SAS Package Crash Bar Removal

[N0madK1ng]

I ordered this one:

https://www.boss4x4.com/product-p/4wp8-62213.htm

Supposed to arrive tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes.

Nice. Looks like an easy enough install! Send some pics when its all done.

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[EasternSierra]

As one who has totaled a Sasquatch Bronco by t boning a red light runner, I will say that the crash bars would have made no difference in the outcome of my crash. I suffered a broken sternum from the airbag. It was quite painful, but a crash bar would have made no difference. The Bronco did its job - sacrificed itself to protect the occupant.

Yes, I bought another Sasquatch. So . . .

The crash bars aren't designed to do anything in your scenario. They're for a narrow-offset head-on crash.

 

[dangerfoot]

The crash bars aren't designed to do anything in your scenario. They're for a narrow-offset head-on crash.

One of the most common types of crashes, which is why it was added to the testing requirements.

I share OP's hesitation, mainly bc I like my ankles and feet. I'll keep the rear crash bars no matter what and am currently running 4wp high clearance bars on my WT. I want 37s but this might be a deciding factor for me.

 

[crenca]

Nice. Looks like an easy enough install! Send some pics when its all done.

I went to install this morning, but this kit assumes you are removing standard ford crashbars and thus are going to re-use the OE bolts. Sasquatched broncos don't have the 2 bolts (x 4 so total of 8) OE bolts you need (though the nut is welded to the frame), at least mine and one other I looked at on the dealer lot.

So off to the parts dept. I went - for $50 (might have saved a little by hunting and pecking at the local bolt & nut shop but I did not bother) I will have the hardware I need, Monday if not tomorrow...

 

[N0madK1ng]

I went to install this morning, but this kit assumes you are removing standard ford crashbars and thus are going to re-use the OE bolts. Sasquatched broncos don't have the 2 bolts (x 4 so total of 8) OE bolts you need (though the nut is welded to the frame), at least mine and one other I looked at on the dealer lot.

So off to the parts dept. I went - for $50 (might have saved a little by hunting and pecking at the local bolt & nut shop but I did not bother) I will have the hardware I need, Monday if not tomorrow...

Good info. I appreciate the update!

 

[B22-2023]

Has this been stated by Ford? The (insurance company funded) Institute of Highway Safety small overlap testing prompted most manufactures to add these "crash bars" starting a few years back. This testing found that even with an otherwise adequate safety cage (which I suspect the Bronco has given it's roll-over engineering), often the wheel/tires were protruding into the low wheel wells, causing the vehicle to still fail the test.

If you observe the typical crash test, the suspension "hangs on" to the wheel tire, which "curls back" into the lower wheel well. I suspect a Sasquatched Bronco would be worse, not better, given the size and weight of the wheel and tire package. It will never be tested however given that the IHS only tests typical (often the cheapest) version of each vehicle as they $pay$ for the vehicles themselves so that the manufacturers can not goose the system.

I will be installing an aftermarket 'high clearance' crash bar setup I ordered from Boss 4x4 for my new Sasquatched Bronco this very week. Of course, such a system has never been tested...but it might make a difference in a serious small overlap crash, and it's defiantly worth the bonus points I will get with the wife

My thinking is the same across the board

Has this been stated by Ford? The (insurance company funded) Institute of Highway Safety small overlap testing prompted most manufactures to add these "crash bars" starting a few years back. This testing found that even with an otherwise adequate safety cage (which I suspect the Bronco has given it's roll-over engineering), often the wheel/tires were protruding into the low wheel wells, causing the vehicle to still fail the test.

If you observe the typical crash test, the suspension "hangs on" to the wheel tire, which "curls back" into the lower wheel well. I suspect a Sasquatched Bronco would be worse, not better, given the size and weight of the wheel and tire package. It will never be tested however given that the IHS only tests typical (often the cheapest) version of each vehicle as they $pay$ for the vehicles themselves so that the manufacturers can not goose the system.

