posted 02-02-2005 06:35 PM                  

The point of impact appears to be to the right of center. The bumper would have diverted the load to the side avoiding placing 100% of the load on the control arms. The car was probably totaled because the frame was damaged.

I'd like to understand more about the collision to see if my theory holds water. if it does, the owner should be very thankful that their insurance company paid the bill.

Let the hate mail begin!

posted 02-02-2005 07:36 PM                  

..looking at these cars, I can see them being a total from just about any angle in which they take a substantial hit, too many fragile, expensive parts.... and considering the wholesale value today, from an insurance companies point of view, anything over $12-15K in damage(maybe less) and the cars are done for anyway....

....my biggest fear is getting hit broadside in one of them....one more automotive head injury of any degree will probably be my last, my head is held together with duct tape now....

...safety wise....bumpers on, bumpers off....really don't see much difference.....

...looks wise.....first thing I do with a new Kat is drop the bumpers

posted 02-02-2005 07:53 PM                  

It would help if you stopped beating your head against the wall. lol
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posted 02-02-2005 08:28 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by tangled up in BLUE:
Originally posted by RPL:

It would help if you stopped beating your head against the wall. lol
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...just in the morning, when I wake up and see Cookie is still at home

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THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted 02-02-2005 09:27 PM                  

They would definately have caused the car to rotate and greatly reduced the chances of the suspension damage to the front end...simple laws of inertia.

I can't speak to the potential of the frame damage from the bumper mounts as I don't know enough about the aluminum frames.

From years of investigating accidents, I wouldn't even consider taking off the bumpers on a car that is frequently driven. If you have a 5 year old car with 1,500 miles on it that sits around and looks good...well...maybe then the slight risk of collision would be less of a factor.

Just my 2 cents worth...

posted 02-02-2005 09:55 PM                  

Now insurance I'm not sure of. If damage is more extensive because you modified a car, the insurance co shouldn't have to pay the full freight, however they shouldn't get off scott free either because there would still be, in all liklihood, extensive damage anyway.

posted 02-02-2005 10:23 PM                  

Minor impact (5-10mph)straight on, little or no damage beyond the bumper itself.
Same impact but contact outboard of the turn signal, bumper would bend around, possibly into wheel.

Medium impact (11-30)straight on, possible damage to the shock towers and of course the bumpers.
Contact outboard of the signal, bumper would bend around into wheel.

Impact over 30mph straight on, definite frame damage in the shock tower region but quicker reaction of the air bags.
Outboard of the signals, forget it!

I'm no collision expert but have machined,cut welded and braced many projects both automotive and industrial over the past 30 years to form my own educated opinion as to how they may react when impacted.

Personaly I prefer the bumpers removed for the classic Hot rod look.

posted 02-03-2005 08:20 AM                  

From what he told me he was in a center turn lane making a left hand turn, the car coming the other way had his blinker on to make a left turn also, he was about a 1/3 of the way thru his turn and the other car did not make a turn broad sided him at around 30MPH.

posted 02-03-2005 11:51 AM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by ed monahan:
Don't feel bad MeanCat. A lot of people cannot tell RPL and me apart. We look alike, almost like twins. lol

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OK,OK,My mistake I'm always getting you two confuesed.You look so much alike.

posted 02-03-2005 06:34 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by MDProwler:
After taking a hard look at both the bumper and it's construction and the mounting points on the car I would have to conclude the following:

Minor impact (5-10mph)straight on, little or no damage beyond the bumper itself.
Same impact but contact outboard of the turn signal, bumper would bend around, possibly into wheel.

Medium impact (11-30)straight on, possible damage to the shock towers and of course the bumpers.
Contact outboard of the signal, bumper would bend around into wheel.

Impact over 30mph straight on, definite frame damage in the shock tower region but quicker reaction of the air bags.
Outboard of the signals, forget it!

I'm no collision expert but have machined,cut welded and braced many projects both automotive and industrial over the past 30 years to form my own educated opinion as to how they may react when impacted.

Personaly I prefer the bumpers removed for the classic Hot rod look.

I don't believe that Red one is as bad as it looks. Repair the upper control arm mount and the rest is bolt on. I bid on it but not high enough. Oh well, there will be others.

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I don't know exactly how you reached your numbers and conclusions, but even Chrysler states on the window sticker that the bumpers are rated for a 2.5mph collision. With that in mind, I took mine off. They're a US legal technicality, nothing more. Sure in the 'right' accident, at the right angle of impact/speed/etc, they might save your a$$, but my bet is they're there to meet US standards, that's it.