Sods law?

[bigegg]

Not sure if it's just sods/Murphy's law, or if this particular corollary has a specific name:

Been after a towbar for the lexus.
Dealer only, no aftermarket alternative. £460 from dealer.(supply only, electrics extra)
Can't order from states because not type approved.

TWO years I've had an ongoing search on eBay.
Phone round all the lexus breakers once a month.

Finally got to the point where I MUST have a towbar, so I phoned the dealer.
It's NO LONGER STOCKED.



Which means I have to get rid of the lexus :-(

So I've now got to rebuild the shogun and get it roadworthy and MOT'd before Xmas - which I was gonna leave until the weather got better, since I'll be working on the drive.

New fuel pump bought.
New wheels - cos 4 wheels with good tyres is cheaper than 2 new tyres.
New back lights bought
Welding (so bought a mig welder + gas).


Oh. And half an hour after ordering, I got a lexus towbar + electrics for £65 off eBay.

 

[rtbcomp]

It's opposite of getting rid of something you've had for years and then finding a use for it.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

But think of the new toys you now own

 

[tinker jim]

Well I can tell you its not murphys law cause the parts ordered for the shogun would have out of stock till after xmas and you would have been out bid on the toe bar by a penny so must be sods law dont ask how I know.

 

[gaz_moose]

what lexus is it? if its an ls400 then ask on the banger / drift pages on facebook. they will have people with those cars looking to make a quick buck.

 

[DrDeAtH]

The law of sod is a fickle thing...
Best resolve is to adjourn to the nearest hostelry for at least 3 hours...

 

[bigegg]

what lexus is it? if its an ls400 then ask on the banger / drift pages on facebook. they will have people with those cars looking to make a quick buck.

Gs300

I'd love an ls400...

 

[Kayos]

I’d look at replacing the lpg system with a more modern one, you can reuse the tank and vaporiser and just get 6 port injection setup with a learning ecu

 

[bigegg]

I’d look at replacing the lpg system with a more modern one, you can reuse the tank and vaporiser and just get 6 port injection setup with a learning ecu

Plan now is to mot the Shogun and get rid.
Only got it because I couldn't get a towbar for the lexus.
Money for shogun will go a long way towards new lpg system.

 

[Kayos]

Plan now is to mot the Shogun and get rid.
Only got it because I couldn't get a towbar for the lexus.
Money for shogun will go a long way towards new lpg system.

So you lpg’ing the Lexus?

 

[bigegg]

So you lpg’ing the Lexus?

thats the plan - eventually!

 

[sardine]

I paid £17 quid for a bit of mirror glass then on the way home passed a Next store that was having a refit, all the mirrors were going in the skip.

Sods.

 

[thinfourth]

What age is the car?

I'd be tempted to get the USA one and pled ignorance or make your own

 

[bigegg]

What age is the car?

I'd be tempted to get the USA one and pled ignorance or make your own

1999
So the plate is checked at each MOT I believe?

 

[steveo3002]

how hard do they check ...id imagine you would need to put a nice thick coat of underseal or grease to protect it

worst case rob a makers plate off something up the scrap yard....do fit a uk ball to it , i think the u.s ones are slightly smaller

 

[thinfourth]

1999
So the plate is checked at each MOT I believe?

i have a similar vintage landrover and there is not one single sticker on the towbar

here section 6.6

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...mot-inspection-manual-classes-3-4-5-and-7.pdf

Nothing saying it has to have a sticker


the only concern i would have about the USA type is it might be a receiver type not a ball type

So i would have a look in the back of the owners manual and see if it give the bolting pattern and if it does then you are half way to making your own

 

[MoreWellie]

if it does then you are half way to making your own

I am pretty sure, although not certain, that 1998 was the cutoff year and after that only type approved towbars are allowed

 

[gaz_moose]

just make your own and paint it with hammerite, it will look like it was fitted when new by the time you take it for MOT next year.

 

[bigegg]

If it's not type approved then my insurance wouldn't be valid, and I'd also be potentially liable under the "construction and use" legislation.

Besides, I've got a type approved one now.
FINALLY!