Crash protection 98 flat face vs 99 "big" bumper

[henshman]

Fellow four runnerers, the time has come to replace the face bar on my 98.
If I had the time/$$ I would go big like Irbis...
Does the 99 big face provide anymore frontal crash protection than the flat face?
Either way does anyone have a reference for the part numbers needed to update or upgrade from the flat to the big limited type bumper?
Thanks

 

[RonMAIDEN]

No difference,the redesign was just aesthetic and not structural.

 

[henshman]

RM thanks for reply...that is pretty much what I thought.

 

[Hepar]

I thought the added bumper covers up some added reinforcement up front. I definitely am not 100% on it. Probably more like 22.7% sure.

 

[Dagobah]

yeah, I read somewhere that the fatlip bumper was the result of some them reworking the crumple zones or something like that...

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The only change was the brackets otherwise the bumpers are interchangeable even from a '96 to a '99.

 

[TheDurk]

The only change was the brackets otherwise the bumpers are interchangeable even from a '96 to a '99.

Still, you have to figure the lip fatness probably avoids some damage to grill/condenser/ radiator in low speed collision tests as the bumper has to deform more before those other components become involved.

 

[theizzardking]

Still, you have to figure the lip fatness probably avoids some damage to grill/condenser/ radiator in low speed collision tests as the bumper has to deform more before those other components become involved.

yeah but the ft/lbs of force between the 2 is most likely negligible, and that number being sooo small in real world scenarios the small amount of extra protection most likely wont do a thing for you. i get what your saying more material more to deform, more space longer deceleration curve on impact, but i really do think that it's such a small amount it wouldn't matter,

 

[BTO]

The best crash protection is to not get into a crash to begin with. I don't like the looks of the fat lip. I like the clean look of the '96.

 

[drinknmolson]

Aren't the fat lip bumpers mostly plastic anyway??

 

[TheDurk]

yeah but the ft/lbs of force between the 2 is most likely negligible, and that number being sooo small in real world scenarios the small amount of extra protection most likely wont do a thing for you. i get what your saying more material more to deform, more space longer deceleration curve on impact, but i really do think that it's such a small amount it wouldn't matter,

Obviously, I agree with that if you read my post carefully. I was deliberately specific as to the low-speed tests. If if saves the radiator at 11.2 mph instead of 9.3 mph, it will make a difference in those insurance company rankings. I suspect this was what they were after. Any real bump it won't make any difference at all.