Legal Off Road Modifications

Legal Off Road Modifications

Author
Discussion

fareaster

Original Poster:

234 posts

178 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
I´ve been reasearching just what modifications can be made to a vehicle to enhance it´s capability off road given recent eu directives.
I understand that bull bars are, with good reason, are now illegal but what about recovery shackles mounted on the front and rear bumpers?
Other questions include lights, winches, larger tyres, lifts etc.
I live in Spain but given the eu I would imagine the situation is similar to the UK in this regard.
Does anyone know of a website that discusses this?

schmalex

13,616 posts

205 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
To be honest, just buy some decent tyres!! Insa Turbo make some pretty aggressive tread patterns that would easily snap a halfshaft if not allowed to spin up in sticky mud. Maybe pair them with a 2 - 3" lift and some good shocks and you'll be pretty unstoppable.

Lights / recovery shackles etc all pass the MOT here (my roof lights can be independently switched off, which may make a difference.

However, it all really comes down to tyres and how you drive off road.

fareaster

Original Poster:

234 posts

178 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
I´ve already got some Insa Turbo´s on my jeep, they make them just down the road from me! My question was prompted by my local 4X4 guy telling me I couldn´t fit towing shackles which ease recovery in off road situations.

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
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Don't keep your recovery shackles outside your vehicle as they can work loose and fall off. Unless you just want them for 'show'

mikeh501

709 posts

180 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
quotequote all
a lot depends on how old your vehicle is too.

Bull bars - legal before 07 i believe; and if your "bull bar" has a winch attached its actually a winch mount rather than bull bar which completely legal.

Shackles - dont believe their are laws about this. possibly related to above as they go together. Also you mention "towing shackles". there are rules about towing and the tow point must be approved after 1998. this however isnt about off road recovery where you can do as you wish; but you wouldn't use a recovery shackle as a tow point (or vice versa - just as bad)

lights - there are rules about how they are wired so you dont inadvertently blind people when you knock your main beam off it must also knock off the extra lights. i think there are rules around placement too.

tyres/lifts - legal over here. need to tell your insurance etc.

normalbloke

7,402 posts

218 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
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I had a pedestrian friendly bull bar made for my Unimog.....

Clivey

5,108 posts

203 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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normalbloke said:
I had a pedestrian friendly bull bar made for my Unimog.....
hehe

What's the "unfriendly" alternative, this?



It looks awesome though. thumbup What do you use it for?

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
quotequote all
Is that roller in the middle to get hedgehogs?


Clivey

5,108 posts

203 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
quotequote all
Ayahuasca said:
Is that roller in the middle to get hedgehogs?
Yes; these ones:



(Yes; I know that's an anti-personnel mine)biggrin

normalbloke

7,402 posts

218 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
Clivey said:
hehe

What's the "unfriendly" alternative, this?



It looks awesome though. thumbup What do you use it for?
Similar....It was great fun, used solely as a toy.

Clivey

5,108 posts

203 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
normalbloke said:
Similar....It was great fun, used solely as a toy.
Nice. Fuel consumption aside, they make great overland vehicles. - I'd love to go exploring in one. driving

Martin4x4

6,506 posts

131 months

Thursday 8th May 2014
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normalbloke said:
Similar....It was great fun, used solely as a toy.
I think the snow plough is over kill wink