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Can I run my spotlights in this position...

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:34 am
by beefa125
Guys,

I recently bought a rollbar for the back of my Hilux, the trouble is a i have a checkplate toolbox running up againt the front of the tray so the front of the roll bar will have to sit back about 30-40 cms from the back of the cab

If I run spotlights Im thinking that they will shine through the back window into the cab and the reflection would also bounce of the roof

I am thinking my only option is to move the tool box.. what you guys think ?

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:50 am
by -Scott-
Move it.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:11 am
by chimpboy
Regardless of the spotties, you want the roll bar right behind the cabin.

But anyway, yep, the spotlights will shine through the back window for sure, and they will be unuseable.

Jason

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:23 am
by beefa125
Thanks Guys, I figured this bit pretty much, was just checking...

Thanks for your help

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 10:12 am
by V6XtraHilux
not that it makes much difference to anybody, but people are starting to get booked for over-the-cab-spotlights as they are actually illegal, UNLESS they can be rotated flat (point upwards) easily.

cops should stick to catching crims! :twisted:

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 10:51 am
by Ruffy
Define illegal?
In victoria you can mounts lights where ever you want as long as you stick to the guidelines refering to light reflection and deflection/drivers feild of view. This is the only thing that limits there location.
Because the state governments cannot seem to be able to communicate in the same language however, i'm sure the rules for NSW and QLSD would be different :x

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 3:45 pm
by bogged
Ruffy wrote:Define illegal?
In victoria you can mounts lights where ever you want as long as you stick to the guidelines refering to light reflection and deflection/drivers feild of view. This is the only thing that limits there location.
the bacon/vicroads are what limit the location - they tell u one thing, then do something else.
Been mentioned plenty of times before, that lights were limited to 1200mm from the ground regardless of front or rear.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:27 pm
by mickyd555
work lights can be mounted at any height cant they?? make them flip up lights if your worried.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:36 pm
by runnin4life
i was told that u can put your lights any where you want they only become illegal when they are switched on

if thats the case u can tell the police to prove u had it turned on or piss off before you take them for harasment

that probally wouldnt work the bacon would just find something else to ticket you for

i duno if any of this is true but im gunna go with it

cheers
elliot

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:11 pm
by Ruffy
Don't happen to have a VICROAD's LVT do you bogged?????????????
Check the roadworthy laws. If you're running with the 1200mm rule your so out dated i'm suprised you have a PC with windows on it!

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:38 pm
by CRUSHU
Ruffy wrote:Don't happen to have a VICROAD's LVT do you bogged?????????????
Check the roadworthy laws. If you're running with the 1200mm rule your so out dated i'm suprised you have a PC with windows on it!
oh, so you are fully updated? Why don't you share with us?

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:48 pm
by bushy555
doesnt really matter...

ADR's are different to that of the state law which is different to that of the RTA highway dude which is different to one police dude to another.

Your sweet if you know all the local police. Your not sweet if your pulled over by a RTA dude who is in a cranky mood.

Piccy taken last saturday. Think I might be a tad bit both illegal and a bit too extreme. (headlights and all spotties have HID bulbs in them... total of 350 watts)

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:02 pm
by pongo
doesnt it say some where that your only allowed 6 forward facing lights.

The legal have been done to deth.

P.S. Reports in that the bidgee near narrandera is fishing well.

Cheers

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:06 pm
by -Scott-
I've always understood that roof-top lights are illegal for on-road use, and they can only fine you for using them on-road.

The lights on top of the bullbar are considered to interfere with the driver's vision, and an unacceptable risk to pedestrians. They're illegal whether they're turned on or not.

Scott

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:06 pm
by Modified Toy
It only becomes illegal when you get caught! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
by grazza
So you must be a hunter, have a competition car or a farmer.
Why else would you need lights on the roof.

Its like people driving with their "fog" lights on during the day - it might be safer (really?) but its usually only the "bling" cars you see with them on.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:16 pm
by Ruffy
For those in vic try the vicroads website!! :idea:
you'll find all you need to know.
But then if you're going to be worried about your lights what about tyre diameter? and track increases etc etc. Not many of our modified rigs would be technically roadworthy any way. I know mine ain't. It's not unsafe but not "roadworthy".

if your lights are mounted as per the current regs for your state then it doesn't matter what the cops or rta tell you on the side of the road. What does matter is what the technician says when you take your car to get inspected. Simple- print out a copy of the relevant reg off the web site and take it with you if you think you're going to have an issue. Neither the police nor vicroads officers hold a LVT licence and therefore cannot issue a roadworthy certificate. What they can do is be a pain in the bum and make you get one. If you've got a problem with there behaviour, attitude or items that they pick on then there are avenues to follow and follow them you should. These guys are not god and shouldn't behave like they are. We pay there wages, remind them of that.
As for being up to date... Here is an extract from my Licenced vehicles testers and examiners guide. The book you refer to when conducting a Road worthy check. ssued to me in November 2005.
"Driving lights on roof bars:
Driving lights on roof bars must:
1. be correctly aimed (same as high beam requirements).
2. not exceed the maximum of six lights on high beam.
3. not be capable of causing glare to the driver directly or indirectly by illuminating the vehicle or reflecting off mirrors or other surfaces.

