Seat failure in a rear end crash?

[rickhans]

I got in on the tail end of a story on seat failures in vehicles so I did not see all of the detail. One of the vehicles was a Ram with the split front seats. It was rear ended which caused the seat back to collapse throwing the driver into the back seat. Does any one have any detail on this, and how common it is?

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98. 5 24V QC 4x4 SB 3:54 5sp

 

[Idaho Native]

Had a '94 GMC extended cab that had a 60/40 split front bench. Was recalled for that very reason... seat back latching mechanism replaced due to a high failure rate in rear-end collisions.

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1999 24V 2500 QC HD,5 Spd, Luverne Steps, Predator Topper, Engine Unbombed (not for long)
1995 Impala SS, Dark Cherry Metallic
1995 Dutchmen 26 foot travel trailer (the reason for the diesel!!)
1997 Honda Shadow ACE 1100
(Too Many Toys

 

[willyslover]

I parked mine into a tree at 40+ MPH seat is just fine. . my dainty 350 lbs didn't break it down. . think your safe. . lol

 

[Bill Stockard]

Rick,

Here's the story that was on Channel 8 WFAA-TV in Dallas, TX.
http://www.wfaa.com/mainpack/1,2606,1056,00.html

Bill

 

[rickhans]

Thanks for the link. I would sure like to know if the '98 has a different and stronger seat. I sure don't want my head to end up in my rear window.

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98. 5 24V QC 4x4 SB 3:54 5sp

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Your Quad cab has a totally different seat. before 1998 they didn't make a Quad cab and the seatbelt was attached to the body of the truck. The QC seats have the belts integral to the seat itself. That style of seat has to be much stronger. My brother is an ME and did a lot of seat design work for Lear Corporation (they supply the seats for our trucks) - you wouldn't believe how severe some of the testing is!

-Steve

 

[Rattler]

Rick, two years ago, a friend of mine was rear-ended by a 70 model chevy pickup. This pushed him into the rear of a late model ford. The chevy was doing about 45 and the other trucks were sitting still. It did break the seat in the dodge. It is a 97 1\2 ton 4x4 club cab. No one was hurt, but the chevy and ford were taken away on roll-backs and the Dodge drove home.

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Rattlin' Randy J 1999 Quad-Cab, 2500, 5-Speed, 4x4, Short-Bed, Rhinolined,
Limited Slip, Tow Package, Camper Special,K&N filter, staight exhaust with 5 inch
chrome tip,diamond tread alu. tool box ,Centerline Rattler wheels with 285-75 BFG's,Also 1971 Convertible Barracuda Tored
340 4-Speed

 

[Missouri Mule]

In the article it seemed to hint that the Dodge was moving when rear ended.
"The difference in speed between Bell's Dodge Ram pickup and the truck that hit him was just 18. 3 miles per hour, according to tests Saczalski conducted. " I wonder how fast they were actually going.
I was rear ended in highschool at traffic light. I was driving 69 Opel Kadet the car that it me was large Olds or Buick. when I recoiled off steering wheel(yes I was wearing seat belt) I bent the seat back(metal frame) to about 60 percent angle in stead or 90.
I drove the car home but the insurance company totaled it.
If the seat is as strong or stronger than Opel's I can live with it.