My Bronco isn't a death trap!!!

[Lola]

My Bronco isn't a death trap...is it?

I was wrestling with a new child seat this weekend when the spouse casually mentioned something along the lines of "well, if it rolls over you're all dead anyway". I was annoyed--I love my Bronco. But it is sort of top heavy and it is sort of made out of plastic. I don't offroad it, at least nothing beyond mud and snow, and if I roll my Bronco, it'll be the result of a traffic accident or a tire blowout on the highway.

A while back I was advised here to go for that roll cage, and I've been looking, but they all seem so intrusive for a family car--I can't be climbing over posts and things. What about just a bar? I dunno what I want here. I was so peeved at the dissing of my truck that I decided then and there to buy a new damn car/truck. Then I looked at the offerings of the Ford family of cars (we're employees, so we kinda have to go that way) and decided to look at roll bars seriously.

Soooo.....help me out here: what's the minimum you'd get, roll cage wise, to prevent squishage of front and back occupants in a rollover? I know serious Broncophiles like to roll their Broncos and drive them home afterwards, but I just don't want us all to die. If the Bronco doesn't make it, I'll get over it.

Has anyone seen a Bronco rolled (with roof) with just a single bar behind the front seats? Or with no roll bars?

And, while I'm trying to get that lined up, is it safe to assume that the best place for a baby in an unreinforced Bronco is in the front passenger seat?

Any general thoughts on tipping Broncos? Are they really even that prone to rolling in accidents?

Forgive my rambling...I just want to be able to keep my Bronco while being a responsible parent...I must be getting desperate! /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

(And, incidentally, does anyone know of a uhhh rollcage installer in the greater Detroit area?)

 

[bluesman17]

Ive seen a bronco rolled with the top on and no roll bars, it cracked the roof but wasnt that bad. Its not a plastic roof its fiberglass with steel slat renforcments. in MY opinion roll bars are a tad extreme for a daily driver that never has the top off. if youre concerned about rollovers take a driving course for 4x4s the bronco will roll but it will be out of driver error more than anything (highway use at least).

 

[Seabronc]

Any high center of gravity vehicle can be rolled with two rapid hard over jerks of the steering wheel in oposite directions. The Bronco is not as easily rolled as a SUV because it has a fairly wide wheel base which effectively lower the CG. Also if you have sway bars installed, that further adds to roll over prevention.

I personally wouldn't want to be in the rear seat of a Bronco if it rolled without a roll bar. I have seen several of them that have and as far as I could see anyone riding there would be dead. A baby on the other hand would be below the cap level so most likely protected by the quarter panels.

A roll cage is not normally seen on a street vehicle and takes a lot of front space. A roll bar on the ohter hand doesn't really interfear with passenger seating. The front posts mound about even with the front edge of the passenger seat and the rear supports mount on the wheel well. The cross bar is about where the cap and cab connect.

All I can say about the front passenger seat for baby is, some states don't allow baby seats to be installed there. Apparently they seem to think it is a hazardous place for a child seat.

Good luck,

>-

 

[bronconite]

Do you drive like an idiot or speed excessively with your baby in the car? Of course you don't. You probably don't drive your truck aggresively enough to roll it when you are by yourself, much less when you have baby on board. You tend to be as safe as possible when carrying loved ones. Sure, it will roll over easier than a '70 Lincoln or an '86 vette or an '06 minivan, but even those cars could be involved in a rollover under the right circumstances.Bottom line, I would have absolutly no problem putting a baby in the back of my Bronco and feel perefectly safe about it.

 

[Seabronc]

I tend to agree with Bronconite about the odds of rolling if you drive with normal care. However, a lot of rollovers with high center of gravity vehicles are due to a panic situation like trying to avoid something in the road or a vehicle in front of you suddenly stopping and then you over steering. A driver that is aware of what may happen can prevent getting into a rollover situation by controlling the steering. Ofcourse a lot of highway accidents are due to agressive driving, so drive safe and allow space between you and the vehicle infront of you.

Like I said, "**** to the left, **** to the right, rollover", the solution is, "don't do that".

Good luck,

>-

 

[Lola]

Thanks, y'all. I'm not worried about my driving of course...it's the other idiots out there (the OTHER "**** to the left, **** to the right").

As far as I can tell, child seats in the front are discouraged for two reasons: governments think drivers are too stupid to know if they have an airbag there and the back seat is usually furthest away from collision points and in theory safer.

Of course, when I was little, we went all over the country in a 4x4 with a fiberglass top, unbuckled, uncarseated, in homemade back seats, fighting all the way, and somehow we lived...society has turned me paranoid! Maybe I shpould just see about that recall before my house burns down.

/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[ocalabronco]

your in a truck. if somebody does something stupid in front of you, slam the brakes and keep the wheel straight. if you hit them, you hit them. at least your still right side up. while the top is not the strongest thing out there, its still pretty stout and will hold up to 1 or 2 rolls. just drive defensively. and tell your spouse no booty until he takes back what he said

 

[Lola]

mmmmmmmmmmkay.....maybe I'll compromise and get a rollbar. I don't want to get stuck with some gawdawful Explorer.

