Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK™

[J W Sawyer]

Hi Guys, :D
When fitting a new tow bar nobody has mentioned whether the rear chromium bull bar has to be removed or whether it can be retained.
I have been considering fitting a bar and want to retain the chromium item if I can. There doesn't appear to be much space between the spare wheel and the bull bar. Can anyone advise? :?

Not being bound by the latest legislation, the material to make my own would cost about £15 + the elctrical items, but I'm not sure if I want the hastle.
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JJ
Delica Chamonix 2.8 TD Blue o Silver

[Google]

[IanFJ]

Hi

For the two types of towbar that I have see, including the Towequipe one in mine, the rear bar has to go as the towbar uses the mountings.

Best of luck

IanJ
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He who dies with the most toys, wins

[Michaelr]

I fitted a receiver hitch towbar to mine, which utilised the rear bump bar mountings. I then cut the brackets off the bump bar, leaving only a bit of the mounting bracket, and welded it onto the tow bar.

Two in one!
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Michaelr
Sydney, Australia
'95 L400 Delica Exceed Aero 2.8TDi

[Oldskool Beat]

I've only seen one Deli' that has managed to retain it's bump bar after fitting a tow bar, can't remember who it belongs to now

Was thinking about fitting mine back on but the amount of times I've grounded the tow bar I would have lost it by now
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Beat
I will not be held responsible for any loss of limbs or any other damage to Deli' or persons.
I am in no way a mechanic or auto electrician.
Just trying to help ;)
L400 LWB with toys  

[Rusty]

[J W Sawyer]

Hi Guys, :D
Thanks for the comments.

At a glance the fixings for the nudge bar do not appear to be sufficient for attaching a load bearing tow bar. However, I stand to be corrected as it would seem that these fixings have been used for commercially manufactured tow bars? :o

I thought that the best fixing position for a load bearing bar would be the two box chassis box sections, either side of the spare wheel mounting, which already appear to have fixing holes. This may mean a more complicated fit but possibly a stronger job and I also believe that the nudge bar can be retained helping to disguise the tow bar.

As far as grounding is concerned, I do not intend introducing my "Babe" to the "Hippo" environment - what ever next??????
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JJ
Delica Chamonix 2.8 TD Blue o Silver

[IanFJ]

You are correct, the box sections are used to take the main load but the rear bar location point are used to locate the towbar vertically.

IanJ
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He who dies with the most toys, wins

[J W Sawyer]

Thanks Ian,
I must " get my finger out", buy some material and get on with the job.

I'll append some pics with my next mail to show interested parties how I get on - may be a while though.

Halfords sell all the necessary electrical bits and their prices appear to be competitive.
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JJ
Delica Chamonix 2.8 TD Blue o Silver

[J W Sawyer]

Hi Guys
I've taken my finger out - bought the material, two electrical sockets, duel purpose relay, cabling and paint for approx £45.00. :D

My idea was to retain the existing chrome nudge bar with it's fixing, and achieve a tow hitch ball centre height of around 400mm.

I used 65mm angle iron attached to the chassis box section, cut and welded 50mm square tube to the angle iron and I managed to bring it round and under the nudge bar, picking up the 4 vertical fixings for the nudge bar on the way. 8)

The small stowage compartment, rear near side, made an ideal place to install all the necessary electrical items. Tow hitch height ended up at 370mm, giving the caravan a slight nose down stance.

I have some pics, but I'm not sure how to attach.
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JJ
Delica Chamonix 2.8 TD Blue o Silver