"Ichoptop" mentioned that modifying OEM safety devices on any automobile is illegal. That's a good point.

Here's another thing to think about: does this modification effect the operation of the air bags (specifically the air bag sensors)? Will a stiffer bumper make the air bags more likely to inflate in a low speed accident? Will it make them less likely to inflate in a higher speed accident? :?:

I don't have the answer to this one, but I do know that is not unusual for sensors to be tuned to the specific design of the vehicle. Are there any "air bag" experts out there? :?:

 

How about taking the insurance money, junking the Nissan and using the money for a down payment on an xB.
I'm not trying to downplay the pain from losing your car in an accident. Its one of Murphy's laws that once you make a major repair to a car it gets in an accident. :?

 

I understand your concern however, please consider the following:

1. I am an engineer and a mechanic. My Brother, Father, and Grandfather are all master mechanics. From an experience standpoint, I think I’ve got it covered. From a technical stand point I have proven history of my vehicle modifications being effective and safe. The one time I had to make an insurance claim because of a hit and run in a parking lot, the insurance adjuster was very impressed with my bumper work and said without the modifications the damage would have been a lot worse. He actually encouraged me to submit my design modifications to Nissan.

2. I did not design the bumper to be indestructible. I merely reinforced the OEM bumper to more evenly distribute the force of an impact across the entire surface area as well as add protection the front wheels.

3. Crumple zones are built into the cars uni-frame and safety cage. They were not modified.

4. The air-bag sensor is located on the driver’s side, bolted to the vehicles uni-frame, behind the bumper. It is activated by the g-forces encountered during an impact. It is NOT attached to the bumper and will activate in a crash if the bumper is there or not.

5. The steel rod I used was bent by hand (using lots of muscle and leverage) I think a vehicle impact will be able to bend it.

6. Pickup Trucks and SUV are major accident problems in general. Their bumpers are a non-standard height and frequently override a cars bumper in a crash, thus bypassing all the impact absorption capabilities of the cars bumper. Furthermore they are exempt from many of the safety laws and standards for cars.

7. My sympathies to the lady who RAN the red light, but any impact into the side of a vehicle, where there is no bumper and very little crumple zone can prove to be fatal.

8. I am not aware of any laws in NYS regarding the modifications of bumpers. More research is required.

Peace.


- Rally xB

 

it's all good rally,

just really saying that if a lawer wants to press the issue they can...

my personal feelings are, i like it...

 

Ralley, I'm not baggin on you at all. Unfortunatly thats what the DOT and state law (at least in colorado) state therefore all my cars for the last 18 years have been illegal in some way or another. I am also a mechanical engineer for the last 10 years, I have worked for automotive aftermarket companies, the DOT, and SEMA during my career. I, like you, know what I am doing when swinging wrenches around but all of this wont mean squat when after a wreck a lawyer overhears the insurance adjuster talk about a modified front bumper that was involved with a wrech and takes a case before a bleeding heart jury.

 

I totally understand an appreciate the warning. Lawyers are troublemakers anyways. However, I'd rather improve my chances of surviving a wreck than worry about some law suit that may never happen.

 

I totally agree! I think I've said it before, but I'll say it again, great work!