I live in a suburban area that is notorious for lots of deer this time of year.
Driving home one night I saw a deer run out it to the road.

I stopped quick and leaned on the horn for a good minute to scare the deer away, because I have seen too many stupid people just stop and watch the deer walk in front of their car and they never use the horn. I want the deer to be afraid of cars so they run away, not just waltz into the road thinking cars are safe. So... after the deer was gone, I started forward again only to have another deer run RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CAR...


Now... I told you that story, so I could tell you this story...

Months ago after viewing some crash photos of other xB(s), I did some tinkering and took the front end of my xB apart. I noticed how ineffective the OEM bumper is. Being an engineer (and a mad tinkerer) I reinforced it with hardened steel rod and padded it with high-density foam. I have done similar work on two other vehicles I have owned and have unfortunately "field tested" these new bumpers over the years with some minor parking lot accidents... but have proven the effectiveness. So... I knew that this would help...


OEM bumper


1 ½" Reinforcing Rod


Waterproof foam Padding

And now back to the story...

So... I'm going about 10 MPH and run right into the dear. WACK!!! I hear a "POP" that sounds like a big plastic box being dropped on the floor. The deer gets knocked off it's feet and rolls about 3 times before bouncing over the curb and laying in a heap on the sidewalk.
I'm thinking... "OMG my new car! Oh **** I broke it's legs!"
I immediately pull off the road and get out to check on the hapless critter.
The deer struggles to its feet like a drunken sailor on shore leave, shakes itself like a wet dog, then runs off into the field to join it's friends.
I am standing there amazed that the deer was unhurt, then I remember all the work I did to my car's bumper.
I hesitantly walk to the front of the car to view the damage... aside from a big greasy smear on the license plate cover and a few bits of fur caught on the edges... the car is UNDAMAGED! Woo Hoo!!!

Like my Grandpa used to say... "I've yet to find a machine that you can't make a little better."
I guess all that padding absorbed the impact and kept deer and car from getting damaged.

Score 1 for re-engineering!
:D

 

Dude, That is by far the coolest story/idea/field testing I have heard! Way to go man! Keep up the good work. I might have to try doing that to my car too, people drive too crazy here in California, hitting Orang Cones on the freeways and what not! (Sorry Nilo, had to do it, you are such an LA driver!) Hahaha, j/k! We may not have deer, but we have "wild orange cones" roaming around, just waiting to smash into your bodykit.


Victor

 

It sounds like a draw to me...so score one for the deer too. :mrgreen:

Seriously tho' good looking out.

 

A week after I got my new xB I went to my 30th high school reunion. On the way back a deer jumped out in front of my car.

Thanks to the anti-lock brakes I stopped short of hitting the deer and did not lose control of the car. The deer just contiued on its way.

Also I'm glad I didn't drink much at the party.

With an xB window you might end up with a deer in your lap if you were going at a decent clip.

Nice bumper improvement. I might do that down the road.

 

Just remember where there is one deer there is another. If one crosses the road in front of you, stop because there will be another or two right after it. I know from experience in the past.

Later

 

I was stopped and used the horn for almost a minute.
That's why I was so surprised that another deer came out and crossed.


Crazy critters!

 

i will post the sadness soon after i take some pics.

but there WAS a semi forest preserve by my house. now in less than one week its a field for either houses or business..hmm giving me ideas..
but now no more deers since that was its habitat.

i almost got ran over and did a deer stance. the stupid jeep was coming straight at me and i was like for 15 seconds. after the jeep stopped in front of me about 1.5 foot away and i reacted i continue on my way of crossing the street.
btw it was the jeeps' fault. i look both ways first.

 

Have you removed your bumper cover to check to see what happened before the plastic popped back into place?

 

Is the wateproof padding FunNoodles? That had to set you back a dollar or two there.

 

like this?

 

LOL..OMG. that is so funny ^^^^^^^^

kinda like that

 

I had my box 6 days and a deer ran out of the woods being chased by a bear and BAM broadsided my car and mashed the driver and passenger door. over 1,000.00 worth of damage. The damned thing bounced off the car and took off. The next day the same deer jumped in front of me in the same area. I knew it was the same one as it was limping on the right side. That sucked.

 

around here aligators and crocodiles are a big problem they go out into the road and sometimes they become roadkill

 

what happened to bear?

 

If it was me....
click, slam, boom, boom....shuffle, shuffle......grunt, plop....vroom, screech.


That would have been me shooting the bear (click, slam, boom, boom..)
then me dragging the bear to the back of the car (..shuffle, shuffle..)
lugging the bear into the back (....grunt, plop...)
and getting the F out of there (...vroom, screech.)
:D

 

Deer are dumb. I cross paths with them usually once a week. Ever wonder why they get hit. They don't run when they see the headlights (Deer in the headlights look) . And honking at them doesn't do anything either. it's good there wasn't any damage.

 

I've had similar ideas about reinforcing the OEM bumper... in particular, I've thought about the foam.

Could you please post a materials list and How-To (you could propably skip the removal and reassembly of the front end).

Where did you get these items?
* 1.5 " hardened steel rod
* waterproof high-density foam

Thanks for sharing your idea, pics and post. :D RPM

 

Yes I checked. No damage.
:D

 

Give that man a prize!
It's the same high density, high impact resistant, closed cell,
waterproof foam that you can buy on-line for a LOT more money.

 

My buddy had the same thing happen with his brand new Ford Explorer.
A deer ran right into the door and caved it in.... then got up and ran away.

Crazy Critters!