IanH Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I'm looking to increase the light output when on road for my 2000 defender 110 Td5 (with aircon) but can't decide which is the best way to go about it: 1) Mount a couple of spots on an A-bar - not sure if this is legal anymore? 2) Mount a couple of spots on a light bar - but I'm not sure if this is possible with air-con 3) Mount a couple of spots on the bumper - not sure if this will look a bit naff 4) Use a roof bar - don't think this will look as good Has anybody got a view on these and/or recommend any good suppliers of suitable mountings and lights. These are for use on road, lighting up the country lanes so need to be legal etc. etc. I'm okay on the wiring side, its just the best mounting options (oo-err) which I need advice on. Also - what can I do to brighten up the standard headlamps as well - again not sure what is legal and not for replacement bulb systems etc. All help appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Litch Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Assuming your standard headlamps are working correctly (the connectors are all good and the reflectors aren't rusted) then you can make them much more effective just by using standard wattage bulbs. I have found that Osram 90% brighter 55/60W are about the best, they have a pure whight light that really works well. Like I said earlier though if your existing lights aren't performing as they should then you need to get that sorted first. If you want to fit a pair of driving lamps for road use then I can also recomend Hella Rallye 3003 for high-beam, especially when also fitted the Osram 90% brigher 55W bulbs. I have a pair mounted on the bumper and they compliment the headlamps perfectly however having said that, the headlamps are so good that I rarely bring the aux lamps into operation. I live in the country and a lot of my driving is along un-lit lanes but these work perfetcly for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q-rover Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Not a lot beats the power of a HID-light Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 AFAIK, HID replacements are not legal, because the vehicle has no self levelling suspension system & no headlight wash system. More info about the legality >>> http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango59 Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I've fitted TD5 headlamps PIAA extreme white lamps and halfrauds ring spot with 100w h3 lamps in them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q-rover Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 AFAIK, HID replacements are not legal, because the vehicle has no self levelling suspension system & no headlight wash system. More info about the legality >>> http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps I know that, which is why the link is for extra driving lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars L Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 The HIDs in that link are spotlights, not replacements. Then I have to admit that I don't know what's legal in the UK... Over here, there would be no problem since they are only allowed to be used on high beam on road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petethepilot Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 The best way to enhance your driving lights is to put relays on them using the wire of sufficient thickness. Grab the power straight behind the alternator to the relay, so you will get the best voltage. If you let the car run and measure the voltage form the lamp connector now and after relaying with a proper wire, you will notice a difference of 1-2,5 volts depending on how corrugated your original wires are. Thats is directly proportional to the brightness of your driving lights. A nice plus on top of that is that the current to the lamps is no longer flowing thru the switch on steering column which saves you from buying light switches after another. Only the current needed to operate the relays will flow thru the switch which is a lot less than that needed to operate the driving lights! And then those Osram Nightbreakers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I know that, which is why the link is for extra driving lights. so make it clear in your reply these are driving/spot lights, it can't be any easier than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q-rover Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Or click the link before replying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanH Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 Thanks guys - keep those sugestions coming - I think I have a few thoughts on sorting out the existing now. HOweve, I'm not all that much further forward on mounting any additional lamps Are new A bars legal or not?Does anyone know of grill mounting options if air-con fitted?Or am I just stuck with bumper mounting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 A bars are legal, but IIRC manufacturers cannot fit them to new vehicles, don't think there's anything to stop you fitting one though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errol209 Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Does anyone know of grill mounting options if air-con fitted? I made a bar which sat across the grille mountings, but behind the grille, attached at each side with two steady arms going down. This has two arms which poke out downwards through the grille and have the lights on the end. It all fixes with the existing grille screws. PM me if you want it, as it doesn't fit anymore. Postage for the bar, + £20 for the pair of Ring 55W spots that go on them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavin Hatton Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 I made a bar which sat across the grille mountings, but behind the grille, attached at each side with two steady arms going down. This has two arms which poke out downwards through the grille and have the lights on the end. It all fixes with the existing grille screws. PM me if you want it, as it doesn't fit anymore. Postage for the bar, + £20 for the pair of Ring 55W spots that go on them! PM Sent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errol209 Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 PM Sent PM replied to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errol209 Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 PM replied to ... and deal done, bar sold. Does anyone want some measurements of it before I post it? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 that's a neat & well hidden method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Lloyd Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 If you can't find a A bar what about one of these? http://www.devon4x4.com/products_a/p2269c260/0/defender-spot-light-bar.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errol209 Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 that's a neat & well hidden method. I'll knock up a sketch over the weekend and post it up. There is one and only one correct sequence to fit it and the lights though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Fit Bar, Fit Grill, Fit Lights? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errol209 Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Fit Bar, Fit Grill, Fit Lights? Not quite what I meant, there are a few "Remove Lights, Reset Light Brackets With Socket You Can't Get On With Lights In Place, Refit Lights" cycles, 'coz of the way its made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanH Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 If you can't find a A bar what about one of these? http://www.devon4x4.com/products_a/p2269c260/0/defender-spot-light-bar.html Unfortunately only suitable for non air-con. I have found one from first four http://www.firstfour.co.uk/defender/shadow-lightbeam-air-con-1988025-227976-582171.php - anybody got any experience of these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errol209 Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 I'll knock up a sketch over the weekend and post it up. Sorry, pressure of work. light bar.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajh Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 My plan is to mount either an LED lightbar (expensive) in the grille or two of the flush mount Hella 90mm lamps in the same place. Doing my grille from scratch to be 5lb rock proof (Dempster highway and other rock-throwing roads) so having something integrated and steel in front of the FMIC just seems logical considering how much those cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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