Winch bumper for SRS vehicle

[mark.griffith]

I want to build myself a winch bumper for my 98 Isuzu bighorn (because I dont want to drop 2K on and ARB bar) but it is fitted with airbags and I hear that it needs to be airbag compatible. but I have also read that if it is just a bumper replacement (does not have bull bar tubes going up in front of the body) then none of the bullbar rules apply. Can anybody comment on this? I dont want to go ahead and build something that has to come off at the first WOF.

Cheers,
Mark

[badnuz]

you will probably find you will need to get it crash tested etc etc $$$$$$.... the style isnt what the legalities cover, its the triggering of the airbag system. this is where the expense comes from purchasing an airbag compliant winch bar, be it ARB or whoever, where in NZ are you located?

[mark.griffith]

im in auckland. To be honest, I would be quite happy to disable the airbags entirely... but you can't do that either.

[coxsy]

for the trouble a ARB is well worth the money as cheap in 4x4 cost more in the long run

[Steve_t647]

I was told the airbag compatable bars are tested to not change the level of accident required for the triggering of the airbags.

So these bars are made strong but in a frontal accident will crush some to prevent minor accidents triggering the airbag (the bumper has to crush closer to the chassis before it will trigger the airbag)

Not sure if true but the engineering company I spoke to about SRS Airbag bars said they tried make one but hitting any rock pillar or car would trigger the sensors that deployed the airbag.

Just my 2c, after 10 years the airbags can be removed I think.

[juz]

I would be quite happy to disable the airbags entirely... but you can't do that either.

If its just a drivers airbag can take wheel off,put sports style wheel on.any sparky can put a plug on that runs the airbag system in a circuit.Makes the light go out after a few sec's when ignitions turned on.

[darinz]

I spoke to my engineer about this and you can remove the airbag but need a reason and must be lvvta certified. He said to me that if for motorsport then not a problem but could be tough if you are just doing it to save some money.

[Steve_t647]

Yes there must be a reason and saftey to stop triggering them offroad is not enough, they say that removal and re-installation of the fuse when offroad.

The role of the vehicle must change and the primary use must require the airbag disconnected this means you have to have a road log book.

I looked at this removal in depth and it was too hard the vehicle has to comply with the import rules for its year if used on the road 30% of the time.

If below 30% road use you can go through LVV and see what the certifier thinks but you may have to improve the safety features (4 point harness with safety markings and appropriate harness compliant seats) to match the level of occupant safety in the original vehicle.

[nuts]

just use my excuse ,,, the shock of deploying the airbag could give me a heart attak or cause me to run into someone coz i couldnt see passed the air bag