Odd Australian Design Regulations

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by Dezza

Another weird one involves 4WDs that have a spare wheel on the tailgate. If you can't see a brake light at a 45* angle (even if you can see the other 2 fine), it's gotta have a set of lights placed elsewhere instead (usually in the bumper). So basically the main taillights end up not being used. You see this a lot on Patrols, Pajeros, etc.

Yes, the tail lights are in the rear aftermarket type bar, and are a lot smaller and far less visible from the rear than the original tail lights. Absolutely ridiculous.

[2011G6E]

The Nissan Patrol has a factory-designed "illegal" fitment...the rear wheel mounting means that from a 45 degree angle (can't remember from which side) you can't see the number plate fully...and we all know what they think about obscured number plates...

There's also apparently a loophole that means you don't neccisarily have to have windscreen wipers...as long as you don't have a windscreen. Some guys (not sure which state) were building a road-registered "bash" off-roar-buggy type machine and found that they didn't actually need to have wipers because it didn't have a windscreen. They'd assumed they would have to fit a windscreen (when they didn't really want to) and put wipers on. No actual requirement to have a windscreen either. It was a one-off constructed vehicle though.

I remember the one about no side-exiting exhaust pipes, unless the rear side windows don't open...say a panel van, ute, coupe with non-opening rear quarter windows, etc.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

Intrusion bars are installed from the inside, the end parts are slid and bolted into position on the door frame then welded at the correct length.

Found some...


I was thinking they would have to be to the standard of a factory part...

How this is just as good i don't know lol

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/for...ntrusion-bars/

[mik]

Originally Posted by Nikked

So, you have to take the door skin off, weld an appropriate bar in then put a new door skin on?


Technically, you cant even repair them, let alone intall one...


My bet it was something else...Supras do have intusion bars in the doors...infact every car would...

I dont undertand why it wouldn't...

yes they do but they(thin pressed sheet metal) are **** weak , the australian ones are much stronger, hence the the requirement to be changed, and there`s no need to pull the door skin off to fit them, my camera batteries are flat or i`d take a photo of a supra door with the trim off for you.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Found some...


I was thinking they would have to be to the standard of a factory part...

How this is just as good i don't know lol

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/for...ntrusion-bars/

More used to a tubular type where the front and rear tube sections which have the flat flanges on the ends that bolt to the doorframe, fit inside the main tube section, so they can slide inside eachother until they get welded on assy.

ADR29 also specifies the modified doors to be tested to certain requirements.

[CAMS290]

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...tion_adrs.aspx

[last fairlane]

Hi a couple of weird rules past and present
back in 1968 I had a Mk11 Zephyr and it had a third brake light fitted
and was told by cops to remove it as it was illegal to have an odd number
of lights front or back
dont know how you got on if you owned a Rover or a Studebaker
or even an old FX or FJ one tail light is an odd number isnt it
and to the last time I heard about side intrusion bars were back in the nineties
if you imported a Jap car you had to change the belts and the bars
also the tyres but at the same time if you were T boned you could go to the wreckers and buy a second hand door and it would be an import ie no bars
go figure
my last item is about my 1972 Mustang
to pass the engineer I had to fit new not used seat belts with orange buttons
strange rules that I have encounted personally
John

[Zedjay]

Originally Posted by davway

Yes, grey imports have to have side impact bars fitted - always have, always will.

not if its a private import..
i got a MZ20 that has no impact bars..it also has no child seat bolts and even only has lap belts in the rear....

[mik]

Originally Posted by Polyal

So your saying Oz built cars are safer than Japanese?..hehe

Some rules, like those that even differ from state to state are odd and seem to be there to keep some government agencies running.

Polyal do you think Aussie cars are so stone age they can`t possibly be better than a japanese car in any way? not having a go at you just wondering why, to me the asians do some things well(as do Aussies) , but i still don`t think they are the pinnacle of motor cars by any stretch.

[max_torq]

we don't seem to be allowed lane changing lights, as fitted to many luxury cars, they have to be amber and illuminate at the same time as the indicators.

[noosacuda]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

There's also apparently a loophole that means you don't neccisarily have to have windscreen wipers...as long as you don't have a windscreen. Some guys (not sure which state) were building a road-registered "bash" off-roar-buggy type machine and found that they didn't actually need to have wipers because it didn't have a windscreen. They'd assumed they would have to fit a windscreen (when they didn't really want to) and put wipers on. No actual requirement to have a windscreen either. It was a one-off constructed vehicle though.

T Buckets can get away with that by having a "Wind-deflector" as opposed to having a "Windscreen" in Qld any way.

[morak001]

Originally Posted by cobramania

Not 100% sure on this one, but the guy who told me spends about 4 months each year in Europe, & he says all Australian cars have to have an orange seat belt release button on them. Many European cars have other colours, I think BMW have yellow, some have Black, some Red, etc. But all have to be changed to Orange, when imported into Australia.

That one might depend on the model, The only mod I needed to do to my '97 3series from UK was to drill holes in the parcel shelf to allow access to the existing child restraint anchor points. The seat belts already had ADR tags on them. Speedo had miles and km marked.

[Kevaclone]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

Yes, the tail lights are in the rear aftermarket type bar, and are a lot smaller and far less visible from the rear than the original tail lights. Absolutely ridiculous.

further to that
the lights that cannot be seen must be disabled as you can't have too many lights, so if you pull the factory light lenses there are no bulbs or holders, I think Nissan even used, at one stage, black plastic instead of lenses

[Kevaclone]

Originally Posted by Johnnyboy

I have a full copy of the ADR's here somewhere.. Problem is they change so often.

For example, I remember the following light rules from the 80's. Not sure what happened to them as no one seems to follow them anymore - possibly no longer apply.

Lights - not to be mounted higher than 1m from the road surface. I see a heap of 4WD's with lights mounted on roof/tray bars.

These rules apply to factory options, anyone can fit lights where they want. but they can not be used on road and must be covered when on road
One exception seems to be Scania, they have factory driving lights fitted to the sunvisor

Lights - must have a symetrical pair of lights at front of vehicle - ie. no single driving light in the middle of the bull bar - how often do you see this now?

As above

Lights - driving lights had to be wired to only come on with the high beam. Fog lights should only come on with low beam and were only allowed to be uised in fog. No idea what the current fashion lights are described as in the ADR's...

They are still classed as fog lights as they come on with the park lights. Rules for their use is just ignored by those who think everyone is impressed with their light show(this goes for rear fogs also).
There are certain regs for "daytime running lights" also

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

I remember the one about no side-exiting exhaust pipes, unless the rear side windows don't open...say a panel van, ute, coupe with non-opening rear quarter windows, etc.

Yeah ive heard about that one, but doesnt explain this being allowed.

[Kevaclone]

Originally Posted by last fairlane

Hi a couple of weird rules past and present
back in 1968 I had a Mk11 Zephyr and it had a third brake light fitted
and was told by cops to remove it as it was illegal to have an odd number
of lights front or back
dont know how you got on if you owned a Rover or a Studebaker
or even an old FX or FJ one tail light is an odd number isnt it

John

if the car had the lights in that layout from the factory then they must remain and operate as per factory' If however someone fitted the light(before the high level brake light rules) then it was illegal, not because it was an odd number, but it was an extra light

the rule for having symmetrical pairs of brake/tail lights was only introduced in the early 80s, manufacturers only fitted pairs because they looked better