I run a 1966 Landrover with 245000 miles on the clock and would like to be able to see more miles but I have a problem in the dark. At night other drivers comin towards me think the I am a tractor and am moving at about 20mph - this is about 30- 40 mph slower than I am travelling - they then overtake directly at me !!. The reason is because the lights are in the middle with the parking lamps at the edge. What is the law regarding extra \"running lamps\" ? I don\'t want to become one of those fools who illegally run with fog lamps in good weather but I don\'t want a head on accident.
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I presume Bob that your dipped/main headlamps are contained either side of the front grille in the recess at the front of the vehicle i.e. like the Series 1, IIA.
The Road Vehicles Lighting Regs, 1989 allows optional lamps to be fitted in pairs so that you could duplicate into the front wing where the side lights are like the series lll, Defender etc.
Probably better by doing so to remove the originals. (1) Bags of spares around to do this at minimal cost.
((1)Subject to vetting by MM)
DVD
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You could do as DVD suggests. I've seen a few like that around, but these old L/Rs are becoming rarer and it seems a pity to spoil it. It is legal to use fog lights in conditions of poor visibility (ie at night)provided the dipped beam headlamps are also on. If you fit fog lights to the outer edges of the bumper, and angle them low, your problem will be solved and you won't blind other people.
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Isn't the point about the fog lamp rule that it applies to extra lights mounted below a certain level? You can double upon headlamps, as many cars did from new.
I used to see "headlight in the wings" conversion kits for LRs, but I agree, I wouldn't spoil an original one.
Could you just fit brighter bulbs in the front sidelamps? Those hated Volvo running lamps use 10w instead of a normal 5w in straight sidelights.
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Bob,
I'm amazed you have so many near misses for the reasons you summise. The likely speed of a tractor and S.II Land Rover around here are very close.
My S.II has S.III wings (and a S.III bulkhead as a matter of interest). OK so it's not 100% original but it is basically 40yrs old and still on the road.
If you are that concerned why not get a set of S.III wings, swap them over and keep the old wings in the shed. You can keep the old lights in the center panel and either leave them off or have all four*.
* Subject to DVD cons & use advice!
M.M
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"It is legal to use fog lights in conditions of poor visibility (ie at night)provided the dipped beam headlamps are also on."
Not wanting to start yet another debate on fog lights, but I thought that "poor visibility" was less than 100m in falling snow or fog. I didn't think that night falls into that bracket? No doubt DVD will tell us the law :-)
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"It is legal to use fog lights in conditions of poor visibility (ie at night)provided the dipped beam headlamps are also on." Not wanting to start yet another debate on fog lights, but I thought that "poor visibility" was less than 100m in falling snow or fog. I didn't think that night falls into that bracket? No doubt DVD will tell us the law :-)
This is only if the lights are mounted below a certain height (used to be 24 inches). Not a problem with a Landrover.
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I stand corrected - You live and learn! :-)
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Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll go down the "change the position of the headlamps" route - we've lots of good breakers around my way andI'm not certain about the high mounted fog lamps approach.
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Here in Nelson B.C Canada, Our M.V. regs allow fog lamps alone as long as the tail lamps and marker lamps are lit as well
And we can use the fog lamps with low beams but we must shut off the fog lamps when the weather clears.
Auxillary driving lamps are allowed with the high beam operations,
Please visit the link below to view a complaint and resolution on a 2004 Ford Freestar mini van
www.rafeonline.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3035
Cheers BJ
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Bob, I have the same problem with my Series 2a (1965).
I have mounted auxillary driving lamps on the military bumper - almost in the position that the later models headlights would be.
Problem I have is that when I have my dipped beam and sidelamps on, the other road users think I am driving with centre mounted spot lamps!
My lights have been adjusted to point to the lowest possible setting on the MOT beam setter.
I have fitted new sidelamps in the wings, and they are bright. They are the white plastic backed type (ie non rust!). The 5watt bulbs seem to illuminate the road on their own.
Visit the LR Entusiast forum for more info...
www.lrenthusiastforum.com/ubbthreads/showthreaded....=
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