Legality and Safety of Some Modifications

samanator · 07-12-2006, 06:17 AM

I’ve seen how some of the members have gotten flamed about legality when they have discussed HID conversion for the head lights, but nothing has been said about lift kits or bumper modifications. To me the real world effect of moving the bumpers up (or down) and away from the Federal mandated height would be of more concern to me ( not to mention the effects of changing the vehicle dynamics by moving the center of gravity and roll axis) . I realize there are vehicles out there with adjustable ride height but they compensate for this in their bumper and suspension design. Even more concerning are the bumper modifications I’ve seen. There appears to be little or no engineering above whether they fit and how do they look. How do these fare in a crash test? What would they do to another vehicle in a crash? We expect the manufactures of the vehicles to go through all of these test and provide the data but we have little or no expectations from the aftermarket. Under the same standards that some have put to the HID headlights, how do we know if these modifications are legal? And of more concern how do we know these changes meet the OEM standards for crash worthyness. What are the performance changes made to the vehicles responses by these changes (Adding weight to the front end or changing the ride height must change the skid pad, slalom, braking and acceleration numbers)? Being and engineer and a pessimist I need to see real numbers, data and documentation. Has anyone seen anything from theses venders along these lines prior to the products being offered on the market? In my job over the years I have brought many items to market for the companies I have worked for and have had to meet standards all around the world for these products with regards to safety, RF, noise, emissions... What standards do these products meet? Don’t get me wrong I like some of these items and may purchase a few of them (Bumpers, Wheels, tires and Suspension systems). I just want to know what they will really do to the vehicle technically and legally. I expect the parts from Toyota to meet all standards but I really welcome a responce from our other vendors.

MagicMtnDan · 07-12-2006, 07:46 AM

Have you actually compared the design and robustness of Toyota FJ stock bumper to these aftermarket bumpers you're talking about?

Are you an engineer? Why are you wondering about the crashworthiness of these steel aftermarket bumpers? Bumpers aren't crash tested - the entire vehicle is. If you've compared a welded steel aftermarket bumper to a stock bumper I don't think you'd ask about crashworthiness.

Why are you concerned with the "legality" of aftermarket bumpers and suspension lifts? Are you completely unfamiliar with all that goes into the the design, engineering and manufacturing of aftermarket products for cars and trucks?

gearguywb · 07-12-2006, 08:37 AM

Not concerned about it....the bumper police haven't been to see me yet

philipl · 07-12-2006, 08:43 AM

One thing that concerns me is that the stock front bumper is designed to absorb and dissipate force in a crash. Bolting a stronger structure directly to the frame would likely create a greatly different foce dissipation and would, I suspect, reduce vehicle safety.

mikey · 07-12-2006, 08:48 AM

If there is a sticker or label on the product you are purchasing that states "This product is intended for racing or offroad use only" more than likely it is illeagal for use on public roads.
It's "Buyer Beware" when buying and mounting aftermarket accesories to your vehicle.

RubiconSS · 07-12-2006, 09:17 AM

Didn't want to read the "Gigunda Paragraph".

ARB tests it's bumpers in order for each bumper application to compliment a particular vehicles safety equipment.
I put an ARB on my Rubicon in order to combat the Bear and Deer population in my neck of the woods.

peacecorpssenegal · 07-12-2006, 09:24 AM

It would be interesting to see how insurance is effected by all the mods done to the FJ...Peace

philipl · 07-12-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

RubiconSS previously said:

Didn't want to read the "Gigunda Paragraph".

ARB tests it's bumpers in order for each bumper application to compliment a particular vehicles safety equipment.
I put an ARB on my Rubicon in order to combat the Bear and Deer population in my neck of the woods.

I'll bet they don't actually do formal crash tests.

RubiconSS · 07-12-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

philipl previously said:

I'll bet they don't actually do formal crash tests.

I'm not sure what they wear during testing but.... check out ARB's website.
It is an impressive company.

samanator · 07-12-2006, 10:02 AM

As others have pointed out steel does not necessarily make it more crash worthy over the plastic and foam. There is a lot of physics here that are in play in a crash that a less giving structure such as steel could make the total vehicle more dangerous. Changes with out test verification could result in possibly allowing something under the hood to enter the passenger compartment that would not happen had the change not been made. Look at crash data. You would be really supprised by some vehicles that you believe would be good are really bad. Looks strong is not a good answer!