Aluminum crash bumper

[Bud92gsx]

Anyone ever thought of making an aluminum crash bumper for 1g's?

It would save a few pounds, and still hold up in the event you hit something..

If I had the equipment I would try this out..

 

[Hal]

JMFab offers a bumper support that replaces the bar

 

[silicosys4]

Bad idea, but better than no crash bar at all. The problem is, any company offering a replacement crash bar, aluminum or not, is immediately assuming MASSIVE liability lawsuit risks. Aluminum isn't anywhere as strong as steel, structurally, so its use as a "crash" bar would be mute, your fmic is going to do the same thing as an aluminum crash bar would. The one JMfab makes isn't a crash bar per say, its to hold the bumper in shape so it doesn't sag when the crash bar is removed. It offers no structural support.

 

[GSLENK]

Im with ^^^^ I dont see that little 3"x1/4" sheet aluminum doing the suggested job as crash bar...

I believe its listed as bumper SUPPORT, which better explains its purpose. It also makes a FMIC one step closer to a bolt on, However Id rather just go with cutting the oem crash bar like I did. It supports the bumper and somewhat looks stable than the other options.

Also I was at a meet the other night (saw ZERO DSMs BTW. not even a rice DSM ) and I got to talking to this dude and he was like "Insurance wont cover damage if you get into an accident without a crash bar under your bumper"

 

[Bud92gsx]

Blah..Insurance won't cover if their is no crash bumper.....Thats why I wanted a crash bumper, but possible one that is aluminum...

Yes you could just cut the steel crash bumper..

 

[GSLENK]

the jmfab is probably the way to go then. it costs like $190 I would imagine the oem is more expensive unless pulled from a JY if you are lucky enough to find one.

 

[silicosys4]

I don't think an aluminum "custom" replaced crash bar would fly any better with an insurance company than no crash bar at all, ...any excuse to deny a claim.
Besides, if the insurance company won't pay out on a car because of the crash bar being removed, do you think they will pay to cover that fmic, big turbo, injectors, engine mgt, etc... if you still have that crash bar? Insurance for our cars is just so we don't get tickets or sued, not to recover our losses.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Yes I would be a way to deny the claim..But then again It could save a few pounds..But then again, If you wanted it just for weight reduction...Take out the crash bars..And only drive offroad..

 

[silicosys4]

for a street driven car, those 20lbs for the crash bar are completely liveable. If I've still got glass windows, I'll still have my crash bar. There are too many other ways to ditch 20lbs that don't endanger your life.

 

[Bud92gsx]

I've got some weight reduction..But not enough..

 

[silicosys4]

Not enough for what?

 

[GSLENK]

I can see that. But its still something that might pass through a sucker. I vote better than nothing, even if only marginally better.

But maybe you want to paint it black at least... Some shiny bumper support is gonna scream race/rice car to them. They WILL DO ANYTHING to get off the foot of the bill. Trust me (actually i know you already know) insurance companies = total huge scumsack/cumbags.

No offense to anyone who works in that indusrty... whatever puts food on the table man.

 

[talonracer12]

I forgot who makes it but I have an aluminum crash bumper. I know it isnt going to hold up in a crash but my car is mainly a track car anyway. I will find out the name but they do not make it anymore, I beleive I was one of the last people to buy one from the company before they stopped making it and that was back in 2002. I will find out who makes it.

Eric

 

[talonracer12]

Dejon used to make the 1g aluminum front bumper support/crash beam but they do not make it anymore. Hope this was a little bit helpful.

Seach for Dejon 1g front bumper on google or yahoo and you can see pics.

Eric

 

[Bud92gsx]

Not enough for what?

To have less weight so my large frame, doesn't make the car super slow..

 

[-red97rum-]

Insurance isn't going to give you crap anyway for a 1G.. It's sad but true.

 

[Bud92gsx]

I'll pay extra to insure a 20 year old car..

 

[wishihadatalon]

Bad idea, but better than no crash bar at all. The problem is, any company offering a replacement crash bar, aluminum or not, is immediately assuming MASSIVE liability lawsuit risks. Aluminum isn't anywhere as strong as steel, structurally, so its use as a "crash" bar would be mute, your fmic is going to do the same thing as an aluminum crash bar would. The one JMfab makes isn't a crash bar per say, its to hold the bumper in shape so it doesn't sag when the crash bar is removed. It offers no structural support.

Advertised as "off-road use only" and I think the term you are looking for is moot, not mute.

 

[1SLOW93TURBO]

I plan on making a chromoly front replacement bumper support. It's very light and strong and will "help" should an accident happen. Simply a 1 3/4" tubing in the shape of the bumper and will support it from sagging like the JMF.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Chromoly would make a great lightweight bumper support...If you could make it oem width, that might"help" during a crash..

Definatly not going to be as beefy as the oem steel one..Might also be beffier than even an aluminum plate oem width.......

And light..But it also make be pretty expensive..

 

[123abc]

Sounds like a waste of time. Keep it, or ditch it. That bar is only good under 10 mph anyway, I think they're even called 5 mph crash bars?

 

[1SLOW93TURBO]

The crash bar does more than simply protect from accidents! It also ties both frame rails together which lessens chassis flex! That was one of the 3 reasons I wanted one. 1 being a chassis frame to frame bar for strength, 2 being sort of a crash bar and 3 to support the bumper to minimize sagging.

 

[99gst214]

Sounds like a waste of time. Keep it, or ditch it. That bar is only good under 10 mph anyway, I think they're even called 5 mph crash bars?

Ya you should look at some photos of crashes. A vehicle with the crash bar removed or no crash bar, will buckle the car right down the middle. With the crash bar installed in helps distribute the inertia away from the driver, or around the cabin. They dont design a crash bar to make your car invinsible to an accident. It is there to help you survive a high speed collision, not your car.

To the OP, If it is to get around insurance policy, just throw a bar on there and call it good. If your number one priority is saftey, then look for a stronger material over aluminum. Chromoly would be better, but in this case steel is your best bet. And its not that much weight for the security and piece of mind. Just my thoughts!

 

[T is for TURBO]

for a street driven car, those 20lbs for the crash bar are completely liveable. If I've still got glass windows, I'll still have my crash bar. There are too many other ways to ditch 20lbs that don't endanger your life.

1g crash bars weight that much? On a 2g they weigh practically nothing, as it's just thick piece of molded platic. It's been awhile sice I've lifted it, but I'd say it weighs less than 10lbs.
But as said above, the crash bar (or bumber reinforcement bar according to the service manual) is meant for low speed impact to prevent more expensive damage. If your going 50mph in a 2g and hit another car, that plastic crash bar is just going to shatter or crack.

From the NHTSA
From the IIHS

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

the jmfab is probably the way to go then. it costs like $190 I would imagine the oem is more expensive unless pulled from a JY if you are lucky enough to find one.

Here is an even cheaper, lighter, and more useful option (at least for 1ga's): http://www.dsmtuners.com/classifieds/freelancer-products-services-10/1ga-quick-release-bumper-kit-23724/ (watch the video)

1g crash bars weight that much?

It's actually more like 30 lbs. On a 1g it is entirely metal. Here is a picture of mine with the insides exposed: