New Tailights

Hi Bill,

I am not sure what the actual ADRs would require. Transport department would probably be able to tell you. The original high lights are apparenetly not visible from the right angles due to the spare wheel so they had to put the others into the bumper. Why they also had to remove the extra set I have no idea, probably typical beauracratic bull. You can modify the existing tail lights to have a bulb in them without needing to buy new lights. I know there were a few posts about it on the Pajero forum down in Vic. Everything is there except the bulb and some wiring I think.

Tim.

Bill,

Not exactly an answer to your question but.......if you have a NM or NP then you can modify the existing clusters and put in globes for the brakes and indicators. Have a look at the Pajero Club site ( www.pajeroclub.com.au ) in the Forums (search for lights or similar - a few threads with detailed instructions). A lot cheaper than buying new clusters.

I did read somewhere that the ADRs dictate that both tailights must be visible and in the case of the Paj, the spare tyre hides one from certain angles hence the bumper lights are used. Cost saving means that globe holders are not fitted to the top clusters. I stand to be corected on this though!

Adrian

The ADR's also specify things like lens colour from memory. A lot of the look good lights have clear lenses and coloured reflectors or globes. The young kids and rice burner drivers reckon they look good. Many of them are a pain in the neck in daylight cos if you are behind them as some angles they aren't that obvious if they are on or not.

Not very helpfull if you are coming up behind them on a code 1, and they can't hear you cos the doof doof is that loud too.

Dave

Same thing with the GQ Patrols.... I have the extra lights fitted, have never given any thought as to how legal it is though. It was economics for us, one of the original reflectors got broken and the genuine replacement was around $160 for the unit. The aftermarket light assemblies were $60 for the pair. I retained the lower lights and the rear lights are heaps more visible now.

Hi Bill13,

I was told the following when I added globes to the blank lights at the rear of my Patrol (paraphrasing)

"The reason the lights are fitted to the rear bumperbar of the 4x4 cars is to ensure that both lights (on either side) are visible from the rear at various angles.

This was need as the rear mounted spare tyre impedes vision of the tail lights.

The ADR has a minimum specification on number of rear lights, but not a maximum, therefore you can add globes to the blank tail lights as long as you always keep the bumper bar lights active.

You must not disconnect the tail lights to the bumper bar"

This is what I was told, have had the lights connected for 2 years and no problems.

Hope this helps

TonyG

My model has the fog and indicators up high.
Lower lights in ther bumper I am told is to comply with the ADRs, Austrailian Design Rules for vehicles.
Spare tyre on the back means the upper lights can not be seen for the full 180 degrees across the back.
There also may be a height limit.
If NM or NP, you can hook up the extra lights by inserting a bulb, but your lower lights are still the main complying lights.

I have put a relay between the lower brake lights and the upper fog lights so that thet fog lights come on with the brakes lights (5 brake lights on the back now), but brake lights not activiated by the fog lights.

But not sure if all lights need to comply with the ADRs, or only the approved ones. ADRs alos cover wattage, colour (red brake at rear etc), visibility etc.

The ADR's have a section called "Geometric Visability" and it is a requirement that tail, stop and rear indicator lamps must be able to be seen from an angle of 45 degrees inwards and 80 degrees outwards. That is why they disconnect or fit dummy lenses to the original lamp assemblies on vehicles fitted with a tailgate mounted spare wheel and fit smaller harder to see lamps lower down in the bumper bar where all the dirt is. So if the person following can't see them because they are too small they sure as hell won't see them when they are covered in mud and dust:-) Since the factory fitted bumper lamps comply with the ADR's I can't see any reason why a cop would have a problem with what you are doing since what you propose is "in addition" to the minimum required under the ADR's and you could easily demonstrate that you have done it to improve safety. But then I am not a cop. They would have to be pretty desperate to meet their quota to ping you for that and quite honestly I doubt you would find a cop well nenough versed in the intracacies? of the ADR's to even notice what you have done. Just be careful with the quality of after market lamps as there have been cases of some melting and catching fire on GU Nissans. When I fitted mine to my GU4 I obtained the genuine ones that are fitted on Patrols that go to countries not subject to our rules. I would imagine most makes that market their 4WD's globally would be able to supply the same. Sounds like yours may have provision for globe holders, etc but the GU4 Patrol lamps are just dummy plastic in-fill lamp look-alikes basically to fill up the holes at the rear corners.