Feds don't want your ride pimped, fine WCC 16K
By Ryan Block 
posted December 30th 2004 11:45AM
posted December 30th 2004 11:45AM
We have a feeling Xzibit's gonna go lay down some serious smack on whichever fed (heretofore referred to as "the man") fined Pimp My Ride's West Coast Customs $16,000. Dude, all they did was start removing airbags and installing DVD players and LCDs in the remaining cavities! What's your problem! Actually, we can kind of understand why the man did this, safety regulations and all, but we're pretty sure West Coast Customs is operating under the logic that if you drop $20,000 on mods into your beat up jalopy (or H2, alike), then you're probably going to drive a little more carefully than the average road-warrior. But that that's not actually been our experience driving on the roads with such people it neither here nor there, is it?
That's a bunch of BS..!
"It's not only a bad idea to disable the air bag, it's against the law. Air bags are there for a purpose, to protect you. If you have a DVD player there instead of an air bag, it's not going to protect you in a crash."
Against the law? I have 2 cars without airbags...
since when was disabling airbags illegal? They can be disabled for childseats (in most pickups)...
Although the show is funny and amazing, it's not my style, but I don't agree with the fines.
Some cars have air bags and some don't.
Simple as that.
Yo check it. What about dem like "unpimpable" rides dat da WCC deemed so unsafe dat dey just like gave them poor l'il kids brand new ones (toyota 4-runner & scion)? Seems like top form getting those piece of sh%t whips off of the road. Maybe da man should recognize and check himself before he wreck himself. Respek.
Dennis.. I think the law is all cars made after X year (not sure of the year) must have airbags. It's just like if you have a really old car, you can get away w/o having a seatbelt... since they weren't on all cars then.
What if the car is brand new and in a minor fender bender, which deploys all airbags (front and side)...this more or less totals the car depending on the model, but suppose a brand new mercedes would need about $20G to reinstall the airbags proper (which I have heard of happening). And instead of dropping the loot on fixing the damn airbags, you replace the scratched bumber and install an LCD in the wheel. Can they fine you for not spending $20G?
If not, then Xzibit could 'accidentally' hit a telephone pole on the way to WCC, and WCC rips out the deployed airbags.
Also there is that philosophical garbage of requiring people to keep themselves safe. Who is to say I need to be careful with myself? It reminds me of the time the po-po shot someone to prevent him from commiting suicide.
Short story: You watch your ass and I'll watch mine.
End of line.
Funny. Must've been 1995-96 when they first mandated airbags. I know my '94 VW Golf doesn't have them and it slipped in just under the wire.
If you get in a fender bender and your airbags deploy, generally replacing/reinstalling the airbags is part of the repair estimate, which should be covered by insurance (probably another cause of increasing insurance rates over the past 10 years). Who would have a Mercedes, potentially worth six-figures, and not have insurance or think nothing of dropping $20g on a new airbag? Doesn't compute.
Personally, I think the only thing that should replace an airbag, besides a replacement airbag, is a 12" steel spike.
You guys are missing the point...they got fined for removing a working airbag which is against the law(sort of like how removing a working catlytic converter is against the law)
~wC
Removing a working catlytic converter is comperable to removing an airbag? Apples to oranges. Airbags can save lives but don't really have any effect until they're needed. Personally, I drive a mid-80s midsize Blazer and I'm very glad that I don't have an airbag system. Deer are very previlant here and I hit 2 in a 1 month period. Both times I was travelling 55 mph and got by with nothing more than a dented bumper, broken grill, and a broken headlight shroud. I don't even want to think about what would have happened in either situation if an airbag deployed obstructing my view or imparing my ability to control the vehicle. Airbags wouldn't be required if car makers were permitted to sell engines sitting on 4 wheels with a fiberglass body just begging to get destroyed on impact with anything! If anything I would compare the airbag disabling to cutting the tags off of a matress. The next thing you know they will be fined for installing sound systems in the vehicles that aren't in compliance with noise ordinances or exceed maximum levels as set by the FCC. What I would like to know is how the situation arose: Someone who saw the show reported WCC, an agent reported them, one of the car owners got a mechanic to look at their car who called in the violation, one was in an accident, etc.
Momobile, Do you think you could speak English instead of "Gangsta". Do think anyone actually listens to your opinion when you cant even spell "that" or "them"? And just so you know its spelled respect not "respek". You sir, are a moron. "The Man" is not wrecking himself. People like you are wrecking your community. Ya hear dawg?
PS. You should listen to Bill Cosbey. He knows whats going on.
Two points:
1. The way I understand it, crash test and safety approvals are based on all of a car's safety features; they're built and tested to be interrelated. If you take one of those safety elements away, the vehicle could be far more unsafe. Older cars without airbags were built in a different manner to be satisfactorily safe.
2. It would be a lawsuit waiting to happen if the owner ever tried to sell it. If the owner sells the car without mentioning its safety risks, the new owner could have a wreck, become injured due to the lack of airbags (or the presence of the replacement equipment), and the seller could be liable for it.
Just my two cents.
its funny if i remember correctly the whole airbag thing was touted as an optional feature at first....i really can't remember tho when it became some sort of law to have them installed....liability aside i completely dissagree with any law that would fine someone for not takeing steps to protect themselves...no goverment should be telling me i have to fix my airbag for my protection...and if i do sell it..it would be on the condition of as-is...with the airbag missing fully dissclosed no harm no foul...
you all forget we live in a country of lost accountability. If someone else can tell me how to live my life such that if anything happens I am no longer accountable, thats what I want.
Then they get it, and so do you, whether you want it or not. So the mentally lacking majority ruins it for the minority of people that remember how to use their brains.
Welcome to the new world order, if you don't like it, revolt and be called a raving zealot by those that do, then the feds come and burn down your house while NPR and CNN run shows trying to figure out "why did he want to live his life this way? who would want to be accountable for their actions?
...
Hey i realy really want my ride pimed can you help my out please! This is my fav show ans i will get an old beat up car if you dont pimp it out. You r supposto help people like me so pleas pimp my ride mtv
The federal gov't deems that car 'safe' to operate and sell with ALL the safety components it was originally desined and tested with. They do not test these vehicles without the airbags and have no way of knowing whether the car will still pass without the use of the airbag. Especially considering the car was designed to pass these tests WITH airbags. Therefore, you cannot remove ANY safety items on a car that came equipped with the vehicle from the manufaturer. Are people really that stupid to prefer a tv over saving someones life? Jesus. Why is there even a debate about this.
this is what west coast customs should have showed on mtv look at this