Questions?

Patsy15 · 01-15-2007, 11:12 PM

my son has fallen in love with a restored 1993 Lightning for his
first car. Can current safety features such as airbags (driver and
passenger, front and curtain) be installed in this vehicle and is the cost
prohibitive. While he is an extemely cautipus driver, his safety is
paramount to us. Thank you for your help.
John

jonwoos · 01-16-2007, 04:54 AM

93's did not have air bags. 94, and up came with driver's side air bag, and 3rd brake light.

Brian Baskin · 01-16-2007, 05:12 AM

Hi John,
I understand your concerns regarding safety, but as a non-airbag '93 owner, I have never felt insecure in my own vehicle (and I'm a very crash-prone person). Your best bet is to guide him towards a '94 or '95 Lightning. They are essentially identical, but with a few changes such as airbags, center seats, and a more durable transmission.

my94lightning · 11-17-2007, 03:34 AM

I could never part with my 94, its wonderfull, but as far as safety goes,,,
pros= its a real fullsize truck, with a drivers only airbag, quality seats(good full back/support).rear ABS
cons= its 15 ish years old, alot!!!! of progress has been made, in crumple zones, safety cabs, restraint systems (airbags),crash test enginering ect.
about the same as gas mileage and ride quality/comfort has greatly improved,
the question about a retrofiting other airbag componets, NO

.
I have been an airbag speacialist for 10+ years, as a technician. You would have to spend so much money, and testing (crashing), modifications,ect to get a workable safe modern system, if you could even hire somone qualified

,
it would be cheaper/safer to buy private jet.

option b, (full) rollcage w door beams, 5 point harness, fire control system.
that will probable work, $3-10k? = race car safe.

good luck, tough choices ahead.

mefordguy · 07-09-2008, 10:07 PM

I realize that was a joke, but just in case he did not get it, do not install a cage in a street driven truck. It makes the truck less safe. You can break legs, arms, or other major bones even with the most minor of crashes(15-20 mph). Your not supposed to have hard non bendable material that close to your body while driving. Thats why cars have crumple zones and thats why they do not put cages or roll bars in factory vehicles. Plus it makes it very hard for safety personnel to pull or cut your son out(god forbid they would need to) if he got in a bad crash. Just thought i would throw that out there.

01-15-2007, 11:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Patsy15 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 10 View this user's gallery iTrader: 0 / 0%	Questions? my son has fallen in love with a restored 1993 Lightning for his first car. Can current safety features such as airbags (driver and passenger, front and curtain) be installed in this vehicle and is the cost prohibitive. While he is an extemely cautipus driver, his safety is paramount to us. Thank you for your help. John

11-17-2007, 03:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
my94lightning The BAGMAN Paid Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Federal Way, Washington Posts: 494 NLOC member #: 2485 View this user's gallery iTrader: 0 / 0%	I could never part with my 94, its wonderfull, but as far as safety goes,,, pros= its a real fullsize truck, with a drivers only airbag, quality seats(good full back/support).rear ABS cons= its 15 ish years old, alot!!!! of progress has been made, in crumple zones, safety cabs, restraint systems (airbags),crash test enginering ect. about the same as gas mileage and ride quality/comfort has greatly improved, the question about a retrofiting other airbag componets, NO. I have been an airbag speacialist for 10+ years, as a technician. You would have to spend so much money, and testing (crashing), modifications,ect to get a workable safe modern system, if you could even hire somone qualified, it would be cheaper/safer to buy private jet. option b, (full) rollcage w door beams, 5 point harness, fire control system. that will probable work, $3-10k? = race car safe. good luck, tough choices ahead.

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01-16-2007, 04:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
jonwoos tryin to learn Paid Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Falls of Rough, Ky Posts: 2,117 NLOC member #: 1992 View this user's gallery iTrader: 17 / 100%	93's did not have air bags. 94, and up came with driver's side air bag, and 3rd brake light.

01-16-2007, 05:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
Brian Baskin Rikutsu-poi Paid Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Harford County, MD Posts: 8,008 NLOC member #: 658 View this user's gallery iTrader: 4 / 100%	Hi John, I understand your concerns regarding safety, but as a non-airbag '93 owner, I have never felt insecure in my own vehicle (and I'm a very crash-prone person). Your best bet is to guide him towards a '94 or '95 Lightning. They are essentially identical, but with a few changes such as airbags, center seats, and a more durable transmission.

07-09-2008, 10:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
mefordguy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6 View this user's gallery iTrader: 0 / 0%	I realize that was a joke, but just in case he did not get it, do not install a cage in a street driven truck. It makes the truck less safe. You can break legs, arms, or other major bones even with the most minor of crashes(15-20 mph). Your not supposed to have hard non bendable material that close to your body while driving. Thats why cars have crumple zones and thats why they do not put cages or roll bars in factory vehicles. Plus it makes it very hard for safety personnel to pull or cut your son out(god forbid they would need to) if he got in a bad crash. Just thought i would throw that out there.