New grille guard added! Full size [Archive] - Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums

Jason B

10-18-2006, 07:32 PM

As Westin says about their guards, the same holds true here:

Taken from Westin's site:

Quote:

There is no conclusive or comprehensive data at this time regarding air bags deployment and opinions vary to say the least. Some vehicle manufacturers, most notably Ford, Nissan and GM offer a factory grille guard for some of their trucks, so you may be able to draw your own conclusions from that. We consider our guard a medium-strength guard, suitable for pushing a vehicle, but one that will crush in an accident.

hiPSI

10-19-2006, 05:25 AM

How does this affect airbag deployment?:confused:
arteegee, I don't have one of these although I do like the looks and am considering one. I know there is going to be some effect on the airbag operation, just don't know how much. I tend to think of things a little different than most people and here is my opinion of what COULD happen...imagine hitting a non-moving, non-flexing wall at 55 mph. Say a concrete wall 10 ft thick. Will there be any difference between a truck with a guard vs a truck without? I think the kinetic energy of the truck crushing against the wall is the same. The only difference is the truck is going to hit the wall a little faster because the brush guard sticks out in front oh, say 3 inches. At 55 mph, that 3 inches is not much. That guard will not help you in that kind of impact..it will crush just like anything else. I know the timing of the airbag deploying is critical, but imagine this...If you hit something perfectly head on, there is a fixed distance between the front bumper and you. If you could then imagine that your truck is skidding and the right front corner of the truck is going to strike this wall first then the distance is greater between the inital impact and you the driver. It also matters where your driver's seat is adjusted. So, how would this guard effect the airbag deployment? I think there is a perfect balance to how well the airbag will protect the driver. I also think that protection degrades as you get away from that "perfect" balance. I know that at 6'4" and 250 lb, I am already out of that perfect balance. I know also that my seat is further back than optimal because of my size. So, my mass is greater and my head has further to travel before it strikes the airbag than a 150 lb person that stands 5'8". Will the airbag still protect me? Probably. As good? I don't know. This is the same as adding something like a brush guard. Will the airbag still deploy? Probably. Will it protect me just as good? I don't know. My point is there are many many many factors that effect performance of safety equipment in a wreck. Hitting a fictional 10 ft thick concrete wall is the worst case because that wall won't give or crumple...your truck has to absorb all the kenetic energy. If you hit another vehicle the other vehicle will "cushion" the impact. So, in my opinion, there are too many factors to determine if the brush guard will effect the airbag deployment. Hope this helps and gives you some points to ponder.


Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums > ROC specials from our Sponsors & Advertisers > Burtman Industries > New grille guard added! Full size PDA New grille guard added! Full size Jason B 10-18-2006, 05:46 PM Special pricing. http://www.burtmanindustries.com/zoomprod.php?id=ridg_ggrilleguard http://www.burtmanindustries.com/gallery/images/ridg_ggrille_close.jpg arteegee 10-18-2006, 05:53 PM How does this affect airbag deployment?:confused: Jason B 10-18-2006, 07:32 PM As Westin says about their guards, the same holds true here: Taken from Westin's site: Quote: There is no conclusive or comprehensive data at this time regarding air bags deployment and opinions vary to say the least. Some vehicle manufacturers, most notably Ford, Nissan and GM offer a factory grille guard for some of their trucks, so you may be able to draw your own conclusions from that. We consider our guard a medium-strength guard, suitable for pushing a vehicle, but one that will crush in an accident. hiPSI 10-19-2006, 05:25 AM How does this affect airbag deployment?:confused: arteegee, I don't have one of these although I do like the looks and am considering one. I know there is going to be some effect on the airbag operation, just don't know how much. I tend to think of things a little different than most people and here is my opinion of what COULD happen...imagine hitting a non-moving, non-flexing wall at 55 mph. Say a concrete wall 10 ft thick. Will there be any difference between a truck with a guard vs a truck without? I think the kinetic energy of the truck crushing against the wall is the same. The only difference is the truck is going to hit the wall a little faster because the brush guard sticks out in front oh, say 3 inches. At 55 mph, that 3 inches is not much. That guard will not help you in that kind of impact..it will crush just like anything else. I know the timing of the airbag deploying is critical, but imagine this...If you hit something perfectly head on, there is a fixed distance between the front bumper and you. If you could then imagine that your truck is skidding and the right front corner of the truck is going to strike this wall first then the distance is greater between the inital impact and you the driver. It also matters where your driver's seat is adjusted. So, how would this guard effect the airbag deployment? I think there is a perfect balance to how well the airbag will protect the driver. I also think that protection degrades as you get away from that "perfect" balance. I know that at 6'4" and 250 lb, I am already out of that perfect balance. I know also that my seat is further back than optimal because of my size. So, my mass is greater and my head has further to travel before it strikes the airbag than a 150 lb person that stands 5'8". Will the airbag still protect me? Probably. As good? I don't know. This is the same as adding something like a brush guard. Will the airbag still deploy? Probably. Will it protect me just as good? I don't know. My point is there are many many many factors that effect performance of safety equipment in a wreck. Hitting a fictional 10 ft thick concrete wall is the worst case because that wall won't give or crumple...your truck has to absorb all the kenetic energy. If you hit another vehicle the other vehicle will "cushion" the impact. So, in my opinion, there are too many factors to determine if the brush guard will effect the airbag deployment. Hope this helps and gives you some points to ponder.