Driving Light Brackets

Post by **petefarrell360** » 24 Jan 2006 03:33 am

I once had a cunning plan lined up for mounting my driving lights, but, it never happened, and it would have been pretty difficult too. So, Hugh, being the excellent chap he is, found a rare part in his local scrap yard, but as he now doesn't own a 300, he got in touch with Mick (Redline), as he mounted some spot lights above the bumper, infront of the grille on some custom mounts, but, found that there was a lot of vibration with bumps etc. These brackets mount onto the metal frame of the bumper, then curl over the plastic part, to allow lights to be mounted infront of the grille. After having a Hella driving lights grille, I NEED driving lights again, but I wasn't 100 % happy with the look.

So, basically, cutting to the chase, I've borrowed the mounting brackets from Mick, with the intention of getting some copies made. I am going to have them modified slightly, as I believe they were originally intended for the big square lights Volvo sold, so have a bolt horizontally to mount the lights with adjustment. The lights I have already have a mounting bracket system, which would be best with a level platform with one hole vertically to bolt through. I think the latter option would allow for a larger variety of lights to be fitted, as you can always adapt from the base, where as it would be harder to work the other way from the mount as they are now. Also, this would allow larger lights to be fitted and not to interfere with the bonnet when it is opened, as they should be lower.

They are relatively simple, but in order for them to work they need to be qutie thick metal, which I don't have the equipment to cut, machine and bend. As it is a short and rigid bracket that will be fixed to the solid bumper frame, they should not vibrate. So, anyone who is interested, let me know, as I might be visiting the engineers tomorrow to see how much they think they'll cost, and the larger the batch, we should get them a bit cheaper.

Sorry for the hooooge post.

Pete

Post by **bennett** » 24 Jan 2006 08:54 am

im interested can you send me a pic of the bracket as i want to mount lights up and down on the front so i have 4 spot lamps.

Post by **redline** » 24 Jan 2006 09:10 am

they say imitation is the highest form of flattery

Post by **redline** » 24 Jan 2006 09:17 am

the bottom ones are fitted using holes already in the bumper iron, iirc I didnt even have to remove the bumper . you do however have to cut off the front towing eye with an angle grinder

cant think where the inspiration came from

Website · Post by **antiekeradio** » 24 Jan 2006 12:36 pm

the square lights are supposed to be supported by a small bracket from the top of the lamp to the top of the grille.

much easier to do, if you ask me

Post by **petefarrell360** » 25 Jan 2006 03:02 am

Ah, right, well, I'm now somewhat confused as to the different mounting options. I don't know if these were Volvo made or not, but personally, I think they might well be. I am only assuming they held the square lights. But from the pictures I've seen, the square lights I'm thinking of appeared to have mounts at the base.

The last ones match your description for the fixing points, to the top of the grille etc, but don't look like genuine Volvo lights, though I'm probably wrong! One the picture with the green 300 with caravan, I can just make out a support leg going to the base of the grille on the left hand light, possibly! There probably are easier methods, but these brackets seem so rigid and quite well hidden beneath the light and require no cutting or drilling, so if you remove them, there aren't any holes or marks. It might be a little bit of a PITA to remove the bumper to fit them, but it's not difficult, and only needs doing once!

Bennett, I'll take some pics asap, and might do a quick sketch of my intended modification.

Pete

Fool, forgot to put the pic in!

Post by **redline** » 25 Jan 2006 08:35 am

wouldnt those light stays catch the front edge of the bonnet when you open it ?

Website · Post by **antiekeradio** » 25 Jan 2006 09:42 am

I guess you're right Pete! looks like the original fixings for the square lamps were only at the bottom.

the brackets I was refering to were mounted as an extra then...
but obviously not standard.

(didn't mean to say the only support was at the top)

Post by **petefarrell360** » 25 Jan 2006 07:00 pm

The brackets you mean do just appear in the photo of the green 300 with caravan I think. I have a larger version of the pic somewhere where I zoomed in to see it. It was probably to stop the huge things wobbling about over bumps! That's why I think these rigid brackets should be so good. I was sceptical about how well the Hella grille would work, as I thought it might rattle about a bit, but it's spread over the four mounting points, so seemed quite well fixed and the lights didn't jump about or flicker on bumps. I think Mick's right, those brackets might just get caught on the bonnet.
Pete

Website · Post by **antiekeradio** » 25 Jan 2006 07:18 pm

A friend of mine mounted some driving lights with not-so-sturdy mountings, those did tilt a bit at bumps. really annoying ...

Post by **petefarrell360** » 25 Jan 2006 07:28 pm

Yeah, flickering lights down to flimsy or flexible brackets is very very annoying, I've seen it on a mini, made to look like a cooper, with the four spots on the front on a bar, soooo annoying. So hopefully these brackets will prevent that happening, should have some pictures tomorrow.
Pete

Post by **Chris_C** » 25 Jan 2006 08:02 pm

Pete, how are you thinking of doing it mate? Any thing that is only fixed at one point will be prone to wobble, even if it's at the bolt joint between the bracket and lamp.

Post by **SteveP** » 25 Jan 2006 08:55 pm

Fixing on one point isn't the strongest method, agreed. However, under normal circumstances (ie. road use, not rallying) I'd assume the original Volvo spot light mounts would be sufficient.

Post by **Chris_C** » 26 Jan 2006 02:25 am

But rallying is when you need the spots the mostest! What if you suddenly go for a rally, after years of not planning too...you don't want things to go floppy at the crucial moment.

Post by MJ » 26 Jan 2006 02:28 am

So I've heard