'We don't know how lucky we are ...'

Over in Australia, the Federal Government is considering adopting European regulations for the design and safety performance of motor vehicles. Aussie aftermarket companies reckon that it will not be possible to develop bullbars that will meet this European standard, and the full adoption of the standard is likely to lead to the banning of bullbars, and possibly other bumper-mounted accessories such as winches and driving lights. The Australian 4WD industry is preparing submissions saying that the Euro regulations are inappropriate. Mind you, the smug headline above this item (courtesy of Fred Dagg) could come back to bite if Canberra adopted the rules. Many suppliers of good gear could go to the wall if they lost the valuable bumper component of their businesses. Biggies like ARB with a large export business might not be so badly affected. Then there would be the possibility of New Zealand copying the Aussie rules; from there on it doesn't bear thinking about …

UPDATE: The Australian federal government has said it is not considering banning bullbars, but that there may be changes to the rules.

Heads-up for XJ Cherokee owners

Here's a thread on the Ausjeep Offroad Forum on modifications you can make to your classic Jeep Cherokee for less than $100. Lots of great ideas including $20 swaybar disconnects. Go to the last page of the thread for the earliest postings and work backwards. Some argue that the XJ was the best of the Cherokees and there are still plenty of good ones around at cheap-as prices. The photo was taken during its launch in New Zealand, back in 1996.

Why pussy around with regular recovery hooks?

"You call that a recovery hook? Nah, this is a recovery hook." A product from Wild Boar, an aftermarket company in Orange County, California. They call it the TowTusk.