NHTSA reported yesterday on the results of their frontal offset crash tests of full size pick ups. The F-150 & Dodge were rated poor (which really suprised me). The passenger cab was crushed pretty bad implying relatively poor structural integrity. Do you want to know what truck did the best in this test?

Answer: The Toyota Tundra!

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cdlicavoli
1998 Back/Silver Lariat Supercab

 

All loyalty aside, the Toyota Tundra is the best truck made, hands down. And for the price its almost criminal to not get one.
But thats loyalty aside

 

Once again, please notice that I have moved all the threads on this topic to the "Safety" forum. We do not need 60 ongoing threads on this topic in 20 forums. Please look around at the closed threads and the reasons for their closure before posting a new one. Thanks.

Steve

 

Since the Toyota is so stiff, not much energy is absorbed during the crash. I wonder how many people would die of injuries similar to Dale Earnhardt's. I'm not impressed with the F150 SC's rear doors. You'll notice that the F150 is the only truck where these doors collapsed. We'll see if they improve on the design in '03.

 

The report takes G-forces into account when issuing ratings. The fact is, when the passenger compartment collapses and the body gets crushed, bones break. G-forces in the Toyota were low. No comparison with slamming into the wall at 150 MPH at Daytona with a bum saftey harness IMO.

 

PLEASE NOTE!:

This crash test was not conducted by the NHTSA. The NHTSA is a federal government agency. The crash test was conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety which is a non-governmental coalition for insurance companies. Without discussing methodology of the testing, doesn't it make sense that an insurance company (or its front throuhg membership in what is obviously a biased entity) would want the number one selling vehicle to perform poorly in these tests? Of course, because then the insurance premiums could increase on these vehicles (citing, of course, the statistics that the insurance company will have to pay more per accident because of increased injuries per crash), resulting in higher profits for the insurance company.

oops, looks like i'm jumping on the sensationalism bandwagon too.

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"flexible hips mean higher steps"

2001 F-150 Supercab XLT 4x4 5.4L auto in Bright Silver
optional equipment: carpet delete, tow package, power adjustable pedals, "man"ual 4wd shift lever, law enforcement scanner, CB w/PA, spray-in Speedliner, Streamlight Stinger, Graco infant car seat
quickdraw.f150online.net
quickdrawf150@hotmail.com

 

Earnhardts Harness was not at fault. Hitting the wall at 180+ miles an hour was the cause. The belt did not break. It was cut off by the emergency crew. This issue has been resolved. The crew member that arrived on site first confirmed that Dale's belt was intact.

 

And he did not hit the wall at 150 or 180. If you would do a speed vector analysis of the impact it would be much less. Still fast though. Should have had the Haans.

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- 2001 F150 Harley Davidson Special
- 1993 Mazda Miata, wifes car
- 1994 Harley Davidson Heritage
- 1976 Honda CB750K, Original
- 1965 Honda 305 Dream, Original
- 1971 Triumph Trophy 650, Original
- 1971 Norton Commando
- 1970 Honda Trail 90, Original
- Yamaha 500 Short Tracker, racing #69
- 1984 Yamaha Virago 1000, wifes bike
- 1981 Honda Passport 70, wifes bike

 

Another thing, were forces measured at the head of the dummy? Dale reportedly hit the wall at 50 mph, just 10 mph faster than the test conducted on our beloved F150. Why do you think Indy cars fly apart?

Being from the South, it wouldn't look right for me to drive a pickup built by a company that doesn't originate from the country that evented it. Sorta like saying NASCAR belongs in Europe.