DutchTB's front bumper

[DutchTB]

At least one of those sensors reads impact deceleration. I don't know all the details, but at a certain deceleration reading combined with other inputs from the car, it activates the airbags.

Thanks Trail X, I understand that deceleration one of the important parameters is for activating the airbags. That means, in my opinion and great relief, there are no risks when using the winch for recovery actions or towing a truck. Even when the cross tube slightly bends.

Rene


René

[Trail X]

James how is this different than MDB steel bumpers and other that are similar? Stronger or the fact that there is some distance between the tube/sensor in a impacted? Would not the 3/16" steel bumpers which are not inherently designed to crumple just transfer the impact forces to the sensor through the mount points?

The crumple zone of our frame is between the bumper mounting points and the tube. Effectively it's a steel accordian. Remember what happened to Jason's envoy when it hit the tree? That's where it crumpled, and if it didn't give there I would bet that he could have had a hot airbag in his face.

By bolting the bumper directly to the sensors, or very close to them, you effectively get rid of the crumple that the airbag system is designed around. The only worry, as I think I said before was that it may give a false positive signal for airbag deployment at a lower speed accident than the airbag is really needed. Not a huge issue I don't think, but something to be aware of, especially if you drive like Jason.

[Trail X]

At least one of those sensors reads impact deceleration. I don't know all the details, but at a certain deceleration reading combined with other inputs from the car, it activates the airbags.

Thanks Trail X, I understand that deceleration one of the important parameters is for activating the airbags. That means, in my opinion and great relief, there are no risks when using the winch for recovery actions or towing a truck. Even when the cross tube slightly bends.

Rene


René

Bending the tube slightly should not have a negative impact on the sensors.

[v7guy]

I wouldn't be worried about winching at all. To be honest, I'd be surprised if it moved a bit while winching. The danger is high impact loads. Hitting a rock, a tree, another car.

As James mentioned, there is literally a spot on the frame behind the front bumper mount bolt that curves in and has a hole in it. It's meant to collapse in an impact. It's before that cross tube and it looks like you cut it out lol. So GM meant the frame to compress before the cross tube was shocked and that sensor was activated. Bolting the bumper to the tube could make it drastically more sensitive and easier to activate the airbags.


In my car I removed the airbags, so take this only as information to aid you in a decision. Not as any judgement.

[DutchTB]

Ok guys, thank you all. Thursday hopefully, we mount the bumper and see from there.

New pics are coming.

[DutchTB]

Bumpertime

[Grimor]

Looks interesting, I probably would of put another piece of tube on top at the ends to fill in between the bumper and fender. but without seeing it, that might of actually looked worse. is it hard to get the pin in for the front receiver?

[HARDTRAILZ]

Looks nice!

[bartonmd]

Looks good!

[DutchTB]

Yes, you are right about another piece of tube on top. It was something that came to me during construction, but I haven't been able to make it happen.

The pin is laying between the two tubes, and bend for easy access. No hard thing at all.

[Trail X]

Looks great! It came together faster than I've seen any other custom bumper!

[Moots1288]

except for Jasons rear bumper haha

[ErikSS]

I like it. I'm glad you were able to get it done!

[galacticfuzz]

Looks good. I dig it.

[maricard]

great job

[Jrgunn5150]

Do you know where this bracket came from? Did they make it there or purchase it somewhere?

[ErikSS]

Does it matter considering this rig is in the Netherlands? It does look like a bought piece but I would assume they bought it from someplace in Europe.

[Jrgunn5150]

Only in the sense that if I can I'd rather buy them for a few bucks versus impose on my friends with waterways or lasers

[v7guy]

Meh, a couple hole saws and a grinder could do the job too

[Jrgunn5150]

True