Armoring a QX4

[reckless1]

I love my QX4 but I am always worried of having an accident in one. I come from driving mostly german tanks and have been in a few high speed accidents and walked out perfectly ok. I put a nice brush guard in the front and one in the back under my truck. I would like to put something on the sides of the truck but would prefer it not to be as visible (small consideration). I actually like the side steps on the side of the vehicle but want something reinforced that will take the impact in case of an accident.

Can someone recommend something? I know of some nerf bars but I believe they require a person to remove the side step... also not sure how much protection they will offer in case the vehicle gets T-boned.

Solid advice greatly appreciated!

[Towncivilian]

I'm not aware of any side reinforcement, but fleurys offers skid plates, but I doubt that's what you're looking for.

[reckless1]

Thanks for the response - I don't need the skid plate as I don't offroad my QX4 (I have a G wagon for that):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes ... 772wt_1161

I've seen some 3" nerf bars but not sure how well they would protect the vehicle.

[jbracy7]

Full custom if you can weld easy
job take u about a week end

[Chris.m]

I know exactly what you need

[reckless1]

whatever that is I want!!!

[patqx4]

The best front end protection would be a arb sahara bumper. But, it's expensive, it doesn't look the greatest, and weighs about 150lbs which might make your front end sag a bit on stock suspension.

http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-Sahara-Bar- ... P3347.aspx

As far as the side protection goes, idk.

[Camelfilter]

Side protection would be to instal som rocksliders I would imagine.

As far as a front bullbar, from what I have read they DO NOT offer protection-just show. In fact cause more damage than without. --Unless you go with some type of ARB or custom.

I have a bullbar installed from the dealer when I bought my Pathy-I like the look, but as above doubt that it adds safety/protection. It does seem to have a slight "intimidation" factor though-drivers do seem yield to me.

[reckless1]

I am not sure if rock sliders will really protect the car on a side impact.

I know my brother had a 98 with a brush guard and it protected his car and him pretty good when he hit another car. All that happened to his car was a dent in the brush guard where the other car was nearly totalled (this was about 13 years ago).

[Camelfilter]

I am not sure if rock sliders will really protect the car on a side impact.

I agree - kinda. Would depend on the impact height.

I would imagine that the sliders spreading the load on the subframe might help spread the impact versus just the B pillar taking the impact. Anything over say 10 Mph would wreak havoc to our unibody anyways.

Figure 15mph side impact (other driver sees u and is breaking from 40) with the other vehicle 5 mph bumper, and slider might help. Might not, I'm just thinking aloud. No slider and same impact?

Standard high speed T bone, nothing will help save the car.

[reckless1]

Standard high speed T bone, nothing will help save the car.

I don't mind if the car gets totalled but I want to save my life. The #1 way to die in the US is a car accident. I have been too many funerals and I do believe there are cars that are much much safer than others. I think the pathy is good from front and rear with proper brush guards but the sides do have me worried. Especially since my sister borrows my car alot and drives through the city of Chicago - to many crazies out there.

[Camelfilter]

Standard high speed T bone, nothing will help save the car.

I don't mind if the car gets totalled but I want to save my life. The #1 way to die in the US is a car accident....

I agree. Pretty much I think the best way to protect ourself is to drive safely. You can't predict everything, but it can help. I like that we sit a bit higher in our SUVs, allows for better sight lines, seeing ahead etc.

No phone while driving (even handsfree), can increase our safety etc etc.

Reduce speed accordingly (unfamilliar area, weather conditions etc etc).

Always try to leave space/an out.

Pretty much the usual, but it helps to remind our loved ones on occasion...

[reckless1]

I hate to tell you but driving safely isn't enough in a big city like Chicago with plenty of drunk drivers on the road (even during working hours). A friend's father just passed away when he was rear ended by a cargo truck a week ago.

I used to believe in safe driving techniques until I attended a dozen funerals for crash victims (many of whom were safe drivers and not at fault). I read the local news daily and everyday somebody dies from a DUI accident over here.

[Towncivilian]

You may want to invest in some LED brake lights for the two side tail lamps, since LEDs have instant on/off time and thus potentially improve other drivers' response times. Take a look at www.superbrightleds.com.

The third brake light, which has a staggering 9 bulbs, would be rather expensive to convert. The cruise control system also desires at least one incandescent bulb to draw enough current, else cruise turns off when you try to use a turn signal.

