Retrofitting Safety Features

[Fix4Dirt]

the ones i want in the X

-blind spot warning (already found an option)
-forward collision warning (still looking)
- side airbags (can a 99+ with seat airbags be swapped in? if so, what else would i need to do it? is there module for it?)

any suggestions let me know

 

[Fix4Dirt]

my FCW options seem to b
mobileye
safedrive

both very $$$$$$

there are ones built into dashcams by garmin etc, but i cant see them working very well. wonder if one could DIY with lidar instead of cameras?

 

[C420sailor]

I mean…if you’re good with electrical engineering, anything is possible.

Something with an arduino/raspberry pi controlling it would work. Those systems are really just sensors, a computer that processes those signals and produces an output (alarm) when programmed distance or closure thresholds are exceeded.

It gets more complicated if you’re looking to integrate the vehicle…turn signals, brakes, etc

 

[BKennedy]

You would have to integrate the side airbag sensors into the correct spot on your vehicle and hope for the best. I don't think that is worth messing with when there is the possibility of them deploying randomly. If I remember correctly, your Explorer is used for off road use. I don't like the idea of air bags in a off road vehicle. I've seen videos of people jumping their rigs, slightly nose diving and having the air bags deploy.

 

[Stic-o]

I have also witnessed side curtain airbags going off in rough terrain.

Just pay attention and keep the phone down. You'll be fine.

 

[J_C]

Airbags, you could just wire them through a multi-pole switch to disable for offroading. Just make sure you do a GOOD job of that so there isn't any risk of them failng to deploy when they should, and don't forget to re-enable them when finished offroading or else it defeats the purpose. Might be good to set it up so that when the switch disables them, it also lights up a red indicator LED within your field of vision. Otherwise, I'd forget.

 

[Metalface]

I would personally lean towards a whole extra truck or at least the body itself, with the features you're looking for airbag-wise from factory, unless you truly trust yourself *that much.*

The rest is VERY doable. I don't know about how many modular options are available -- since most vehicles that come with these features have proprietary modules that control these things, so it's a little extra complicated for no reason other than to benefit the manufacturer and dealerships for those systems that they use. If you can find something truly modular, it should not be hard. At all. I will follow this thread because I've also been curious about new features in modern vehicles that are actually useful, just, without all the backwards BS that is needed to make them work.

 

[Josh P]

Airbags, you could just wire them through a multi-pole switch to disable for offroading. Just make sure you do a GOOD job of that so there isn't any risk of them failng to deploy when they should, and don't forget to re-enable them when finished offroading or else it defeats the purpose. Might be good to set it up so that when the switch disables them, it also lights up a red indicator LED within your field of vision. Otherwise, I'd forget.

That's a good idea. I'd probably use the 4x4 light to control a contact or relay for the disabling of the airbags.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

You would have to integrate the side airbag sensors into the correct spot on your vehicle and hope for the best. I don't think that is worth messing with when there is the possibility of them deploying randomly. If I remember correctly, your Explorer is used for off road use. I don't like the idea of air bags in a off road vehicle. I've seen videos of people jumping their rigs, slightly nose diving and having the air bags deploy.

i don't jump it

Just pay attention and keep the phone down. You'll be fine.

fair fair. dont worry i dont use my phone when im driving. just have been thinking about it after some close calls in . arleta hahahaha folks pulling out of lots too close when i havent even gone past them or time when i was nearly PIT'ed by someone who didnt see me... and never saw me i guess? (they continued as if they didnt just almost hit me)

Airbags, you could just wire them through a multi-pole switch to disable for offroading. Just make sure you do a GOOD job of that so there isn't any risk of them failng to deploy when they should, and don't forget to re-enable them when finished offroading or else it defeats the purpose. Might be good to set it up so that when the switch disables them, it also lights up a red indicator LED within your field of vision. Otherwise, I'd forget.

smort smort! reminds me of chevy trucks.

 

[C420sailor]

With the trucks at this age, many airbag deployments won’t even happen to begin with.

I’ve never had an airbag code on my blu explorer. Got rear ended by a SEMI…hit me so hard my seat back went flat, I totaled the BMW in front of me and blew the stereo head unit clear out of the dash.

Airbags didn’t deploy.

As mentioned, best safety is seat belts, paying attention, driving more slowly

 

[Fix4Dirt]

With the trucks at this age, many airbag deployments won’t even happen to begin with.

I’ve never had an airbag code on my blu explorer. Got rear ended by a SEMI…hit me so hard my seat back went flat, I totaled the BMW in front of me and blew the stereo head unit clear out of the dash.

Airbags didn’t deploy.

As mentioned, best safety is seat belts, paying attention, driving more slowly

interesting, youre provavly right on that one. ive seen a bunch of hit explorers at JY and very seldom did the bag deploy.

and yep, that i do agree with. maybe i wont do the bag then and think sbout what i can do w bsw and fcw. since i do not text and drive and i tend to be a right lane driver, but i just worry about the off chance when im looking to change lanes and not looking forward, or if by some chance i miss a motorcycle/very small car hiding in the blind spot

 

[J_C]

That's a good idea. I'd probably use the 4x4 light to control a contact or relay for the disabling of the airbags.

Different climate. I'm sometimes in 4WD on snowy roads where the chance of impact might be greatest.

 

[Josh P]

Different climate. I'm sometimes in 4WD on snowy roads where the chance of impact might be greatest.

True, I was thinking about his specific location