ARB and air bags

[Tuner]

This is from the ARB web site for North America:

Air Bag Compatibility

ARB bull bars and mounting systems are built to replicate the vehicle’s crush rate, thereby ensuring complete air bag compatibility without compromising protection levels.

This is from the instructions accompanying the product:

THIS BAR MUST NOT BE FITTED TO A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AIR BAG) WTF, over?

I did a search and found this thread: IH8MUD.com ~ Toyota Tech Resource > Tech Forums > 80-Series Tech
ARB Airbag Sticker Question
everyone says there's nothing to worry about....but it seems to be false advertising at the least. ARB says the 80 is the only vehicle that has not been tested because the aussie model does not have air bags.

 

[Mike S]

Why not call ARB tech support and get the skinny from them? Most (all?) later 80s do have airbags, many of them have ARB bull bars, too. I do.

...and no, I will not crash test my truck.

M

 

[ed97fzj80]

Sounds like a liability disclaimer to me, i.e. "If you put on one of our bumpers and your airbag doesn't deploy when you thought it should, don't come running to us. We told you not to do it."

That said, given that an 80s airbag is triggered by an accelerometer under the dash and not by any bumper sensors, it ought to be fine. Add to that, this site has reports of airbags working just fine with ARBs. Sounds like no worries to me.

 

[Tuner]

You are right....right after I typed it, I remembered ARB is on PST and they were still open. Other than screwing up my order, the guys out there couldn't be more helpful. Seems out of all the bars they sell, the 80 series for North America is the only one with the disclaimer due to the lack of testing and no crumple zone. We both agree a) the web site is misleading for this one product and b) the lack of a crumple zone coupled with an inertial trigger will probly result in a faster deployment of the bags....a theory yet to be proven.

In any case, the bar is installed and looks just as good in person as it does in the photos. I also installed the stock shocks CD shipped me tonight. While working on the front left, I shined my light up around number six....MFJB....will post a photo later but it looks like there's some add'l work around the corner. I'm anxious to hear what the experts think.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Tuner,

Just to provide a little light on your point b) above. The 80 does have crumple zones front and rear just like any modern car does. The sheet metal and frame are designed to deform in a way that increases energy absorption versus metal that deforms randomly. This is accomplished with the unusual grooves and various little shapes formed into the metal - some of which you can see and others you cannot.

Congratulations on the new bar!

DougM

 

[NorCalDoug]

If you're THAT worried about it, buy a 93 or 94 and stick your ARB on that. Problem solved.

 

[Tuner]

Tuner,

Just to provide a little light on your point b) above. The 80 does have crumple zones front and rear just like any modern car does. The sheet metal and frame are designed to deform in a way that increases energy absorption versus metal that deforms randomly. This is accomplished with the unusual grooves and various little shapes formed into the metal - some of which you can see and others you cannot.

Congratulations on the new bar!

DougM

Thanks, ID...a dvd may be in my future depending on how the photo is interpreted. The ARB engineer said they(ARB) did not build a crumple zone into this bar like every other bar they sell in North America, thus the disclaimer. I'm not too worried about it, just find it curious that ARB goes to great lengths to tout their engineering for air bags....unless you order a bar for the 80 series. I'd think a disclaimer for this bar on the web site is in order but that's MHO, I'm over it.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Tuner,

Whups, I'm realizing that you were referring to the ARB bar specifically when talking about the crumple zone. I was talking about the 80. My bad.

DougM