Back when I had my 1995 Dakota, I hit a little 1980s Chevrolet cavalier-sized car (can't recall the exact model) from behind. My front driver's brake had failed (no pad left). Thats a long story unto itself where my grandfather, a long time mechanic, said it was fine when it wasn't. I won't go into that.
Anyway, exited the interstate onto an off ramp, it was wet (been lightly raining all day), and wet plus no pad means I couldn't stop. Hit that car doing approximately 45 mph.
My airbags did not deploy. Even though I had literally put his trunk into his back seat, the ol' Dakota only needed new front headlights, grille, bumper, and hood latch. The radiator was a little scraped, but other than that, untouched.
The airbags go off after a certain amount of "crunching" takes place.
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Vehicle: Ram 1500 4x4 5.9 auto reg cab 8ft bed Cherry bomb muffler k&n intake.
Location: Malvern Pa
Posts: 5,967
uhh. you got me jason. They should have popped. I did fins this. On wikipedia,
"Airbags became common in the 1980s, with Chrysler and Ford introducing them in the mid-1980s; it was Chrysler that made them standard equipment across its entire line in 1990 (except for trucks until 1995). Airbags were not mandatory on light trucks until 1995"
Let's talk physics for a second. Did either of you have this in high school or college?
Let me pose the first question: What is the purpose of the airbag?
Purpose: To deploy upon impact with a speed great enough to allow it to become fully inflated to save the driver extreme injury. With me so far?
Now, let's get to the physics: When an object is moving forward, where is the inertia going to be? If the object isn't accelerating, there will be zero (0) inertia present. When the object impacts a stationary object, Where is inertia going to be then? It's going to follow the same direction that the object was traveling before sudden impact. So, if you are in a head on collision, the "dash shards" will be faced forward.
Since the air bag sensors are in the front end only, this eliminates the theory of side or rear impact.
Considering that the average automotive air bag will deploy in .10 seconds or less, There is a better chance of watching the moon fall out of the sky tonight before your theory becomes true.
Now bring the flames!
I suggest you do the practical testing and write a report of your findings. Use your own truck.
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2000 Dodge RAM 2500 Sport SLT+ Quad Cab 4X4, 8.0 V10, 4.10 gears, Borla SS Headers, Edelbrock muffler, K&N CAI, KYB Shocks, Hell Bent 2" Level Kit, 17" American Racing Wheels (Baja), factory camper/towing pkgs, WAAG Sidesteps, member White Truck Club #87
uhh. you got me jason. They should have popped. I did fins this. On wikipedia,
"Airbags became common in the 1980s, with Chrysler and Ford introducing them in the mid-1980s; it was Chrysler that made them standard equipment across its entire line in 1990 (except for trucks until 1995). Airbags were not mandatory on light trucks until 1995"
They should not have popped.
The damage to my truck was no where near fatality causing, let alone causing any injury besides a bit of neck soreness from the sudden deceleration. The engine was untouched.
Air bags only deploy when the crunch sensors (front ones are typically on or behind the front frame rail or metal bumper (for cars with plastic up front)) are activated. Or also when the car suddenly decelerates. There are advanced sensors typically mounted in the passenger compartment that detect a vehicles forward g's, lateral g's, and the tilt of the body. This data is sent to the SRS computer to help determine what the car is doing. If the sensors say the vehicle is cruising at 70MPH, then is suddenly going 0, the air bags will deploy. If you combine more crash sensors for side and rear, more or other air bags (such as side curtain or seat mounted ones) can be deployed to better protect the occupants based on impact speed and direction. Air bags are intended to prevent your torso and head from impacting with the steering wheel, just as head rests are there so your neck doesn't wrap around the seat back. However, if an air bag were to go off for you bumping into the car in front of you while parking at Wal-Mart, they would do more damage than good. Air bags deploy at amazing speed and slam into your face causing rashes and bruises. Also, the gas used to inflate them can asphexiate you.
But yes, the dashboard pieces, along with whatever crap is laying on your console or in your hand, will contine to travel forward (away from you) when the truck stops.
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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Club Cab 4x4 Laramie SLT
318, 46RE, 231HD, 9.25 w/ 3.55, Dana 44
Black Truck Club #146
Laramie you are right, earlier I talked about the business side of the issue, didn't even think about the odds of the event even happening. Truthfully, if it was possible to happen, it already would have. I don't think it's likely at all. Seems like someone is trying to get a new dash....but with the age of these trucks, give up on any recalls at this point.
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2001 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 5.9 Laramie SLT, Magnaflow cat back, 14x3, Alpine/Infinity/Kicker System. Tint, 17" Off Road Rims, Bilsteins. 3815, fastman 52mm. Near Future: Repaint the lower stripe, high flow cat.
