Thread: Bull bar for a classic with air bags

I think anything new would be long gone, but a D1 airbag bullbar should fit but stick out a bit.
Try Triumph Rover Spares as they have a few bullbars listed on their site.
Regards Philip A

You might be stuck. I had a new 'non-compatible' ARB bar fitted to my 94 airbag vehicle (ARB don't make a compatible bar). The dealer wasn't entirely happy but he did say it was legal, I simply had to be aware that the airbags may not function as intended. The issue ( I think) is that bullbar spreads the impact across a greater part of the chassis and the deceleration detectors might not trigger the bag at the same point or at all. In theory its really an issue for middle range impacts so there's also a trade off in the greater protection a bar gives you. Due to animals ( I get a 'roo strike about every month) a bar is a bit of a non-negotiable. Looks great !!

sorry , should have mentioned....I'd avoid modding a bar unless you're very skilled or an engineer, you're likely to end up with the worst of all worlds i.e a bar that doesn't provide impact protection and doesn't 'work' with your airbags ( goes off to soon or not at all)

There may be legal, financial and insurance implications for the owner and/or driver if a non SRS bar is fitted to an SRS equipped vehicle and there is an accident and people are hurt or worse.

Re non SRS bullbars - Have the airbags removed. Having been in an airbag deployment accident in a commodore I can tell you, once they deploy, it's goodnight irene for any further driver inputs. It's like being punched in the face by mike tyson. So if you want to keep steering/braking after you've done in that big grey(s) with your sexy ARB, get rid of 'em. Otherwise, enjoy the potential trip into the scenery! Just ask Dodi and Di if you're not quite following my tip.

Thanks TPKTC,
- I must be getting ol.... ahem, too experienced, as I missed that completely.
- The best reason yet to get rid of my (built mid 94) Classic's ridiculously tiny and mis-shapen steering wheel. !

Apart from being too small, the rim in plain round in section, not the superior, odd-shaped inclined one used on the series 2 Land Rover Pajero (sorry, "Disco"....)

The only reason to be that small, is to give the impression that the interior is larger than it is... well, that's my theory!

If I keep the car.... the steering wheel has to go, along with the airbag. And now that you've mentioned it, keeping control of the vehicle after impact (severe enough to deploy) is not a bad idea.... Even the tiniest amount could mean a significant differance.

Anyway, as I've got an unbranded aftermarket bull-bar, there's no guarantee that the SRS will function perfectly.

As GMH found out some years ago, airbags shift the balance of serious / Fatal results toward the 'FATAL' end, that is, less serious outcomes (enforced stay in an ICU) but more deaths.
The same, identical model without airbags, had less fatalities, but more serious and cosmetic injuries.

Without waffling on, it all hinges on 'Human Nature'. Without a bag(s) folk drove a bit more sensibly, taking fewer risks, - especially at higher speeds.
But, WITH bags, the temptation to take risks, speed, or both was greater because " the 'bag' would save me".

My passenger is welcome to the bag (if it works properly!) but I'd rather have a bigger and more precise wheel so I can point the car - and KEEP it - exactly where I want it, with less tension, distraction and fatigue.

My own feeling is to fit a bull-bar, don't worry about modding it, even unplug the driver's bag (and the SRS warning lamp!) if you're worried about being face-whacked prematurely!!!

Where I live in Gosnells, I would see between 2 and 10 'roos per week to/from work, and maybe a couple per month ON the road.


James the Luddite

95 Classic Vogue with working EAS, and two Amigo's now... ABS & SRS.

Grumbles,

Yours is a valid point, there certainly WOULD be insurance issues, raised by them in looking for an excuse to *not* pay our fully, if at all.

In my case, seeing as I'm the only driver of my toy its a non-issue. Driving comfort and control every moment I'm travelling is far more important to Safely than the odd time I may need an airbag....

But my seatbelt is always properly fitted etc.

Grumpy James in Gosnells

Originally Posted by superquag

Thanks TPKTC,

My own feeling is to fit a bull-bar, don't worry about modding it, even unplug the driver's bag (and the SRS warning lamp!) if you're worried about being face-whacked prematurely!!!

I could be wrong, I probably am, but I remember reading somewhere that if the srs fault light is on it disables the system, hence if you unplug a bag, the other one wont deploy as the system is in a fault state.

kinda hope not though...