Side and Curtain Air bags - yea or nay

[Go4aRyd]

What do you guys think about the FJ curtain airbags. I can't think of a single reason to want them on my rig, but am trying hard. From the Toyota literature,

"...The side airbags and side curtain airbags are designed to deploy in certain types of severe side-impact collisions. The front and rear side curtain airbags are also Roll-Sensing Curtain Airbags (RSCA) and are designed to deploy at a severe tilt degree, roll or lateral G-force. In all other accidents, the airbags will not deploy. To decrease the risk of injury from a deploying airbag, always wear seatbelts, sit upright in the middle of the seat as far back as possible from the airbag modules and do not lean against the door."

Can't see how that benefits a "wheeler"? I keep envisioning an extreme angle setting off the bags and busting my chops, my shoulders, buring my face, etc miles from the tow truck and medical assistance. Others?

[FirstToy]

Not really offroad but on-road, I can see some great benefits. Side curtain airbags do a great job of protecting the head and body in T-bone accidents and rollover (heaven forbid, you get into something on the freeway for example).

If you are considering it (esp if you have family in vehicle) I would strongly recommend you get the full airbag-meal deal. It is one of the significant features new vehicles have over older models.

Hopefully you never need it, but in a worst-case collision, it may save a life or major injury.

[bulldog-yota]

The human skull and any vehicle is the weakest on a side impact. SO anything that can be done to minimize injury is a great benefit. I personally would not want to buy a new vehicle without side airbags, and preferably curtain airbags as well.

For $500 or so the it is not worth skipping on it. Insurance well worth the price imho. See side impact videos and the difference between vehicles with and without side/curtain airbags. I think you will agree with me after you see it.

You may never need it, but the day you do you will definitely be glad. Protect yourself, especially for such a relatively small fee. Similar to condoms, the protection is worth every penny when something can go wrong

[Go4aRyd]

My question was really, is anyone else nervous about untimely off-road deployment of these side-curtain bags? Have only heard of a few frontal mistaken deployments but the potential for all three to hit you at the same time raises the stakes - particuarly if it deployed in serious off-roading.

(On road - no question they can save lives especially from the red-light and stop-sign runners. Never enter an intersection without looking ... even on a green light. Simple step has saved me more than once. After growing up on a motocycle, no seatbelt, no airbags, no helmet, no skins, I learned to have eyes on the back on my head anytime I wasn't "off-road". Maybe some of the guys near Glamis Dunes have off-road T-bone danger on the weekends )

[FirstToy]

Originally Posted by Go4aRyd

My question was really, is anyone else nervous about untimely off-road deployment of these side-curtain bags?

I think the FJC max sidehilling/offcamber is around 41 degrees? I would imagine the airbags would not activate until it went quite a bit beyond that, in which case you would be well on your way to 100% roof traction.

[bulldog-yota]

On the newer 4R and GX you have a switch to switch of the Rollsensing trigger for the side/curtain aribags. I guess the FJC does not have this switch then?? If it doesn't they probably have raised the bar for when it deploys to over the actual limit of which the vehicle can stay upright like FT said.

I owuldn't worry about the airbags going off by accident. I have doen some svere impacts on the dunes with my 03 4R and no issues, mine doesn't have the RCSA switch and I have been offcamber quite extensively with no issues.

[Jim S.]

My new Tundra has a switch to disable the side airbags. It's a 4x4. I'm asuming the princes's fj due in a couple of weeks will have the same switch. As stated above, we thought 5 Bengies real cheap for that kind of insurance. cheers.Jim

[Voodoogirl]

I thought I saw a post on here of someone's FJ, (yellow), that rolled on it's side while wheelin'. Wonder if he had the airbag option. Wouldn't you rather have them and not need 'em, than not have them and need 'em? Well worth the $$.

Kathie