Thread: Dangerous modifications. What’s your mind set?

This is to keep other threads from being contaminated!.

I read the build threads on this site and find many of them truly works of art. High quality workmanship, fantastic eye for detail etc.

And then there are those modifications, you know the ones... ADRs won’t like them, your local Constabulary may well frown upon them etc etc.

These tend to fall into a few categories:
1) Engineerable - well thought out, safe, sensible. A quick engineers check, some $ over the counter and all good.

2) Questionable! Poorly executed, impacts handling, performance etc things like huge wheels on stock brakes, ridiculous lift kits that make the vehicle handle like a Hippo giving a lap dance, let alone make an emergency manoeuvre.

3) Potentially fatal... There have been a few of these over the years. And the owner / constructors seem to be willing to take huge risks, both to themselves and others around them.

A common example is custom fabricated / non-SRS tested / non complianced Front Bar work:

Now, some of this work is phenomenal, top quality, great designs, you name it. But what doesn’t get considered is what happens in an impact - Off AND On road.

Off road, that stump or rock could now trigger the bags unexpectedly.
On road, in a collision, it could change the crash pulse with one of 3 scenarios - all potentially fatal.
(1) bags don’t deploy, inertia belts don’t retract.

(2) Bags deploy early, occupants have only just begun to lurch forward and the bags are already in deflation and provide no safety restrain.

(3) *this one really hurts* the bags deploy late... I can’t stress how dangerous this really is...
SRS systems deploy with the force of a military claymore - yes - that explosive, and that powerful.
It’s the reason (primarily) women or those with shorter legs and sit closer - often end up with broken ribs in an event resulting in bag deployment. SRS have also punctured lungs, broken jaws and noses.

If your loved one sits closer than needed to safely control the vehicle; ask them to adjust their seating position - it may just save their life.

And if you have a passenger that likes to do feet on the dash - DONT... without bags it’s highly risky, with them deadly.

Who here would drive with a Claymore attached face up on the steering wheel? We see collisions everywhere everyday. What makes it unlikely to be you? If you’re that confident, Why do you have insurance?



Home modifiers can to some level test braking and handling. But none build a Bar and then crash for fun or to test it. How can you be sure it’s truly safe?

Which leads to Duty of Care etc... let’s see what scares you more
If you crash, and the compliant bar was fitted, the bags may not trigger (insufficient velocity/decel etc) and you may be able to steer out the collision. What happens if the untested bar triggers the bag, taking hands off the wheel and making a mild accident worse.

Or the “would you like to work for me?” Scenario.

Legally - you’re no longer insured, or allowed to have that vehicle on the road.
So you have a collision (even if it’s not your fault - it is now because your non-roadworthy vehicle shouldn’t be there).
What’s worse - you broke your nose and ribs, and those of your passenger - and insurance won’t cover the bills, or pay for ongoing treatment.
Then you realise you hit a top end Euro, your insurance is void and you now owe several years wages to the other driver. Except they want their money now - so you lose your other cars, toys, house, savings... and in that impact you broke the passengers leg and ribs - so you’re being sued for the injuries and ongoing medical issues.

Yes it does happen. I’ve seen it happen. I know assessor who look for this sort of thing.

Is your life, your families, or ANY other persons life worth a non-tested bit of steel fabrication (in this case)?


Please think before you lose sight of the REAL risks.

You wouldn’t drive with that Claymore on your wheel and the trigger across the front bumper as a trip wire. So why would you treat the SRS system with such contempt?

For your viewing pleasure: (only difference is these fools don’t have it in front of them whilst driving)
YouTube

Originally Posted by Eevo

great, go get an engineering cert for it and put us all at ease.

Whilst I agree, let’s keep to general discussion please.

Why do people perceive certain risks as “non-critical”.

An example: I never want the potential to be sued and lose everything I’ve worked towards in my life. Or be saddled with debt going forward should something go awry.

Hence all my builds have been certified and plated where required.