auf_wiedersehen_pet Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 If I fit a NATO hitch to my Disco HD bumper will the rear door still be able to be opened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisW70 Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Yes but I've known some disco's that have to have the jaw swivelled 90 deg to get the door open, especially if the hinges are worn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auf_wiedersehen_pet Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share Posted March 14, 2011 Many thanks Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 If you take a run at it the hitch will usually modify the door to fit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auf_wiedersehen_pet Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share Posted March 14, 2011 If you take a run at it the hitch will usually modify the door to fit Ouch!! I could jigsaw a tunnel into the bottom of the tailgate for clearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrKev Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Mine clears it, but not by much. I suspect it wouldn''t have done had I not changed and adjusted the door hinges a couple of months before hand. My bumper is the Britpart one incidentally, and contrary to my fears, it's actually pretty well made. The apertures for the lights were a little tight, and the holes for the mount to the original bumper mount points were something silly like 16mm, so mega sloppy, but I'm quite pleased with it. As others have said though, swivel the hitch and it'll be plenty clear. Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auf_wiedersehen_pet Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share Posted March 14, 2011 Cheers Kevin Is your bumper anything like this? http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg26/auf_wiedersehen_pet/Rear%20Bumper/100_2692.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrKev Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Yes, though I've got a NATO on, rather than one of those swivels. It looks like this:- http://www.britpart.com/Accessory.asp?PageRef=4&AccessoryRef=2662&AccessoryVehicleRef= Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 the holes for the mount to the original bumper mount points were something silly like 16mm, so mega sloppy But that means one can use M12 bolts instead of the original M10. Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrKev Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Yes, you can, however, you'll also do well to re-enforce the 2-3mm thick bit of bumper bracket sticking out of the chassis that you're bolting it to... The majority of the force through the NATO hitch / swivel is transferred through 4x M12 bolts into a bracket wrapped round the rear chassis cross member, and via 2x M12 (in double shear) through the chassis itself, as per the tow bar bracket. The two bolts at the end really serve as to keep it on straight, and take some of the force when you use a hi-lift, for example. Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
octo0072000 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Yes, you can, however, you'll also do well to re-enforce the 2-3mm thick bit of bumper bracket sticking out of the chassis that you're bolting it to... The majority of the force through the NATO hitch / swivel is transferred through 4x M12 bolts into a bracket wrapped round the rear chassis cross member, and via 2x M12 (in double shear) through the chassis itself, as per the tow bar bracket. The two bolts at the end really serve as to keep it on straight, and take some of the force when you use a hi-lift, for example. Kevin that bumper also makes your disco illegal and a mot fail you will need some stick on red reflectors and that certain co should supply them ?? all good fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrKev Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Yep, totally agree. There's even a nice flat area where they could have done this. At the very least, I think they should have provided fitting instructions with it, but I was able to sus it out all by myself These fitting instructions could have then mentioned that you would be required to source reflectors etc.. Fortunately I had picked up a good handful at the Great Dorset Steam Fair last year in anticipation of this need, @ 50p each. Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M&S Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Wasn't aware of the reflector issue. Why do these bumpers need reflectors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrKev Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Well, specifically a motor vehicle needs two (or more) rear facing red retro reflectors. Since the disco has these on the rear bumper as standard, removing said bumper will also remove said reflectors, hence the need to add two more (somewhere) to keep Mr Plod happy. Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 There are reflectors in the tail light cluster. Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disco_al Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 There are reflectors in the tail light cluster very true, although most MOT testers wouldn't be aware of that, and only usually look for the separate ones. for the cost, better to be safe than sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Whilst folk like to blame Britpart for many woes I don't think they can be held responsible for incompetent MoT inspectors Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrKev Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Mine (300tdi) doesn't have reflectors in the light clusters, in fact I don't recall seeing any series I disco with them there - got a picture? Disco series IIs have them in the light cluster... Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 They're between the stop/tail and indicators on all our 300TDIs Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrKev Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 This is what I've got. The 'additional' reflectors being fitted on the bodywork still, from before the HD bumper was fitted but after I lost the plastic end caps.... I can see why an MOT man would fail the reflectors if there are supposed to be some in that light cluster! Kev IMAG0048 by MrKev, on Flickr IMAG0051 by MrKev, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I can see why an MOT man would fail the reflectors if there are supposed to be some in that light cluster! Nonetheless I spoke to one of the testers at our local indie and he assured me that the reflectors in the light cluster are all that is required for the MoT. Niamh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
octo0072000 Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 well not opening a can of worms but if D1 had reflectors in the light clusters why did landrover fit them on the bumper end caps as well as far as know there are no reflectors fitted in D1 light clusters and if i tested it it would fail as having none Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niamh Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Don't you trust the word of an actual qualified tester. FWIW the company's L200 was in for testing at the time of our conversation and he pointed out that the extra reflectors factory fitted to that weren't necessary either. Now it may well be that the regulations in other countries require reflectors independent of the rear light cluster... Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannytd5 Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 The mot book always seams to put the ball in your court and what he said to me were if in doubt pass and advise At work I'm a tester n another guy is I'll pass reflectors in the rear lights were as he won't but this is on motorbikes His argument for this is when the rear lights on you can't see the reflector My argument is you don't need a reflector as the rear lights on The mot manual always seams to put it down to your opinion in my eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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