Bumpers and airbags.

I just purchased a new Tacoma and was interested in installing a beefier bumper but I was told this could mess with the sensors for the airbags-is this true?

 

No worse than having stuff in your bed.

 

Not necessarily. This just happened....got hit by a dodge 3500 with a flat beat going between 35 and 45. The bumper definitely save me from more damage.

 

Yeah I was definitely surprised.

 

how did that 4runner get in the mess ^

 

He hit ice and smashed into a wall so I pulled over to check to see if he was ok when that dodge with the flat bed hit the same ice and smashed into me.

 

Always wondered what exactly would set the air bags off with armor on. Just last week had a friend get t-boned by a guy going 25-35. Guy hit basically right on his bolted on rock sliders. Air bags didnt deploy and the sliders, front door, and access cab door were all dented/bent. Walked away with a pretty nasty concussion but other wise was fine.

 

See the 2 other trucks in the accident had their air bags go off but mine didn't.

 

Damn, glad you're ok man.

 

Thanks man

 

They probably do mess with the airbag. As far as I know, the only companies that are required to test to prove compatibility with airbag systems are out of Australia (ARB and TJM). US manufacturers are not required and, from what I can tell, do not. I don't think it's a simple as "if you don't have to move the sensor it's not going to cause a problem" that seems to be the prevailing sentiment. Ford had a recall based on a change in the material of the tow hooks affecting how shocks were transmitted through the vehicle to the airbag sensor during an impact. The harsher shock from impacting a cast tow hook was enough to cause airbags to deploy too soon or in low speed accidents. The fix was to replace the tow hook with a forged one.