Gen 4 recovery points

Are the jimnybits front recovery points legal? as they stick out past the front bumper like 2 spikes. I want to fit them so I can get rid of the front plough (tie down point) Do you need to inform your insurance?

Interesting subject with no direct legislation I can see, I guess the nearest thing is fitting bull bars.
Fitting bull bars that dont conform to strict a EU directive has been illegal since approximately May 2007, Vehicles fitted with bars before this date are not effected. The directive insists on a minimum level of protection for pedestrians and other road users.

Ok they are not the same and I don't believe it's illegal to fit them (the recovery points), but the front of the Jimny has been designed to minimise injury to pedestrians and other road users, so fitting pointy spikes is undoubtedly not going to be looked on favourably if you hit a pedestrian and they cause additional injury.
So it's imperative you tell your insurance you have them fitted so they have no way to back away from any potential claim. It is after all is said and done a modification to the vehicle.

Just my opinion, I am no legal expert.
Mike

If you imagine the bumper deforming in a fairly minor bump those points will stick out a huge amount. It was my intention to fit towpoints and a front mounted tow hitch but I got to thinking i'ts a lot of potentially dangerous iron that I might not use that much. My Jimnybits kit is in the loft and may remain there for some time.
Chris

This is why mine are still in the stores, in 15 years of using Jimny on the farm I have yet to have reason to fit them, primarily because to be of much use they require that you are dragged forward through the obstacle that prevented you from making your own progress rather than being removed the way you went in and finding an alternative. Then you have the damage in a collision to consider and your insurance will have to know. Not for me just at the moment.

Some (all?) pay and play sites specify that vehicles must have recovery points fitted. What do they mean by that?

I guess they want you to have a means to recover the vehicle if needed, a place to connect a tow?
In standard form the Jimny has a recovery point welded to the chassis at the front, can't recall if it also has one at the back.
It may or may not be up to the job, but it's a recovery or tie point after all is said.

I can't recall ever being challenged about this on the sites I've been to in my Land Rover, it has no aftermarket recovery points as such. It's been pulled out by the bumper, chassis, towbar and axles, in fact anything we could get a strap around safely. So I don't know?

If you feel you need additional recovery points then fit them, the key message here is just tell your insurance you have them.

Mike