Why do 4x4s have their rear light clusters in the bumper?
Discussion
I've been meaning to post this for ages - it's something that has bemused me for a while.
On almost every 4x4 you see - that is, apart from things like X5s and Q7s - they feature rear light clusters sort of halfway up, where you would expect them to be on a car. But when the lights come on, they almost all use the set down in the bumper - which at first glance you'd expect to be "secondary" lights like fogs, reverse, etc.
Why is it that the "normal" set, the set that's styled to fit in with the bodywork etc, is rarely used; and instead most of the work is done by an ugly little oblong thing set into the rear bumper? My guess would be something to do with the military and the general origins of the off-roader - but that's just a guess...
Does anybody know?
On almost every 4x4 you see - that is, apart from things like X5s and Q7s - they feature rear light clusters sort of halfway up, where you would expect them to be on a car. But when the lights come on, they almost all use the set down in the bumper - which at first glance you'd expect to be "secondary" lights like fogs, reverse, etc.
Why is it that the "normal" set, the set that's styled to fit in with the bodywork etc, is rarely used; and instead most of the work is done by an ugly little oblong thing set into the rear bumper? My guess would be something to do with the military and the general origins of the off-roader - but that's just a guess...
Does anybody know?
GKP, what a w
ker you are, you are being deliberately obtuse searching out those images, you know exactly what the OP is talking about.
OP - I've always wondered it as well. I think for some reason it's a UK thing. My father used to have a Trooper in Saudi and the rear clusters were in the bodywork high up as normal, however over here those areas are blanked and the lights are, as you say, in the bumper. God knows why!
ker you are, you are being deliberately obtuse searching out those images, you know exactly what the OP is talking about. OP - I've always wondered it as well. I think for some reason it's a UK thing. My father used to have a Trooper in Saudi and the rear clusters were in the bodywork high up as normal, however over here those areas are blanked and the lights are, as you say, in the bumper. God knows why!
Charming, just charming. Do you speak to your mother like that?
The answer about the lights is fairly simple and all to do with Type Approval and Homologation of the cars. There is a set distance from various hard points on the cars that the lights have to be measured from. Rocket science it ain't.
The answer about the lights is fairly simple and all to do with Type Approval and Homologation of the cars. There is a set distance from various hard points on the cars that the lights have to be measured from. Rocket science it ain't.
GKP said:
The answer about the lights is fairly simple and all to do with Type Approval and Homologation of the cars. There is a set distance from various hard points on the cars that the lights have to be measured from. Rocket science it ain't.
Why didn't you say that in the first place then? Even below the pics and sarcastic comment?At least we got there in the end.
Norbury90 said:
GKP said:
The answer about the lights is fairly simple and all to do with Type Approval and Homologation of the cars. There is a set distance from various hard points on the cars that the lights have to be measured from. Rocket science it ain't.
Why didn't you say that in the first place then? Even below the pics and sarcastic comment?
There is a regulation that states that both the brake lights and hazard warning lights are visible when the tailgate is open - This generally only affects vehicles with side opening tailgates..
The MkI discovery had lights (From a Meastro van) on the rear quarter panels only - On the MKII Discovery, the brake lights and indicators were moved to the rear bumper, meaning they were not obscured by the tailgate when it was open.
Go and have a look at the Vauxhall Insignia Touring - The rear lights are all mounted on the tailgate, so with the tailgate open, no lights are visible - Inside the boot appeture, it has a second set of rear lamps for the brake lights and indicators, which only operate if the tailgate is open
Sorry the image isn't great, but it was the only one I could find showing the tailgate open
The MkI discovery had lights (From a Meastro van) on the rear quarter panels only - On the MKII Discovery, the brake lights and indicators were moved to the rear bumper, meaning they were not obscured by the tailgate when it was open.
Go and have a look at the Vauxhall Insignia Touring - The rear lights are all mounted on the tailgate, so with the tailgate open, no lights are visible - Inside the boot appeture, it has a second set of rear lamps for the brake lights and indicators, which only operate if the tailgate is open
Sorry the image isn't great, but it was the only one I could find showing the tailgate open
my nissan patrol has them, I was always told it's because the doors open sideways and the spare wheell would be blocking the lights.All the cars posted/named, have no spare wheel on the back and (this is related btw) a door hatched to the roof.
The defender is an exception for two reasons:
1) The lights could be seen under the wheel
2) the door is centered and doesn't swing open far enough to block the lights.
GKP said:
Jeeze, what's happened between 6:30 and now? Why has PH turned into an abusive version of Mumsnet since the last time I logged on? Is banter, sarcasm and mickey taking now being frowned upon? Would it help if threw a can of Red Bull?
Lighten up guys - it's only the internet.
LMAO Lighten up guys - it's only the internet.
however from what I have read redbull throwing is a sure sign that fistycuffs will follow...
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