Aftermarket bumpers, air bags, and collision concerns

[rob_dixon]

The ability for a modern vehicle to absorb impact is incredible. Especially damage to the frame if less than 30 MPG.

But we throw bumpers on like its no big deal. I was just about to purchase one, but then it occurred to me that if I were to get a aftermarket bumper, if I were to get into an accident the damage likely would be SIGNIFICANTLY worse in an accident and maybe even damage the frame.

....or worse, prevent the airbags from deploying properly!

A search on this subject has revealed almost nothing, but this has me entirely rethinking the benefits of an aftermarket bumper for aesthtics and the very few times i would need the extra clearance.

Anyone have experience with this?

 

[LandCruiser]

No idea. It is a theoretical exercise that's not much different of how you think you will do in a collision depending on what you hit (small car, big car, truck, wall, concrete, steel, etc.)

I have noticed in my years that many aftermarket bumpers these days are overlanding jewelry and will either crack at shitty welds or shear off at their mounts.

If you have a solid off road bumper you aren't uparmoring your vehicle to do better in a vehicle collision scenario, but making the front end of your truck with its radiator, AC condenser, engine, etc. more impervious to low speed impacts that modern bumpers are incapable of dealing with.

YMMV.

 

[techno]

Your concerns are valid and common, but here's some food for thought.


ARB is the only aftermarket bumper manufacturer that makes 'airbag compatible' bumpers. They are a big enough corporation that they can afford the significant engineering expenses involved to do this. Airbag compatible simply means that their product will not change the way an airbag is designed to deploy.



Typically, aftermarket bumpers strengthen the front of the vehicle, resulting in REDUCED energy absorbtion through structural deformation. This means that deceleration will be faster and the airbag may deploy sooner or at a lower impact speed.

It's up to you to decide if this is a concern or not and weigh the pro's and cons.

 

[rob_dixon]

Your concerns are valid and common, but here's some food for thought.


ARB is the only aftermarket bumper manufacturer that makes 'airbag compatible' bumpers. They are a big enough corporation that they can afford the significant engineering expenses involved to do this. Airbag compatible simply means that their product will not change the way an airbag is designed to deploy.



Typically, aftermarket bumpers strengthen the front of the vehicle, resulting in REDUCED energy absorbtion through structural deformation. This means that deceleration will be faster and the airbag may deploy sooner or at a lower impact speed.

It's up to you to decide if this is a concern or not and weigh the pro's and cons.

Yeah I decided for exactly this reason its a no go for me. 90% is on road, and I decided its not worth it to risk messing with the Toyota Engineers in this area.

 

[Ogre75]

For me anyway...
No Replacement bumper - hit a deer, airbag deploys, entire front end is jacked
With Replacement bumper - hit a deer, airbag deploys, good chance of minimal front end damage.

just my $.02

 

[Magnetnerd]

For me anyway...

No Replacement bumper - hit a deer, airbag deploys, entire front end is jacked

With Replacement bumper - hit a deer, airbag deploys, good chance of minimal front end damage.



just my $.02

Fair point, but considering that the vehicle isn't absorbing the impact, that means you're going into the wheel/airbag that much sooner. Yeah your rig will look better but what about you?

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[rob_dixon]

Fair point, but considering that the vehicle isn't absorbing the impact, that means you're going into the wheel/airbag that much sooner. Yeah your rig will look better but what about you?

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

And actually you risk the frame. Frame damage/twisting versus a crashed in front bumper is the difference between a $3K repair and a $12K repair, and add airbag deployment on top of that. AND any medical injuries from such a deployment (which are very common - they save your life but mess you up in the process).

We all take risks behind the wheel and should not live in fear, but I posted this, then did more research and as i stated ultimately decided it was not for me.

 

[3bears]

you will be fine without a big bumper..when I lived in the lower 48 I would see jacked up big armor snorkel trucks that rarely left the mall. Sometimes 2wd...chuckle...sorry.
Yes the ARB is the only one I know of that is air bag compatible and they have mounting systems that will deform b4 the frame does...just look at the ARB for a 3rd gen or a taco. ARB 3423020 if I remember # correct
Some people need the different bumper design for approach angles. Some need it for mounting a winch...or some for some protection. And yes...some to look "cool"
For me...hitting a deer is no problem considering my main animal to jump in front of me is a moose...in that case..a big bumper helps deflect away...but in a big head on your frame is gonna be toast no matter if a stock bumper or a big bumper. In lots of cases...the moose ends up on the side of the road...or in your lap ( they stand taller than many hoods).
Bull bars that mount to stock bumpers are known as damage multipliers...those will fold on low impact and take out your radiator etc...but they look cool to some.
All that said, I prefer the iines of a stock bumper, even the fat lip

my 2cents