A TEST CASE OF THE DESIGN
In one case, during the theft of a lifted & modified XJ with one of our prototype FbK bumpers installed, the felon collided with the Cadillac rental car pursuing him. The Cadillac was literally ripped open along the driver's side. The metal & weld at the wing/center-section connection of the FbK bumper tore causing the wing-section to fold back a couple of inches at the corner.
Notice in the photos that there is NO damage to the grill, clip or lights. There was no measurable damage or distortion to the frame or bumper mounting system.
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| As a result of the information collected and analyzed of this collision, we have made changes to the method-of-construction at the wing/center-section connection. The production FbK will have reinforced vertical 2x4 sections instead of being mounted horizontally which allows us to make an inside weld as well as an outside weld at this point. Also the production FbK bumper will have the slant plate & support (as in the FbG, FbLTD & FbW bumpers) along the entire length of the bottom of the bumper, further reinforcing the entire bumper. The mounting/connecting plate now extends forward of the bumper face to form a tow point (which replaces the outside 2x2 receivers shown in the photos) . | NOTE: After closer inspection of the damaged bumper (see annotated photo below), we now suspect that during the theft, the felon probably hit a tree with the corner of the bumper (which may have caused all of the damage to the bumper). | |
