Crumple zone frames vs straight frames, crash safety
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 84
Likes: 9
Crumple zone frames vs straight frames, crash safety
I've looked over a number of crash pictures on IIHS' website. A number of them are pretty benign. A few awful ones, like the Chevy Astro.
One that surprised me was the '97 F-150: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle...ab-pickup/1997
Unfortunately, there's nothing there for our older F-150s.
It appears to "over collapse," which got me thinking about how '91 and older have solid frames, and '92 and newer have crumple zones built in (I also wonder if this is why '92+ frames are a little bit thicker?).
I haven't seen any crash pictures to confirm either way, but I am wondering if the solid frame of '91 and older could be safer, as far as survival space goes. Does anyone have any thoughts and/or experience on that?
Thank you!
One that surprised me was the '97 F-150: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle...ab-pickup/1997
Unfortunately, there's nothing there for our older F-150s.
It appears to "over collapse," which got me thinking about how '91 and older have solid frames, and '92 and newer have crumple zones built in (I also wonder if this is why '92+ frames are a little bit thicker?).
I haven't seen any crash pictures to confirm either way, but I am wondering if the solid frame of '91 and older could be safer, as far as survival space goes. Does anyone have any thoughts and/or experience on that?
Thank you!
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,884
Likes: 2,448
I don’t plan to crash my truck so I've never thought about it. How would a frame without the crumple zone have been “safer?” If so the manufacturer would not have added that zone. Modern vehicles are designed to crush up to the passenger compartment to absorb the impact.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 314
I believe the big fuss over those 10G SuperCabs was that all you had for crash support was two doors butting up to each other. The offset test puts all the force on one side. Voila.
I don’t recall regular cabs or SCrews having those issues. Well, the videos just saw of a SCrew fared much better.
In any event, I’d put my money on newer trucks being better off. Maybe not as drastic as that ‘59 Impala vs ‘09 Impala video we’ve all seen, but you get the drift.
I don’t recall regular cabs or SCrews having those issues. Well, the videos just saw of a SCrew fared much better.
In any event, I’d put my money on newer trucks being better off. Maybe not as drastic as that ‘59 Impala vs ‘09 Impala video we’ve all seen, but you get the drift.
Last edited by Johnny Paycheck; Nov 27, 2025 at 04:50 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,861
Likes: 1,042
Speed does not kill, stopping does. A slow stop vs a sudden stop is better and I would want a crush zone.
But then again, I am not planing on crashing and with a 5th wheel behind me, I'm really not worried about any crumple zone. I just want it to be quick. Why would I want to survive anything with a 10k trailer behind me?
But then again, I am not planing on crashing and with a 5th wheel behind me, I'm really not worried about any crumple zone. I just want it to be quick. Why would I want to survive anything with a 10k trailer behind me?
Last edited by 1Butcher; Nov 28, 2025 at 08:58 AM.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 17,500
Likes: 2,777
From: Northern Ontario
They fixed the 150, but not the 250/350. I was always a little concerned in my ‘04 SD super cab. No crumple zones on the SD’s either.
But they have come along way in safety.
It’s that sudden to zero stop that does a lot of internal damage. Crumple zones work.
One thing according to the above videos, your a lot safer in your truck than an escort or focus.
But they have come along way in safety.
It’s that sudden to zero stop that does a lot of internal damage. Crumple zones work.
One thing according to the above videos, your a lot safer in your truck than an escort or focus.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 84
Likes: 9
I don’t plan to crash my truck so I've never thought about it. How would a frame without the crumple zone have been “safer?” If so the manufacturer would not have added that zone. Modern vehicles are designed to crush up to the passenger compartment to absorb the impact.
I agree that if executed correctly, in many situations crumple zones will be better.
I believe the big fuss over those 10G SuperCabs was that all you had for crash support was two doors butting up to each other. The offset test puts all the force on one side. Voila.
I don’t recall regular cabs or SCrews having those issues. Well, the videos just saw of a SCrew fared much better.
In any event, I’d put my money on newer trucks being better off. Maybe not as drastic as that ‘59 Impala vs ‘09 Impala video we’ve all seen, but you get the drift.
I don’t recall regular cabs or SCrews having those issues. Well, the videos just saw of a SCrew fared much better.
In any event, I’d put my money on newer trucks being better off. Maybe not as drastic as that ‘59 Impala vs ‘09 Impala video we’ve all seen, but you get the drift.
They fixed the 150, but not the 250/350. I was always a little concerned in my ‘04 SD super cab. No crumple zones on the SD’s either.
...
It’s that sudden to zero stop that does a lot of internal damage. Crumple zones work.
One thing according to the above videos, your a lot safer in your truck than an escort or focus.
...
It’s that sudden to zero stop that does a lot of internal damage. Crumple zones work.
One thing according to the above videos, your a lot safer in your truck than an escort or focus.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 2,674
From: Near Salt Lake City
I work on Autoliv vehicles and have been watching crash videos for about 40 years
*Airbags work and crumple zones work
They really should crash cars and trucks into cars and trucks, not cars and trucks into walls
*Airbags work and crumple zones work
They really should crash cars and trucks into cars and trucks, not cars and trucks into walls
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,861
Likes: 1,042
Either way, we all should understand that life ends with death and how fast we get there is a lot of times is based on our decisions. If you want crumple zones, airbags, seat belts, no crumple zones.... have at it. Crashing is not something I look at when I buy a truck. Can it tow my trailer? Do I want to work on it? Those are probably the two main reasons I chose my truck.
