1998 T2 - Bull Bars as Nissan Approved Option?

[ClanWolf]

Been looking into the minefield that is fitted/fitting bull bars on our wagons. (The joys of Directive 2005/66/EC, Regulation 78/2009/EC and Standard Note SN/BT/1216 for those needing a cure for insomnia tonight).

So, in the absence of approved (EU Pedestrian Protection Guard) FPS (frontal protection systems) for the T2, my next question is were A-bars available as an OEM fitment?

Rather keen to not invalidate my insurance.

 

[MudLifeCrisis]

I remember reading somewhere,although I can't find it , that as long as the bar was manufactured before the directive came in it is ok to fit. The law was not retrospective.

Brian

 

[makeitfit]

Yes they were OEM fitted

 

[lacroupade]

Yes they were OEM fitted

But wasn't the OEM one some kind of plastic gubbins as opposed to the motorway crash barrier type thing...?

 

[ClanWolf]

I have a query in with the only EU approved A-bar manufacturers I can find with a UK distributor. That would be the ones that sell A-bars that look like A-bars, not clip-on bakelite bump stops.

 

[lacroupade]

You don't want to be going offroad with them though.....

 

[ClanWolf]

Heh. Antec kit is pretty good.

But you are quite right. Anything that only looks like two and a half metres of mandrel bent 60mm steel tube will be utterly useless when expected to offset an impact that the real frame would handle.

But you miss the point.

We are evil because we drive cars. We are damned because we drive 4x4s, which everyone knows are Satan's delivery vehicle. The figures used by the government indicate that vehicles equipped with bull bars caused an additional 3 deaths and 40 critical injuries in 1996. Which is quoted as a definate underestimate. (!)

It is easier to shoot at a target you can hit (4x4 manufacturers) than one that can put you out of a job (educating the voting public to LOOK for traffic before they enter a road... and to make sure that AFTER they look the stupid lemmings don't carry on anyway and rely on the overly legislated car design and easily prosecutable driver to either miss them or take all the consequences and foot the bill).

... climbs down off soapbox. Rant over. G'night.

 

[lacroupade]

Heh. Antec kit is pretty good.

But you are quite right. Anything that only looks like two and a half metres of mandrel bent 60mm steel tube will be utterly useless when expected to offset an impact that the real frame would handle.

But you miss the point.

We are evil because we drive cars. We are damned because we drive 4x4s, which everyone knows are Satan's delivery vehicle. The figures used by the government indicate that vehicles equipped with bull bars caused an additional 3 deaths and 40 critical injuries in 1996. Which is quoted as a definate underestimate. (!)

It is easier to shoot at a target you can hit (4x4 manufacturers) than one that can put you out of a job (educating the voting public to LOOK for traffic before they enter a road... and to make sure that AFTER they look the stupid lemmings don't carry on anyway and rely on the overly legislated car design and easily prosecutable driver to either miss them or take all the consequences and foot the bill).

... climbs down off soapbox. Rant over. G'night.

oh wasn't so much that as the negative effect it has on approach angle. But I'm with you! :thumbs

 

[danielj]

Have a NCT test (S. of Ireland) coming up. In light of the above discussion have just called the Vehicle Standards Office to find out if my wrap around bull bars will fail me in the test. They are checking and getting back to me if there has been any recent changes to the vehicle standards relating to bull bars introduced in this country in the last two years. Will let you know when I get some news.

 

[MudLifeCrisis]

As far as Im aware OEM means something that is produced by a company who business is soley or partly to produce that product. So non OEM is something knocked up in your backyard.

Therefore if the bullbar was made by a bullbar company before the law came in then it ok to fit based on the fact that if it was already fitted you didn't have to take it off.

 

[lacroupade]

As far as Im aware OEM means something that is produced by a company who business is soley or partly to produce that product. So non OEM is something knocked up in your backyard.

Therefore if the bullbar was made by a bullbar company before the law came in then it ok to fit based on the fact that if it was already fitted you didn't have to take it off.

Not quite that simple Tav - OEM normally means it was fitted by the manufacturer, i.e. its a Nissan-designed, sourced, approved and fitted product when the vehicle came out of the factory.

Non-OEM is simply aftermarket, so say a Halfords version of the same thing. Home-made is what it says on the tin.

I think the regs allow for existing fitted bullbars to stay, or for currently-approved (probably plastic) ones to be fitted, or for the original OEM version to be retro-fitted (to a vehicle that would have been capable of having it spec'd) if you can get hold of one.

Thats why I made the point that I think, in anticipation of these regs, I believe Nissan fitted a plastic a-bar of some kind towards the end as an extra, not a metal one - I've seen them on ebay very occasionally.....and someone once on here had one I think....

 

[MudLifeCrisis]

"Tav" does that make me nearly an honorary Welshman ;O)

 

[BigBlack]

This is the Abar they fitted to the later models... never see them on 'flee-bay' though, and cant find anyone that makes them either!!!! :nenau

 

[MudLifeCrisis]

An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a purchasing company and retailed under the purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product.


So basically refers to a branded bullbar. Doesn't have to be Nissan.


Brian;O)

 

[millie2]

If it was made before the rule change IE old stock it is ok to fit (as long as the vehicle had it fitted before the said date) that is what i was told by a reputable 4x4 dealer in north yorks.




PS
IM STILL LOOKING FOR 1 for a 97 tdi 4 light t2.

 

[MudLifeCrisis]

If it was made before the rule change IE old stock it is ok to fit (as long as the vehicle had it fitted before the said date) that is what i was told by a reputable 4x4 dealer in north yorks

Which is what I read on a suppliers website somewhere.

 

[lacroupade]

"Tav" does that make me nearly an honorary Welshman ;O)

Sorry, I made you the bastard son of Mav and Taj :doh

That is indeed the OEM jobbie - retailed at about £200 if I recall from the brochure.....

 

[MudLifeCrisis]

Sorry, I made you the bastard son of Mav and Taj :doh

No worrys ,my parents ,Mavis and Tajinda forgive you ;O)

 

[lacroupade]

No worrys ,my parents ,Mavis and Tajinda forgive you ;O)

PMSL :lol:lol:thumbs