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Jeep Wrangler

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#22746 of 23393 Deactivate Airbag for Off-Roading? by jimlw2

May 17, 2007 (3:13 pm)

Can anyone offer advice on whether you should deactivate the airbags while off-roading in a Wrangler and/or if it's even possible? I assumed a fuse could be pulled but haven't looked through my ower's manual, yet.
 
I thought of it only after taking my 2005 Unlimited to Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Western Michigan overlooking Lake Michigan in April. It was only 20 degrees so sand had blown over sections of frozen snow/ice in areas of shadows formed by the dunes. I had to keep my speed high enough to keep forward motion and sometimes the weight of my Jeep would crush down through the upper crust of sand and my Wrangler would violently pitch-pole through those ice/snow pockets. One notable time I got stuck after what felt like my brain was going to pop out of my head...it was a pretty violent pitch-pole effect where my front bumper had to have impacted multiple times on hard-pack sand/ice/snow in a wrenching fast-stop as I high-centered on spikes of ice/sand. I got out to find myself walking on what looked like upside down ice cream cones anywhere from 12" to 18" long and felt like concrete...very treacherous and I was convinced I'd have under-carriage damage but to Jeep's credit, I couldn't visually find any damage and after over a month of daily driving since that day, she behaves like those episodes never happened. Took her back when weather was more "dune-like"...well, Michigan "dune-like" which was in the 60s/70s...Conditions were much "softer" and far more enjoyable than that first cold blustery attempt to hit the dunes a bit too early.
 
Anyway, thinking back, I'm amazed the airbags didn't deploy with those forward bumper smacks. Made me realize I better understand how to deactivate the airbags for future off-roading so as not to inadvertently explode $700-$1,500 or more out of my wallet. Granted, most off-roading shouldn't be done with such speed to cause such violent hits to the front bumper but again, with sand dunes, you have to get a good head of steam going to chug up the steep slopes or you're not going to crest the tops...along the way, ruts in the sand can make things a bit choppy.
 
Forgive me if this has been discussed in past posts...I scanned through about five pages of 'airbag' references in a forum search but didn't see it if it's there.

#22747 of 23393 The Tomster Checkin' In by tsjay

May 17, 2007 (6:20 pm)

Hi Peeps!
 
I'm not sure why I stopped by, but it could be that my ears were burning. I see that I have not been forgotten around here; some folks have asked about me. That makes me feel good.
 
Bamatazz, I see that you have just checked back in, too. Good to hear from you!
 
Hello to all of the rest of my old friends here. I have not forgotten you guys.
 
I still have Thelma Jane, but she has become pretty much just a trail rig. I don't even spray her off after wheelin' any more, and she is showing her many, many miles of wheelin'. She has bent, dented, and scratched fenders, busted flares, and an interior that will never come clean. I hardly ever drive her, except to go to Turkey Bay.
 
I don't wheel every weekend any more. It's partly due to gas prices, partly due to getting a little burned-out on it, and partly due to not having my Best Bud, Ross Allen, with me any more.
 
I have my new dog, Hank, or "Henry Louis," as I call him when I am being silly, and he is a blessing to me. He loves to go Jeepin' just about as much as Rossie Pup did. I'm not without a wheelin' buddy, and I enjoy having Hank along with me when I go.
 
God bless.
 
Tomster
 

 
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#22748 of 23393 Re: Deactivate Airbag for Off-Roading? [jimlw2] by mac24

May 17, 2007 (6:26 pm)

Replying to: jimlw2 (May 17, 2007 3:13 pm)
Anyway, thinking back, I'm amazed the airbags didn't deploy with those forward bumper smacks. Made me realize I better understand how to deactivate the airbags for future off-roading so as not to inadvertently explode $700-$1,500 or more out of my wallet.
 
My suggestion would be to focus on your health and well being rather than your wallet. I've never heard of an uncalled for airbag deployment offroad.
 
Assuming that the description of your violents impact was accurate, consider it a love tap compared to what you would have felt if you'd hit hard enough to ignite the bag.
 
Bottom line, if your airbag inflates, offroad or on, it's because you need it to save you from injury. If you'd prefer it from the financial perspective, it doesn't take long to run up more than the cost of an airbag in the Emergency Room.
 
Yes, you can disconnect your airbags, though it's not as simple a pulling a fuse. I think you'd be crazy to do it, so I'll let someone else explain the procedure if they want to.