[zach7685]

Ok don't mess with the car at all... more cons than pros IMHO. If you mess with the front it will A crush in to far B not crush enough absorbing the impact or C crush but not deploy the airbag... Iv been in 3 wrecks in my pathfinders a pickup truck a hummer and a SUV i walked away from all of them... the qx and LE pathfinders have side airbags... i believe the 03 have curtains. if you want a safer car buy a volvo xc90 but please don't mess with physics!

[Towncivilian]

2003+ R50s have side curtain air bags, correct. Not all R50s have side/seat airbags; mine doesn't. It may be possible to retrofit, but it's probably a lot of trouble and rather risky to modify the airbag system.

[zach7685]

The LE is rarely see w/o side seat mounted airbags the QX4 has them standard They are available but only with leather seats.

[Densetsu]

I was going to say... I don't think my '03 or '04 Pathys had side airbags, neither had panels on the sides with words/icons that indicate an airbag. They're both the "Canadian" trims -- Chinook and Chilkoot -- and have cloth seats.

In my front collision with the '03, both the driver and passenger airbags deployed, but that was it. There was nobody in the passenger seat, but the cops explained that in high speed collisions, typically all the airbags deploy regardless of other factors like if someone's in the seat, or direction of impact. Sounded like a blanket statement to me, but did explain the passenger side airbag.

[zach7685]

They aren't availible in pathys with cloth seats I dont know why though. the R50's don't have Passenger occupant sensors so both bags can deploy in a frontal collision.

[reckless1]

Dumb question guys, will this work on my 2002 QX4?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/00-04-PATHFINDE ... 868wt_1177

It is made for 2000-2004 pathfinder but I believe there is almost no difference between a QX4 and a pathfinder other than the clock and a couple side moldings. Can anyone please let me know and help me save $100? Also if anyone knows whether it is worth it to buy the cheapest one or the westin model I would appreciate it. They look almost the same to me.

[Towncivilian]

Yes, it will fit your QX4.

[Camelfilter]

Yes. But from your original concerns, steps will not add protection. I mention sliders again-other (minor) benefits to sliders are added weight at low center of gravity. I think mine weigh in at around 80-100 lbs for the set- probably 90ish lbs.
Like driving around with sandbags in the winter-adds traction on rainy days...

I was able to install mine solo, using a spare jack to hold them in place. Tool a couple times lifting them up to get the holes drilled correctly etc. Mind that for my sliders to act as intended I will need to get them welded on as well, might get around to it-might not. Depends if I get a lift or not.

[vq35]

I am not sure if rock sliders will really protect the car on a side impact.

I agree - kinda. Would depend on the impact height.

I would imagine that the sliders spreading the load on the subframe might help spread the impact versus just the B pillar taking the impact. Anything over say 10 Mph would wreak havoc to our unibody anyways.

Figure 15mph side impact (other driver sees u and is breaking from 40) with the other vehicle 5 mph bumper, and slider might help. Might not, I'm just thinking aloud. No slider and same impact?

Standard high speed T bone, nothing will help save the car.

Agreed I must say, and nicely put.

cheers

[vq35]

After the the recall on the front end, and getting it fixed on both sides, I am really interested in whatever kind of re inforcement I could lend the overall structure of the Pathfinder. Welding at an experienced and probably expensive shop seems to be the only viable option. Has someone done this before, just for the structure (ie extra welding) ??? Results if any.

thanks

[Camelfilter]

When/if I have my sliders welded on, I'd have the shop that patched my exhaust do it. Probably any exhaust shop would do it at a reasonable rate, but the shop I used also does a lot of 4x4 work.

[reckless1]

Forgive me what are sliders?

[PathyProject]

The only protection I can think of in a side impact are side airbags.

[vq35]

I thinking more along the lines of stiffening the overall structure of the body.....so i guess welding at a bodyshop..........

[reckless1]

I thinking more along the lines of stiffening the overall structure of the body.....so i guess welding at a bodyshop..........

Let me know what you come up with. I am planning on doing the same once I figure out what to weld on to her to armor her.

Article on how pathfinder performed marginal in IIHS Side impact Test
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/11/iihs ... e-impacts/

[carnal_c30]

I don't think a brushguard will add safety to your R50.

I had a brushguard on my last QX4. When I got into an accident, the brushguard simply directed the force of the accident to the frame rails and totaled the truck. Crumple zones are present for your safety even if the truck gets mangled up.

I think the brushguards can add body protection, from branches or parallel parkers, but I don't think you should think it will add safety in a collision.