I will be installing an aftermarket 'high clearance' crash bar setup I ordered from Boss 4x4 for my new Sasquatched Bronco this very week. Of course, such a system has never been tested...but it might make a difference in a serious small overlap crash, and it's defiantly worth the bonus points I will get with the wife

I am in more or less the same camp as @crenca (including the need for "Bonus Points") - they are no doubt there for a good reason, but with all the mods and armor (and weight) of my rig, even on 35's I am putting the Lobo Off-Road erase and brace kit on this week and don't expect to lose anything. It adds strength in its own way to the frame (horns) and front bumper; they say for off-angle winching but the way those gussets tie in I have to believe there is some crash protection added. Again, with such weight and geometry changes, the engineering model for those crash bars wouldn't apply as much in my case.

When I think of all the front end and other mods on rigs and muscle cars I've & others have done in the past without much of a second thought to this stuff, I am grateful that this forum and the vendor community really get us thinking of how to try and balance safety with looks/performance.

 

[Heritage66]

Hello All,

I saw the below quote in another thread, mentioning that all Sasquatch packages have the front crash bar removed to allow for wheel clearances and all crash tests are done with that bar installed (non sas Broncos).

Anyone have more information about this? Is there some aftermarket crash bar that can be installed for safety? Anyone very knowledgeable on this type of stuff?


"IIHS tests on the Bronco are all models equipped with crash bars and they fared well on all tests except headrests and headlights.
IIHS has not tested Sasquatch-equipped Broncos so it's hard to say if removing the crash bar has a significant effect on its performance in tests like the frontal small-overlap crash."

TIA

I have a SAS and installed the ReadyLIFT Anti-intrusion bars. Purchased them here:

https://www.extremeterrain.com/read...zhjdlpf3Igwh8Oiws9EaAmRrEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[N0madK1ng]

I have a SAS and installed the ReadyLIFT Anti-intrusion bars. Purchased them here:

https://www.extremeterrain.com/readylift-bronco-high-clearance-anti-intrustion-beams-67-21200.html?utm_content=XT Lift Kits - Lift Kits|ReadyLIFT&T5_Var4=FB18384&utm_campaign=XTB+Bronco+Vehicle+Medium+LTVTop&dialogtech=ppc&utm_source=google-pla&utm_medium=shopping&T5_Var2=shopping&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6Ou5BhCrARIsAPoTxrBEBogNwdT7XycLgo5tM4dhiOW-4t_tZXONzhjdlpf3Igwh8Oiws9EaAmRrEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Awesome, thank you for the link. So far what I've seen is the aftermarket product isn't expensive. I'm assuming the installation is pretty simple though? Is there any torque requirements when mounting these to the existing brackets?

 

[Heritage66]

Awesome, thank you for the link. So far what I've seen is the aftermarket product isn't expensive. I'm assuming the installation is pretty simple though? Is there any torque requirements when mounting these to the existing brackets?

No torque requirement, tighten until it won't wobble. Also, for the front, there is no need to remove the bumper.

 

[N0madK1ng]

No torque requirement, tighten until it won't wobble. Also, for the front, there is no need to remove the bumper.

That's great. I checked out the product and the people that left a review seems to love them. Looks like this will be my first install when I get my Bronco lol.

 

[Heritage66]

That's great. I checked out the product and the people that left a review seems to love them. Looks like this will be my first install when I get my Bronco lol.

here are some images of front and rear bars. you can see it better with the pix when I was rotating the tires. I have the Rokblokz mud flaps and the bar sits flush against it.

 

[N0madK1ng]

here are some images of front and rear bars. you can see it better with the pix when I was rotating the tires. I have the Rokblokz mud flaps and the bar sits flush against it.

Oh thats awesome! Thanks for the pics.

 

[kodiakisland]

Broncos have been on the road for three years now. A single instance of this being an issue?

 

[NORCALGXP]

I have been running 37s now for over a year with +25 Icon Rebound Pros rims. I only had to cut the front bar off at an angle and it never rubs. I did trim the rear bar.

 

[N0madK1ng]

Broncos have been on the road for three years now. A single instance of this being an issue?

I mean it's a great question to ask and I don't know that there is any one correct answer here. Myself, and some others on this thread, mentioned that they're there for a reason (front over-lap crash if I recall) and are removed on the sas-equipped broncos.

The bracket remains in place on the sas-equipped broncos but again, the crash bars are removed. If these aren't there anymore then what prevents the wheel from entering the footwell? I don't want to find out.

I wish there was more data on this, but as of now, I don't see any.

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