legal SRS airbag winch Bar for soft dash classic?

[Johnty67rangie]

Problem, I need a winch bar for my soft dash classic rangie. Although I have illegally had a bar on the front for many years and unplugged the air bags, I have become aware of a case where insurance was refused someone when they rammed the back of a merc, on the basis that they had an illegal bar on the front. Cost them $25,000, for the oversight.
Does anyone know of any legal/ winch bar for an SRS classic? Or a way of legally overcoming the problem having the need for a bar on the front.?

[6.5 rangie]

A discovery bar can be modified to fit, all you need to do is cut the sides of the bar where it raps around the front gaurds and trim back the bit infront of the grill/headlights. I fitted one to my classic before, looks like a factory fit. Not sure if they do airbag ones for classics, but they do for discos. All mounts are the same.

[Johnty67rangie]

Thanks, is it a disco 1 or 2?
I have heard this before and was considering. However despite the probable functioning of the air bags, the Bull bars have a compliance plate stating the vehicle year make model etc and also under the rules says they cannot be altered in any way. thereby registering the bar illegal still under the compliance regulations or at least how I understand it.? So few RR classics had airbags that ARB or others have or did not spend the dollars in having compliant bars tested as they would never get their money back on these vehicles. Unless someone has or did have this done that I am yet to find out about or am missing something regarding compliance hence my question. I am even thinking of putting the original bumper back on with the crush cans and putting winch cradle underneath set back just enough to not interfere with the bumper. Perhaps someone has done this?

[Philip A]

Unless someone has or did have this done that I am yet to find out about or am missing something regarding compliance hence my question. I am even thinking of putting the original bumper back on with the crush cans and putting winch cradle underneath set back just enough to not interfere with the bumper. Perhaps someone has done this?

I just recently fitted a towbar receiver to my 92 to use a portable Warn 4000Lb winch ( in abox with receiver) which I have had for 20 years. Many places sell cradles for 10,000Lb winches. IMHO this is better than a permanent winch as you can use it on the back with proper cables and it doesn't suffer from the weather, and you don't have to carry it around all the time.

It was pretty easy. All I did was go to a trailer place at West Gosford and ask if they had any NOS or second hand towbars they would sell me cheap. They had a new Daihatsu Delta HR one which they sold me for $100. I had to cut some off one end and grind off a couple of brackets, and I tack welded the end plate back on , which I then took back to them to properly weld.
I then offered it up to make sure the winch would not foul the bumper bar and drilled the correct holes.
The Delta towbar is HEAVY DUTY so weighs a bit more than a ute one at 11KG, but nothing like a bullbar at 45Kg. A ute one which should be sufficient would only weigh est 8Kg. AFAIK the bumper mounts on yours are the same as mine and the crush cans are in front so it should be possible.
If you want I can take some photos but I have now refitted the spoiler with a hole for the receiver.
Its hard dirty work but if you can DIY its doable. I think that a winch cradle would stick down a lot if under the bumper.
That's my suggestion.
Regards Philip A

[Johnty67rangie]

Thanks for the suggestion, However I am more interested in a permanent fixture. Just wanting to see If I can do it legally.
regards