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BigMike

Member Since: 13 Jul 2010
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2253

Mal the legality side has been covered many times (as you would have seen if you had used the search function

)

As for protecting pedestrians, I doubt this is why landrover owners buy them, and as I said to red dot a while ago, at any kind of speed, an impact with a pedestrian is going to cause them serious damage, soft A bar or not.

They look fine on Discos, but on defenders look wronger than a wrong thing in wrongsville (in my opinion)

8th Feb 2011 2:07pm

Lorryman100

Member Since: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Here
Posts: 2686

K9F wrote:

Good point well presented but have you tried using the search facility whilst travelling on the Wyle by pass at over 60mph on a skateboard in heavy traffic? Have binned the unicycle and am trying an alternative means of vehicular transportation!

Any chance you can send me an ounce of whatever it is you are on as the dealers up here obviously get the weak stuff

8th Feb 2011 2:14pm

K9F

Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

That's what makes them so unique! Having been around for so long there are a myriad of extras that will appeal to customers! However, not every accessory will appeal to all as is evident! I personally like the look of any A Bar!

If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!

8th Feb 2011 2:14pm

18stone

Member Since: 16 Dec 2010
Location: Mid Essex
Posts: 137

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Zermatt Silver

If LR did a marshmallow one I'd have it.

They are PERFECT for the style of the front of a Defender- as testified by their fitment to the majority of Defenders I've seen over the years. If nothing else, they stop scratching the front end on the supermarket trolleys... D300 HSE 110

8th Feb 2011 2:23pm

szracer

Member Since: 10 Oct 2010
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 356

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

In my case I wanted somewhere to mount the spots, in a slightly less fragile position than on the bumper, don't have a roof rack, and so the A- bar was the easiest (And most reversible solution).

Plus, I happen to like the looks of the soft A bar - To me looks much better than having the metal equivalent of the Forth Bridge bolted to the front of your Defender...plus there's not too many 'roos in the 'wolds..!

BigMike wrote:
Mal the legality side has been covered many times (as you would have seen if you had used the search function )

As for protecting pedestrians, I doubt this is why landrover owners buy them, and as I said to red dot a while ago, at any kind of speed, an impact with a pedestrian is going to cause them serious damage, soft A bar or not.

They look fine on Discos, but on defenders look wronger than a wrong thing in wrongsville (in my opinion)

2010 110 XS USW (the slow one)
1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ (the fast one)
2005 Ducati ST3
1954 Sunbeam S8

8th Feb 2011 2:37pm

SJM

Member Since: 09 Dec 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 237

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

Thanks all - well I've just had the call from the dealer and he's confirmed it's a Storn Grey for March 1st, so that's made my day

I've opted to go for the cargo barrier - clearly a pig of a job, and as has been said here, they can have the fun

Also taking the inspection lamp over the rear door, and asked them to fit on drivers side so it doesn't clash with a ladder if I add a Hannibal/ Patriot rack later on. Will also have the black chequer plate on top of the wings (so I can stand my cup of tea/ bottle of beer while washing/ admiring the car

)

Still to decide on A-bar, but have a few days to think about it. Swaying towards it though

Now to find a number plate. LR11 MUD has already gone, but there are a few other suitable ones!

To say I'm looking forward to collecting it is an understatement!!! Thanks for everyone's comments here and on previous threads I've placed. It's all YOUR fault that I am part-ex'ing my 90XS (which I swore I'd never sell!) to try a 110 now...

Simon
'11 Defender 110XS Utility SW
'07 Discovery 3 HSE
'58 Porsche 356A (not good off road)
'59 Lambretta (not good on or off road!)

8th Feb 2011 2:41pm

TJ101

Member Since: 30 May 2007
Location: Taunton Somerset
Posts: 3750

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

My new one is due next week as well, Grey 110 XS SW, been waiting since Nov,,

I am fitting all the bits myself, Dog guard. (i took it out, so will fit back in !! but yes , a pain) Black wing tops, Soft A bar, with winch bumper and HID lamps, MSS box, Cubby and window guards, Mantec RAI, Patriot rack, axle and fuel cooler guards etc,etc, plus a plate LR110 XS

California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1

Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK

9th Feb 2011 1:08am

JSG

Member Since: 12 Jul 2007
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2412

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

Bah - I'm jealous now, two of you getting new 110s soon

I've ordered mine this week - now to hope the bonus payment comes through and sell the OH's 110 TR

John

http://www.hampshire4x4response.co.uk

2011 Tdci 110 CSW XS

9th Feb 2011 11:28am

alantd

Member Since: 14 Dec 2008
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 1513

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green

Personally I like the look of the A-bar.

