Rock-Sliders and Side-Curtain air-bags?

[BetoLC]

hello - first post from a 200 newbie. I have already learnt a ton from this forum so thank-you everybody!

Thinking about first mods to a 200 series and i have come across several older threads mentioning “airbag compliant rock sliders” (on other forums, not IH8)

I wondered if this is something to be concerned about? Sliders stopping the proper functioning of the side-curtain airbags

I have an engineering background but not in cars/trucks. I had assumed the ECU takes inputs from accelerometers and inclinometers. Are their actually “crush” sensors in the body? Is it a common concern that trail armour inpedes the full sensor set for firing airbags/pre-tensioners?

Apologies if this subject is already well covered. I tried a several searches and couldn’t find anything.

Thanks very much for any thoughts.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Yep, you pretty much hit it, air bag sensors for the side curtains are located in further, so a rock slider won't make a difference on deployment force or timing. They also reley on more variables from other sensors and factors, like ground speed, yaw/pitch (my favorite sensor located deep under the shifter)

To hit on another area, and I'm a big ARB fan, but all front bumpers are air bag compatible on a 200. The front sensors are pulled back much further now that for them to set off, impact has already past the radiator and it now pushing into the motor. Gone are the days that ARB had a selling point (but they still are one of the few that don't transmit more frame cracking force, unlike more aftermarket bumpers).

There was a time when sensors were places further out, and you would see (more domestic trucks) take not very hard hits to the bottom of aftermarket bumper on rocks and the air bags would go off. So without going into the specifics of a lot of different vehicles, but for the 200, no worries, but whatever slider you want, and your safety will absolutely not be compromised.

 

[BetoLC]

Thanks very much!