Upgrading an older van question/discussion. Part One - Airbags.

[Paul and Val]

Hello fellow road warriors.
For various reasons we are looking to buy an inexpensive motorhome. A lot of the stuff that we have been considering is from around 1998 through to 2006.
One obvious problem is that motorhomes of this vintage do not have driver airbags. A safety feature which I feel is essential.
Does anybody know if an airbag can be retro fitted from a later airbag equipped model?
The actual steering wheels with airbags are simple to remove and remount.
Despite being reasonably knowledgeable about mechanics I have absolutely no idea if the airbag has sensors in the actual steering wheel or elsewhere as well. If there are other sensors where, generally are they and is there any other things that need to be changed?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Paul

 

[busbuddy]

I'm sure the fiat/citroen/peugeot base vehicles had drivers airbag before 1998

 

[Phill D]

If you want a van with airbag then in my opinion you need to buy one that had it as std.
Vehicles with airbags tend to have shock sensors fitted in a few locations.
Also, if you want a passenger aid bag then they are often an extra even on vans a young as 2015.

 

[Landy Andy]

I can’t believe they are retro fit item, due to the required sensors, And personally not something I see as essential.

 

[PP Bear]

Sorry as those have said before me, you can’t retro fit an airbag to either drivers or passenger side. Far too many sensors, decelarometers, ani-yaw etc, sensors to prevent electronic detonate, plus the passenger one is normally fitted into the dash and you can’t fit into a non airbag dash.

Cant imagine one going off for no reason as it could kill you or your passenger.

Mines a 2006 Fiat Ducato and has no airbag (has an old bag full of hot air when driving) and it doesn’t bother me in the slightest if I don’t have them fitted.

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[Paul and Val]

I can’t believe they are retro fit item, due to the required sensors, And personally not something I see as essential.

No, but I do.
My girlfriend was killed in a car crash on her way home from work due to no airbag which would probably have saved her life.
A passenger airbag is desirable but less essential. It is the steering wheel/column which is more dangerous and likely to cause worse injuries. Hence my desire to fit one. I don't think I would buy a car/motorhome without one.
Thank you, Paul.

 

[busbuddy]

Mines a 2006 Fiat Ducato and has no airbag (has an old bag full of hot air when driving) and it doesn’t bother me in the slightest if I don’t have them fitted.

I thought from 2002 the drivers airbag was standard on a fiat

 

[Phill D]

No, but I do.
My girlfriend was killed in a car crash on her way home from work due to no airbag which would probably have saved her life.
A passenger airbag is desirable but less essential. It is the steering wheel/column which is more dangerous and likely to cause worse injuries. Hence my desire to fit one. I don't think I would buy a car/motorhome without one.
Thank you, Paul.

If it’s that important to you then you should only buy a van that is ready fitted with the system.
Really no other option

 

[PP Bear]

I thought from 2002 the drivers airbag was standard on a fiat

I didn’t know that, but I don’t have one fitted to my 2.8JTD

 

[Feltwell]

I've got a 2006 X244 Ducato, so the very last of the 02-06 models, and it has a factory fit drivers airbag in the steering wheel.

That's the only one, but to be honest with the very upright seating position the passenger is so far from the dashboard that they'd never hit it in an impact, if the seatbelt restrains them.

All vans of this vintage have ABS as well.

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[Mikeco]

My 2012 Peugeot Boxer only has a drivers air bag so there isn’t one on the wife’s side but it doesn’t bother me.

 

[Paul and Val]

I'm sure the fiat/citroen/peugeot base vehicles had drivers airbag before 1998

Thank you, that is very interesting and I will have a look.

 

[Paul and Val]

If it’s that important to you then you should only buy a van that is ready fitted with the system.
Really no other option

After studying the above feedback on a topic I know little about, I think it clear that it is NOT an option to retrofit an airbag so I will search for a vehicle with an airbag and look at fitting air-con and if possible improving performance.
Thank you for all the above thoughts but unless anybody has any contra information, I think we can reject the idea of retro fitting an airbag. Thanks to all.
Paul

 

[VXman]

My 2012 Peugeot Boxer only has a drivers air bag so there isn’t one on the wife’s side but it doesn’t bother me.

I'm intrigued. Are you the Driver or the wife?

 

[busbuddy]

Thank you, that is very interesting and I will have a look.

When I researched before my current 2003 fiat purchase I understood that fiat started to offer drivers airbag as an option about 95/96 and the drivers airbag became standard with the 2002 facelift....... but it seems that may be not be 100% accurate

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[Paul and Val]

I'm intrigued. Are you the Driver or the wife?

What a stupid mistake I made!
Re-reading my comment, I obviously did not make myself sound clear. I do not mean that my wife does not matter to me, very much the opposite! I drive about 75% of the time so for a reasonable time I sit on the passenger side.
What I meant to say, and thank you for correcting me, or allowing me to clarify, is that I think a passenger airbag is less important and would not stop me buying a vehicle. NOT that the passenger was unimportant.
I am VERY glad to have clarified that!

 

[Phill D]

What a stupid mistake I made!
Re-reading my comment, I obviously did not make myself sound clear. I do not mean that my wife does not matter to me, very much the opposite! I drive about 75% of the time so for a reasonable time I sit on the passenger side.
What I meant to say, and thank you for correcting me, or allowing me to clarify, is that I think a passenger airbag is less important and would not stop me buying a vehicle. NOT that the passenger was unimportant.
I am VERY glad to have clarified that!

You have misread the post you are now responding to, it was a response to Mikeco not you.

 

[Mikeco]

I'm intrigued. Are you the Driver or the wife?

I’m the driver but I should have put a at the end

 

[Mikeco]

As far aircon is concerned my 2012 Boxer does not have it but I did fit a 12v fan above which helps a bit, also handy when parked up.
Edit. Posted on wrong thread but never mind.

 

[Paul and Val]

You have misread the post you are now responding to, it was a response to Mikeco not you.

You are right! For once, not guilty!
Sorry, it's been a long day..........

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[Reallyretired]

My 2009 Ford transit has driver and passenger airbags. Dont know when they introduced them.