Crash

So I was in a crash 2 months ago and I totaled a 2007 Toyota Corolla by driving 45 mph into the side of a 97 Dodge Ram. Well I was fine but it got me thinking if I was in my jeep how would that have ended. I have a 59 cj5 with only lap belts....How would the Jeep have stood up in a crash?

 

Never mind the Jeep. Next time you sit in your early, look straight down at the melon splitter that's on the center of your spoke steering wheel. That's somewhere in the vacinity of where your head is going to end up, unless you're tall. If that is the case, look a little farther toward the steel dash. HTH. Glad I could brighten your day.

On a more positive note, if you've got a stock '59, the F-head will have a difficult time getting you up to 45mph, so perhaps it isn't too much of a concern. (Just a little V6 v. 134 humor)

Seriously, though, do a search for the TJ shoulder belt mod.

 

do you have a will ?
I wouldn't make a habit of doing that in any vehicle

 

I have a jeep that someone gave me that rolled down a hill and hit a flatbed truck. The jeep looked pretty ugly. I got to take it all apart and the weak area is right at the base of the tub below the windsheild. The whole dash area moved back towards the driver. I think you would have really gotten hurt...then again maybe not.

 

Well, seeing as how the Early is made of Real Steel, you would probably come out of it all right. Providing you put in some 4- or 5- point racing harness. With a chest protector - that horn button won't bop you in the noggin, you will catch it square in the chest, and that is not a collapsible column on that thing.

You probably totaled out the plastic car you were driving, didn't you? CJ's are built tougher than that.

Glad to hear you are all right, in any event.

 

On a more positive note, if you've got a stock '59, the F-head will have a difficult time getting you up to 45mph, so perhaps it isn't too much of a concern. (Just a little V6 v. 134 humor)

Don't know about the rest of you F- and L-134 drivers, but I don't have any trouble getting up to 45 mph. Any thing over 50 though...R)

 

I am with you there. I dont have any trouble getting up to 45 right off, its slightly downhill from my house to the main drag :twisted: Its staying there that turns into a job R).
All kidding aside I would more worried about someone who thinks they can text message and multi task while they are driving hitting me from behind, There are allot of drivers out there that did not grow up around older vehicles and it just does not automatically register in their mind that there is a potential speed difference when they see an old vehicle of any type let alone distinguish new from vintage.
You have to drive for them too, Watch your A_ _ .

 

In that case it won't matter what you drive. You are still a target for the ones that can not be bothered to pay attention to their driving. I think it should be something that cops can pull you over for, but as of yet they cant unless you do something really stupid to get their attention.

Like driving a red sports car at the legal speed limit. Attracts all sorts of attention - unless they are text messaging or something else more important than their driving.

I need a tail gunner!
R):hurrican:

 

I think 1960willyscj5 is on to something with the tail gunner concept R)

 

Personally, any jeep I owned would be retrofitted with high back seats and at least shoulder belts. I plan on using aftermarket seats and a 4 or 5 point belt. I'm also going to put in a full roll cage in my 6.

It won't look factory but I'd rather be safe than dead. Especially since my kids and wife will ride in it with me........

 

Well my jeep isn't stock. It does have a V6. The steering column is what scares me. That would be about chest height. So I would guess that it would hurt A LOT!!!!

 

It's not just Jeeps - all automobiles since 1970 have become much more crash-worthy. There was a major change in attitude in the late 60s regarding the responsibility of car makers for crash safety. Jeeps were mostly exempt from a lot of the safety regs that applied to cars during the '70s, then the regs were applied more broadly.

It's a sad fact that older cars are less safe. You just have to drive them with that fact in mind, and make an extra effort to ensure your and your passenger's safety.

Stout bumpers will help - the frame can take a lot of impact (DAMHIK - you should have seen the other guy). All that decelleration will be felt by the occupants though - if you can keep from hitting the wheel/dash/interior, you'll be much better off in a crash.

 

amazing how everyone is worried about hitting the dash or steering column, i would be more concerned about the gas tank that i am sitting on

 

Good point. I have a set of high back buckets from an old Mustang. Wasn't sure I wanted to use them because the passenger seat won't fold under the dash and therefore I won't be able to get into the toolbox. Since I'll be the only one in the vehicle, maybe I'll use the Stang driver seat and the original low back passenger seat while on the trail. Probably use both highbacks around town for looks and when I'm most likely to have a passenger. I'll have to think on it. Thanks for bringing it to mind.

tommy b

 

I can still get in the toolbox with the highback bestops. You just have to adjust the seat back before moving it (unless the top's off).

 

Yep. I refer you to several MythBusters episodes where they've tried to blow up cars with bullets etc. Car fires happen, but exploding cars?

(Supposedly the most common cause of car fires is those little pieces of fuel hose on top of the engine.)

 

With my CJ-6 and highbacks, I carried a stick the right length to prop up the seat against the windshield when I wanted to get into the toolbox. I could tilt the seat forward enough to get the toolbox lid open.