davelr4x4 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I have two nice big handles on each end of my crossmember, I presume they're standard. Any idea what they are for? Are they my Landy's equivalent of love handles? 1992 Defender 90 Cheers, Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foggy3061 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Think they are also known as Bumperettes. Not sure on the true purpose for them but they fend off the odd minor impact and help keep your rear lights away from things! Have also once seen a series 3 tied to a tree via these to prevent it sliding further into a ditch, while the owner went for assistance (i presume!)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crwoody Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I have two nice big handles on each end of my crossmember, I presume they're standard. Any idea what they are for? Funny you should ask that, I used to ask myself that question when I had a 1989 D90 with those same handles on. I took mine off when I found they weren't strong enough to be of any real use for anything. They did appear to be a standard fitment then but not on the later ones, I've no idea of their real purpose, I'm sure someone will be along soon to enlighten us though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fender1234 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 not sure what there official use is but i use them to stand on sometimes as a step to get in the back and i thought they could save the rear lights if you reversed into somthing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoor Ed Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Hmmmmm? question I have asked myself too? Although in calling them "grab handles" haven't you just answered your own question Take them off and replace them with some decent rear bumperettes, they use the same holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 thought they could save the rear lights if you reversed into somthing no they don't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazelle Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Manual recovery device???? :P ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Aren't they the recovery points? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeSheds Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I think that they are the equivalent of the same thing on the WWII Jeep - handles for use when providing manual traction assistance... (pushing or pulling it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat_J Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I use them as steps. Or to tow snow sledges with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyoldgit Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I think that they are the equivalent of the same thing on the WWII Jeep - handles for use when providing manual traction assistance... (pushing or pulling it) That's my take on their original purpose too - bearing in mind that the early models were smaller and lighter. Cue pic of original centre steer 'bitsa' ..and one of my old MB's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantd5 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Sometimes certain designs really do not serve the purpose. Grab handles it is called but does anyone grab them at all? I wonder if sometimes the designers are in their right mind when they are given the task of finding solutions to simple things like steps behind the truck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madcowz Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I had to take them off when I fitted my rear benches as the brace that goes from under the wheelbox down to the chassis uses the very same holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeSheds Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 mmmm - link to more pictures pretty please? As to the practicality of them - I think that bearing in mind the (lack of) weight of the original Jeep and the expected availability of young, fit, strong and willing manpower (GIs) they were probably very useful at times during the mid forties As to their usefulness on a 90 today? I guess it depends on your situation and the strength of your, or your mate's, backs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 You can get some slightly more butch replacements. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars L Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I bought a pair second hand yesterday... Will put these on instead of the MoD bumperettes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyoldgit Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 mmmm - link to more pictures pretty please? As to the practicality of them - I think that bearing in mind the (lack of) weight of the original Jeep and the expected availability of young, fit, strong and willing manpower (GIs) they were probably very useful at times during the mid forties As to their usefulness on a 90 today? I guess it depends on your situation and the strength of your, or your mate's, backs Exactly! The original Land Rover prototype was cobbled together using a lot of gubbins from the wartime Jeep and therein lies the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 They are good at breaking a Morris Minor radiator when fitted to the back of a series one 107 pick-up when the Morris didn't stop on an icy road.... mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davelr4x4 Posted March 27, 2009 Author Share Posted March 27, 2009 I'd have thought they were a bit low to be useful for pushing or pulling. I think I'll leave them off until I find something else to put in the hole. I like the idea of a step to help when lashing things on the roof bars. Yours certainly look like they'll probly take my weight Les :-) Perhaps with a small piece of chequer plate on top. Life is full of complicated decisions. Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve King Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I thought they were for extracting ramblers from marshy ground! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveturnbull Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 They're quite useful for picking up the chassis and moving it around when you're doing a chassis swap and only have the front axle fitted... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantd5 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 The modern man has lost all traits of a "man". I guess the men of the 40's grabbed,whacked and wer physically active. I guess they could hold on the truck from descending any hill. Now we use winches and even use gloves when grabbing the wires and ropes on the winch. The old time farmers have palms that could grind off any rust under the chassis. I once shook hands with a farmer and got red palms instantly. He twitched mine mercilessly. I guess Les' is a modernised graber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyoldgit Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 There are still plenty of working hands about - besides many in the '40's had the added impetus of combat conditions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeSheds Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 There are still plenty of working hands about - besides many in the '40's had the added impetus of combat conditions There's nothing like being shot at for giving one impetus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51bigG Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I used mine for pullin my ass off the ground after kneelin and draining the water out of me fog and reversin lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.