Getting tired of other drivers rearending me so I got one of these!

[Dr Plastic]

Second time in 6 months and car is less than a year old so I got of these to take the brunt of a future impact....

 

[foxtemple]

I've seen one somewhere that actually has a spring built into it.

 

[Ryan327]

I could be showing my ignorance here, but the damage to the bumper is normally a basic body panel fix. If some hits your hitch pretty good isn't that going to possibly cause frame damage which is way more expensive to fix if even possible? Not sure how this all works with unibody construction

 

[Dr Plastic]

Yes. Interestingly the edge of the hitch receiver is flush with the bumper so any impact will contact the hitch first and not the bumper.

So any impact will transfer forces to the uni-body frame and not be absorbed by the bumper structure. The first hit I took was in Jan of this year. The car only had 2900 miles on the clock! $9000 in damage. My Ex was in the shop for 3 weeks. They installed all new bumper parts, hitch and a whole new exhaust system. They also had to replace the entire rear pan (spare tire well) between the frame rails and rear seat back. They put it on the jig but found no other misalignment caused by frame damage!

Here is a link to some pictures I took......http://public.fotki.com/ScottABregi/my_rides/explorer-accident-photos/

This second time was not as bad but I do think the exhaust was again damaged (as evidenced by the r/h pipe is now pushed in an inch or two) and the hitch tweaked (as evidenced that the bumper step sits farther fwd and down on the r/h end. I checked it on the bench and it is square!). Also bent the 7-pin connector bracket up. Luckily no paint damage this time, just damaged black plastic parts! I may do the repairs myself since there is no painting involved. I am a competent mechanic (acft mech and electrician for 35 years) so I am not afraid to do my own work!

 

[Purp1eOne]

Second time in 6 months and car is less than a year old so I got of these to take the brunt of a future impact....

Do you have a web link for that?

How big is it and is it specifically made for what you want it to do?

 

[peterk9]

Do you have a web link for that?

How big is it and is it specifically made for what you want it to do?

I believe this is designed to be a step to help reach items on the roof.

Also in the following thread, the OP states that now that he has installed it, the rear sensors keep going off when the transmission is put into reverse.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=388539

Peter

 

[IAmTodd]

Yes, because structure damage is so much better than a new bumper cover.

 

[1995E]

Well, if Ford made a real bumper for this car, at least have a giant metal bumper behind all the plastic, then you wouldn't have to worry. I really don't think anyone really needs a crumple zone in the rear. I'd like a stiff rear because what if I have a dog cage in the back and the back crumples into my dog?

 

[IAmTodd]

I would prefer crumple zones all around the vehicle. I don't really enjoy neck/back injuries so when I buy a new vehicle proper crumpling and active head restraints are always on the list.

 

[pingbling23]

that part may help someone rolling into you, but any sort of impact is going to bend that part into the bumper. then you will have the same bumper damage and then have to replace that part you bought. just drive and dont worry about it, thats what you pay insurance for.