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Almost all light trucks now are being manufactured with at least a driver side air bag and all will have dual air bags by 1998. The driving forces behind this feature are occupant safety, federal regulations, and competition in the industry. Along with the booming popularity of pickups and SUVs, they are commonly accessorized with a wide variety of products. Many accessories for four-wheel drives in particular are mounted on the front of the vehicle. These products include grille/brush guards, winches, snow plows, replacement bumpers, bicycle carriers, etc. Concerns have arisen over the compatibility of these accessories with the vehicle’s air bag system. The vehicle manufacturers are concerned because of their huge investment in design and crash test verification of the complete vehicle system and keen awareness of the federal regulations. The crushability of the front bumper and supporting structure are key elements in the system, so alterations to that area become logical concerns.

The scope of this document is limited specifically to the following types of passenger vehicles: automobiles, light trucks, and sport/utility vehicles. This document addresses modifications as they apply to legal use of the vehicle, and examines suspension modification as it applies to stock (as manufactured) ride height, and changed (raised or lowered) ride height. Note that modifications of ride height are considered, exclusive of wheel and/or tire modifications, which can also have potentially serious side effects, and are outside the scope of this document.

The scope of this document is limited specifically to the following types of passenger vehicles: automobiles, light trucks, and sport/utility vehicles. This document addresses modifications as they apply to legal use of the vehicle, and examines suspension modification as it applies to stock (as manufactured) ride height, and changed (raised or lowered) ride height. Note that modifications of ride height are considered, exclusive of wheel and/or tire modifications, which can also have potentially serious side effects, and are outside the scope of this document.

Almost all light trucks now are being manufactured with at least a driver side air bag and all will have dual air bags by 1998. The driving forces behind this feature are occupant safety, federal regulations, and competition in the industry. Along with the booming popularity of pickups and SUVs, they are commonly accessorized with a wide variety of products. Many accessories for four-wheel drives in particular are mounted on the front of the vehicle. These products include grille/brush guards, winches, snow plows, replacement bumpers, bicycle carriers, etc. Concerns have arisen over the compatibility of these accessories with the vehicle’s air bag system. The vehicle manufacturers are concerned because of their huge investment in design and crash test verification of the complete vehicle system and keen awareness of the federal regulations. The crushability of the front bumper and supporting structure are key elements in the system, so alterations to that area become logical concerns.