I originally bought it because I wanted to be able to 'nudge' cars out of the way if they'd been abandoned in the snow or push them up a hill if they were stuck and blocking the road but I don't think it would work too well at either of those.

To be honest, the brackets aren't up to much and would fold (pushing the lights back into your grille) if under anything more than the gentlest of forces - maybe that's why it's a "soft" A bar

The plastic certainly isn't very soft.

For me, then, it's mostly about looks and in case the odd gate swings back at me. Also a good mount for front spots if you want them (not wired mine up yet

).

Straightforward fit if you don't have any other mods (I was trying to fit mine around a steering guard that competes for the same bolts).

The cargo guard (which is a genius piece of kit IMHO and absolutely necessary if you are carrying any loose items in the back) is a pain to fit - it took my mate and I 3 hours in the pouring rain and we had to modify 4 of the brackets. Very satisfying when it's done, though.

if you're a practical chap and enjoy getting stuck in then do it yourself. If you can't face the hassle and it'll mean you 'dont get round to it for a year' then get LR to do it. Either way, once it's done, I would replace the ridiculously soft allen-key-headed bolts on the bottom brackets (you'll see what i mean when you get it) with stainless hex-headed ones. When you remove the guard from time to time, with the amount of force they're under, you'll round them off and end up having to drill them out. GET RID OF THEM.

One that started out as a 2.4 TDCi 110 XS
+ New Defender 110 First Edition

9th Feb 2011 11:29am

TJ101

Member Since: 30 May 2007
Location: Taunton Somerset
Posts: 3750

JSG wrote:

I've ordered mine this week - now to hope the bonus payment comes through and sell the OH's 110 TR

John

Can you PM me the details of the TR

California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1

Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK

9th Feb 2011 11:31am

BigMike

Member Since: 13 Jul 2010
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2253

18stone wrote:
If LR did a marshmallow one I'd have it.

They are PERFECT for the style of the front of a Defender- as testified by their fitment to the majority of Defenders I've seen over the years. If nothing else, they stop scratching the front end on the supermarket trolleys...

The majority of defenders? I've only ever seen a handful. maybe its a north / south thing

9th Feb 2011 11:34am

JSG

Member Since: 12 Jul 2007
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2412

TJ101 wrote:
Can you PM me the details of the TR

PM sent Tim

John

http://www.hampshire4x4response.co.uk

2011 Tdci 110 CSW XS

9th Feb 2011 11:46am

KarlB

Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Canberra
Posts: 91

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Rimini Red

You can get metal replacements for the A-bar brackets from Mantec:

Would allow you to mount an aerial (UHF) and better support suspended driving lights.

Cheers
KarlB

9th Feb 2011 12:04pm

SJM

Member Since: 09 Dec 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 237

TJ101 wrote:
My new one is due next week as well, Grey 110 XS SW, been waiting since Nov,,

I am fitting all the bits myself, Dog guard. (i took it out, so will fit back in !! but yes , a pain) Black wing tops, Soft A bar, with winch bumper and HID lamps, MSS box, Cubby and window guards, Mantec RAI, Patriot rack, axle and fuel cooler guards etc,etc, plus a plate LR110 XS

Sounds like a good list of extras! Good choice of plate too. I've just got myself "LR11 FUN" for mine - I've got "LR09 FUN" at the moment, so kinda nice to keep the theme going.

I'm also swapping the Devon4x4 steering guard over from my 90 to the 110 - but seen another post here saying that clashes with fitting the A-bar - there are ways round this I guess?

Simon
'11 Defender 110XS Utility SW
'07 Discovery 3 HSE
'58 Porsche 356A (not good off road)
'59 Lambretta (not good on or off road!)

9th Feb 2011 2:15pm

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