 

[silicon_bronco]

I have Two Boy's one 3yr and the other 18mo. I put them in the back w/car seat and tether straps as I have tether anchors installed in the bronco. I also have a roll bar at where the cap and cab connect, this is nice for topples driving in the summer time with a little added protection for the back seat passengers.

Over all I feel very safe in my bronco and would not hesitate to put my kid's in it.

LOL

ps.

I would worry more about neck/head damage in a roll over then the cap crushing in on me..

 

[Cocobum]

In all honesty, I drive my bronco like a sports car. I take turns at 40 mph and change 4 lanes on the highway in seconds and i haven't had any problems with swaying or even coming close to rolling.

My solution to your problem is preformance tires, i have these toyo tires and they are the best, I live in South Florida and drive in rain every day and i have not once hydroplaned.

http://www.toyo.com/tires/tire_lines/lightTruck_suv/st.html

How ever i noticed that you live in detroit, and i can't tell you how the tires handle on ice/snow because i have never driven in those conditions

I also agree with ocalabronco, just drive straight and don't make drastic turns. There is enough metal between you and the front bumber to where you don't have to worry about serious injury

 

[brian_n_texas]

Wasn't that "keep babies in the front seat" thing in regards to vehicles that have airbags? If you don't have an airbag then I would say that's a non-issue. However, depending on you local/state laws, you might not have a choice.

Anyhow, in regards to your roll bar concerns...I would put one at least over the back seat if you plan to have passengers much. The Bronco top can't possibly stand up to much during a rollover; I'm going to install what's called a "family cage" system, roll bars for the front and back. As far as bars on the sides - I'm thinking that give you more to grab hold of climbing in and out of the back seat!

Bottom line of my two cents here: you can never go wrong with improving the safety of vehicles, anything can happen. My son thinks it will be cool to watch how people react when they climb inside a roll cage and have to put on a 5-point safety harness!!

BNT

 

[Lola]

I do think a cage would be excessive...a bar would make me comfortable enough. I really don't drive like a maniac--too many years in an old Mercury sedan with extremely loose steering and no power brakes.

(A grab bar to get into the back seat! hah! I pity you tall people who can't just walk in!)

 

[bidibronco]

Just to put my two cents, I have a 2 month old son and I feel safer in my 94 driving down the highway concidering that most of the cars around me are smaller than I am. I don't bully other drivers but they don't have the option to bully me either. I agree about not swerving, if the stop that hard just hope that you're breaks are in good woking condition or you might just demolish another car/truck. Just remember that it's not a sports car. Also, I would rather be hit in my truck and deal with the damage then a little car that my just dissapear.

 

[4x4ever]

The bronco would do fine in rollover provided you have the top on. Your chance for avoiding injury are greater with the rollbar. Although the fiberglass top is lined with steel bars, it's still able to absorb some of the vehicles weight. I've seen a lot of highway accidents and the worst ones are with cars. Especially with the compact cars because there's not enough car to absorb the impact. I've seen more suv drivers walk away from collisions than those that drive cars, simply because there's more vehicle around you to protect you during the collision.

I feel safer driving my bronco than I do my ford ****** any day. Especailly when I have passengers with me. I also have a rollbar where the cab and top meet.

 

[Lola]

Well............so y'all agree it's not a death trap. Five outta 5 stars on frontal crash tests by NHTSA and all that.

My top isn't coming off. I have leather seats!

 

[bluesman17]

I have leather seats, as long as you give them some kind of conditioner for the sun theres nothing to worry about, its been rained in a few times too aside from bringing out the lovely smell of menthol from the previous owner it survived well

 

[Lola]

OK. I don't want to wrinkle. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Justshootme84]

Hey, Lola, looks like everyone gives great advice on the driving/safety issue. While I don't have a baby riding in the back seat, I am somewhat paranoid about the "other" driver that is wreckless. I've had several friends roll their Broncos on country roads or offroad and not get seriously hurt.

I installed the 10-point rollcage for serious offroad use, and the fact that I never use the hardtop. The door braces are to protect me from outside obstacles, like a big rock. I feel that a full cage would be good if you plan to keep your Bronco for a long time, as I intend to keep mine forever. I did feel safer after just installing the main hoop, which is the single bar running under the rear edge of the cab. The rear supports will interfere with rear passengers and the back seat with this kit (S&W Racecars).

I am a firm believer that any rollbar or cage for a Bronco MUST be tied into the frame. Otherwise, the rollbar or cage can crush you in an accident by pushing thru the thin floorpan. It may take some searching, but look for a shop that has experience installing cages and rollbars. Get their feedback, ask about pricing to make you a simple rollbar or cage, etc. I would have no problem paying premium dollars to get some additional protection. Your life and that of your passengers is priceless. My $0.02, JSM84

 

[Broncoboy07]

Maybe you should hust get a 22 inch lift with 48 in tires and just roll over the jerks!

) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

(just kidding of course.)