#22749 of 23393 Re: The Tomster Checkin' In [tsjay] by mac24

May 17, 2007 (6:29 pm)

Replying to: tsjay (May 17, 2007 6:20 pm)
She has bent, dented, and scratched fenders, busted flares, and an interior that will never come clean
 
Guess I need to dig out that 'paper towel' post!

#22750 of 23393 Re: The Tomster Checkin' In [tsjay] by tidester

May 17, 2007 (8:37 pm)

Replying to: tsjay (May 17, 2007 6:20 pm)
I'm not sure why I stopped by ...
 
You stopped by because Jeepin' is in your blood and you miss gabbing with your Jeep buds! The obvious solution is to visit more often.
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#22751 of 23393 Re: The Tomster Checkin' In [tsjay] by goducks1

May 18, 2007 (4:23 am)

Replying to: tsjay (May 17, 2007 6:20 pm)
Hey Tom! Good to see you again! That's a happy looking dog.

#22752 of 23393 Re: The Tomster Checkin' In [tsjay] by mac24

May 18, 2007 (8:18 am)

Replying to: tsjay (May 17, 2007 6:20 pm)
Hey Tom, I just checked and it's almost exactly six years since that 'paper towel' post (April '01). Lots of water under under the bridge since then, some good some bad. I know it's been the same for you.
 
I can't get over how alike Hank is to a dog I used to have. It's uncanny. Anyhow, for those that weren't here six years ago, here's a link to TOM'S PAPER TOWEL POST. Compare it to the one he just made!

#22753 of 23393 Re: The Tomster Checkin' In [mac24] by tsjay

May 18, 2007 (9:15 am)

Replying to: mac24 (May 18, 2007 8:18 am)
Yeah, Mac, things do change, don't they?
 
I enjoyed having Thelma Jane in pristine condition, but the fun of getting her out on the trails is well worth the dents and scratches. That's what she was made for.
 
Hank is a great little dog. I love him a lot, and he makes me a real good Jeepin' buddy.
 
No matter how much I love Hank, though, I will always miss my Rossie Pup. It was on September 19, 2005, that I said goodbye to him, and over a year and a half later, I still cry over him sometimes. I'm just not the same person without him.
 
For those who never knew my Puppy, here's a link to the website I made for him.
 
http://home.earthlink.net/~tsjay53/
 
Thanks for digging up that "paper towel" post. That is FUNNY!
 
Tomster

#22754 of 23393 Hello TOM by bamatazz1

May 18, 2007 (2:30 pm)

Good seeing ya again Tom, Ive very soory to hear about Ross Allen, knew how specail he was to you.
  Wow, is that Thelma Jane.. looks like a work horse now all the bumps & brusies. Tazz is still in great shape.
Having some problems with fading on the hood. Im about to get that all fixed.
  Last year my wife backed into Tazz, backing out of the garage. Bent the fender flares & broke the fog lights. But got that all fixed too.
  Im still to my word..Tazz has never seen mud. Gets a bath every saturday.
  Not many upgrades. I am running 31" All Terrian tires now.
And installed a new $1200 stereo..Im rockin now.
   I was offered $15,000 for Tazz few months ago..said no way..its all mine. Had him 6 years next month only have 57000 miles on him as of today.
 
I'll try to get pics posted soon
   Keep Jeepin
    Bama

#22755 of 23393 Re: Deactivate Airbag for Off-Roading? [mac24] by jimlw2

May 18, 2007 (2:33 pm)

Replying to: mac24 (May 17, 2007 6:26 pm)
Thanks for your usual cut-to-the-bone answer, Mac. Your posts often make me go "oh yeah, stupid" (meaning myself in the stupid reference that is). I'm actually more than happy to leave the airbags up and ready in hopes they'll never be needed. Just hit me that maybe I was missing some "newbie" mistake by NOT deactivating them when off-roading. A coworker of mine who frequents the dunes more than I do implied "newbies" often forget to pull those airbag fuses. I suspected that might not be the safest idea which is why I posted here to get another perspective...coming from you, I'll live with the chance I might have to dole out repair money for deployed airbags...Noting I said "live" since loss of airbag deployed or the entire Jeep as a loss for that matter if it means I might be around to try again. Thanks for priority check.

Messages Page 2276 of 2340

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