In most cases roof mounted lights will not be ably to comply with all these requirements. Refer VSI 29 field of view requirements."

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrpdf/rd ... I%2029.pdf

Thats the address for VSI 29.
Good luck.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:37 pm
by pongo
LOL Saying that i have run this setup for years on my shopping trolley and never had an issue YET

Image

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:41 pm
by Ruffy
I've got four on my bar on four on my roof. Never had a problem. I've always found if your not hooning or doing what you shouldn't you don't seem to get picked on.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:08 pm
by GQ again
can you mount your spotties above your bull bar i thought that was illegal or is it only if they ar eover a 1m high

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:18 pm
by -Scott-
Ruffy wrote:I've always found if your not hooning or doing what you shouldn't you don't seem to get picked on.
I think you may be on to something there! Anybody who wants to argue with a police officer/transport inspector is a glutton for punishment. You won't win.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:24 pm
by RockyF75
GQ again wrote:can you mount your spotties above your bull bar i thought that was illegal or is it only if they ar eover a 1m high
I've been told by a 4x4 place (probly not most reliable source of info i know) that their ok aslong as they dont protrude out past the furthermost point of the bullbar. Theres also sumthing about blocking vision but they have to be pretty damn big to block your vision, I dont even notice my litte ones.

Last time i got pulled up for breath testing the cop had a look at the front of the bullbar, and they didn't mention anything, I assumed she was checking that they didnt protrude :? ....(although they are only about 2mm from the end off the bullbar :lol: )

I too would think there are bigger and better fish for the cops to fry thatn people with too many lights, but someone will always be unlucky... whats the fine for illegal lights neways?

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:29 pm
by Ruffy
If you lights interfere with your forward vision at a point further than 11 metres on the road from your seating position then yes they're illegal in victoria.

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:09 am
by bogged
pongo wrote:LOL Saying that i have run this setup for years on my shopping trolley and never had an issue YET

Image
Why would you need that many lights ? a pair of good quality lights would be much smarter, unless your after wank value...

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:22 am
by pongo
Thats what i had lying round the place. Why spend $$ on lightforce only to have sum1 pinch em anyway when i have these sitting round. I usually only use 4 at a time as the middle small pair are pointing down a fair bit for night 4wding. The 2 ipf spots, shoot a bit high and straight down the rd whilst the 2 outers run out wide. Perfect for spotting roos when we used to live down a roo infested dirt rd. A lot less driver eye strain on long trips too. I have never seen lightforce in the dark so i cant judge my setup againt them

Cheers

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 4:56 pm
by dromana7411
had a mate with a bNs ute... had lights all over it. got done 3 weeks ago and got taken off the road... one of the things was because of a single fog light (8") on top of the bull bar in the middle..

so im pretty sure on top is illegal as it blocks vision.

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 2:13 am
by bogged
Ruffy wrote:If you lights interfere with your forward vision at a point further than 11 metres on the road from your seating position then yes they're illegal in victoria.
whats the Ariel rule 35mm isnt it? if its more than 35mm round, its also illegal, somethign like that

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 11:07 am
by -Scott-
dromana7411 wrote:had a mate with a bNs ute... had lights all over it. got done 3 weeks ago and got taken off the road... one of the things was because of a single fog light (8") on top of the bull bar in the middle..
so im pretty sure on top is illegal as it blocks vision.
"Fog lights" are supposed to be mounted low, to shine UNDER the fog. They also have very wide beams with a sharp horizontal cut-off, to minimise light being scattered back to the driver. "Fog lights" are normally wired to be on at the same time as low beam, where spot/driving lights are only supposed to be on with high beams.

If somebody told me a light on top of a bull bar was a "fog light" I'd issue them a ticket on principle - for being stupid. :lol:

The law did require (don't know about now) that all lights be symmetrical about the centreline of the vehicle, and no closer than 600mm centre to centre. I think the 600mm might have been relaxed a little.

Another 2c...

Scott

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:19 pm
by ofr57
some of those fog lights are bright as ... a bombador driving the other way got me last week and they would be brighter than some spotties i think

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 2:28 pm
by Chucky
bogged wrote:
Ruffy wrote:If you lights interfere with your forward vision at a point further than 11 metres on the road from your seating position then yes they're illegal in victoria.
whats the Ariel rule 35mm isnt it? if its more than 35mm round, its also illegal, somethign like that
I've been thinking abit about this lately and couldn't the ariel moving backwards and forwards in the wind give a false speed to cops speed laser?


sorry about the hijack, :oops: