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Airbags???

G

gy67

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Location
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Is it possible that my early 99 Chevy K2500 doesn"t have airbags? I know it doesn't have a passenger side bag like my 98 Sierra 1500 had but wasn't there a law that post 1990 (or 1991) vehicles had to have driver side airbags? Does anyone know if it's possible to add them and if so how? Probably seems like a stange question I'm sure but having a vehicle without them after driving vehicles with them for so many years has me a little worried.....got kinda used to safety aspect of them for that just incase situation.
 
Nah, my 98 K2500 doesn't have them either.

I believe because it's a "2500" it skirts the law for passengfer vehicles.

You probably could add them but the cost would be very high, a donor truck would be you best bet. Even then, it may be a monstrous headache to install.

The best safety aspect you could have is already in the truck;

You.

Keep your head up, drive defensively and wear your seat belt.

The air bags are only "supplimental restraint" to the belts....
 
Post a pic of your steering wheel, I just about bet you have a driver side airbag. When the interior changed over in 94 GM added driver side airbags. My 96 pickup didn't have a P/S airbag, but my 97 Suburban 2500 does.

If it looks like this, you have an airbag (not my truck):

0903mt_01_z+1999_chevy_blazer+steering_wheel.jpg
 
bfourman said:
Post a pic of your steering wheel, I just about bet you have a driver side airbag. When the interior changed over in 94 GM added driver side airbags. My 96 pickup didn't have a P/S airbag, but my 97 Suburban 2500 does.

If it looks like this, you have an airbag (not my truck):

0903mt_01_z+1999_chevy_blazer+steering_wheel.jpg
Click to expand...

I'll take that bet!

How about a beer?

My 98 K2500 doesn't have air bags and David's (88GMCTruck) 99 K2500 doesn't have it either (athough he switched to a non funcitional air bag wheel for the feel).

Suburbans are classified as passenger vehicles so would fall under the airbag/passenger vehicle rules....
 
You can add a 5 point safety harness and a roll bar. The 5 point harness is way better then the minimum seat-belt offered and required by law. They take a bit to adjust and put on but are street able. You can't protect yourself from other drivers doing something stupid, drunk Aliens being the worst. A 3/4 ton truck helps with the bigger container factor sometimes.

Airbags are a mess requiring proper seats, sensors, and calibration to the vehicle to not go off at the wrong time... all can cause worse injury.
 
BJ is right, K2500 and K3500 trucks did not ever come with airbags. Back then, the trucks didn't need them due to their GVWR. Suburbans had them.

95-96 were driver's side only, 97+ were driver and passenger with the exception of the trucks above.

Here is a 95-97 airbag.
P1040713.jpg


Here is a 98+ airbag (with S-10 audio controls)
IMG_20110309_153750.jpg


Here is my non airbag wheel next to the 98+ wheel with controls.
IMG_20110309_122806.jpg
 
WarWagon said:
You can add a 5 point safety harness and a roll bar. The 5 point harness is way better then the minimum seat-belt offered and required by law. They take a bit to adjust and put on but are street able. You can't protect yourself from other drivers doing something stupid, drunk Aliens being the worst. A 3/4 ton truck helps with the bigger container factor sometimes.

Airbags are a mess requiring proper seats, sensors, and calibration to the vehicle to not go off at the wrong time... all can cause worse injury.
Click to expand...

Maybe a helmet and a HANS device also...:smilewinkgrin:
 
I figured it had to be some sort government loop hole that kept the 2500 & 3500's from having to have an airbag. I'm not too worried about not having one due to weight of the truck, I'm sure I'll cause more damage to the other vehicle unless it's something the same size or larger but I like the idea of having the airbag for my wife when she rides or drives with me and when my kids may need to borrow it. Oh well I'll make sure the next ruck has them. Thanks again guys.
 
I thought it was based on GVWR. I thought rigs 8600 lbs GVWR and higher were exempt from airbags. I do believe this is the system:

1995: new interior: under 8600 got airbags on drivers side.
1997: slightly updated dash, under 8600 got airbags on both sides.

1995-00 8600+ : no airbags, driver or passenger.

I know none of my trucks or dads truck in signature have airbags, and IIRC, my suburban doesnt either. it is officially, by door badges, VIN and all, 8600 GVWR.
 
so you are saying that all 1995 or newer burbs, no matter the GVWR, got airbags? I wouldnt argue with that. I would argue the statement "all suburbans got airbags" though! :)
 
Well all suburbans in the year ranges that offered airbags should have them no matter what GVWR, and that would be 95+.
 
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