Zagato wrote:
No good for me, all the dirt would clog up inside the holes

I very much doubt it!! 2005 TD5 90 Hard Top

Beer 'n Sex 'n Chips 'n Gravy

23rd Mar 2012 6:26am

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