Effect on Air Bag deployment of after market heavy duty front bumpers

[judge3rd]

I posted the following in the upgrades and aftermarket of the forums, but I it is equally applicable in this forum:

"I have an 05 Excursion, 6.0, 4 x 4, Ltd on Order.
I have also ordered and have at the dealer a Ranch Hand Bullnose front bumper.
Question:
What affect will the replacement bumper have on delaying the deployment of the front air bags, in the event of front impact?
The dealer said that because of the excange, the air bags would deploy, but with a delay over and above the factory bumper.
Technical question, but valid."

JIM

[jschira]

Airbags deploy based on the severity of the crash sensed by the airbag sensors. Anything that delays that info getting to the sensors, or dulling the severity of the crash as sensed by the sensors, will delay and/or prevent the bags from blowing. How much, I don't know.

I am not a big fan of huge front bumpers, but that is not the question that you asked.

[judge3rd]

"I am not a fan of huge front bumpers"

WHY?

[CHPMustang]

[ QUOTE ]
I have also ordered and have at the dealer a Ranch Hand Bullnose front bumper

[/ QUOTE ]
Sweet bumper to start with [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

You'll be adding maybe 100 pounds or so to the front end over the stock bumper. There'll be a little more of a dampening effect if an impact was to occur but can't say what speed combined with the weight of the object it contacts for the air bag/s to come out.

I've worked motor vehicle wrecks in the past where 35mph impacts resulted in non deployment of air bags when others have at under 35 but it depends so much from car to car and truck to truck and the type of accident.

So what your dealer stated to you sounds about right. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[caryt]

One thing about a properly made and braced aftermarket bumper is it will rip whatever you hit to pieces and use the other guys auto as your crumple zone [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img], I know I am not PC but if push comes to shove I want mine loved ones to walk away.

Cary

[jschira]

[ QUOTE ]
One thing about a properly made and braced aftermarket bumper is it will rip whatever you hit to pieces and use the other guys auto as your crumple zone [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img], I know I am not PC but if push comes to shove I want mine loved ones to walk away.

Cary

[/ QUOTE ]

Except if someone with one of those huge bumpers T-bones your loved ones. Your big front bumper won't do much good then.

[CHPMustang]

[ QUOTE ]
but if push comes to shove I want mine loved ones to walk away

[/ QUOTE ]
Well said Cary [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

We have two sons and their safety is number #1

As I told another user errant drivers best not run a red light in front of us [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

[mongocaver]

I have been in two major collisions where I hit someone with the front of my 2000 F350 crewcab longbed 4 wheel drive. Total weight with toolboxes, bumpers, headache rack etc, 8500 pounds. One time with a Ranch Hand front end replacement and another time with a Rough Stock front end replacement on the front of my truck. I had also internally braced both of them by welding in extra gussets, etc. Both of the vehicles I hit were totaled. Their drivers and passengers were shook up a little with minor injuries. Both times I was traveling over 35mph. NO airbag deployment either time. I was not wearing a seat belt either time, and was not moved out of my seat by either impact. I drove the truck home both times. The first time insurance paid $9000 to fix my truck, the next time $5000. Say what you want, I love my tank. And I don't worry much about my wife in her X either. Only a semi-tractor or another truck like mine is a threat to it. Keep your rice burners and little bitty tin cans, I prefer a Big Ford with added Iron.
James