Though this does not mean too much for most ppl. But for those who are curious why the North American models are slightly longer than the Japanese models and for those who are looking to partake in a JDM conversion, here is the reason why!

Frontal shot


In Japan they do not use the absorber and the length of the rebar is slightly shorter



As you can see here for height wise, the North American models is about 6inches longer due to the relatively bigger sized front rebar. As for the rear, the Japanese models do not even use them at all! Safety vs Style? which would you choose?

 

Ramming speed!

 

Safety in this case.

 

Wow, Great pictures.
You can really see wher the 6 inches was added in the front!

 

awesome. if there was only a way to get a cheaper one...

 

this may sound kinda funny, but will converting to the jdm front end effect the airbags in anyway? like will a minor fender bender engage them? or are the sensors mounted in the same location on both models to where it really doesnt make that big of a difference. i have access to all the parts and seriously considering it, i just dont want it to "blow up in my face" lol

 

style for sure I didn't even have air bag in my DC5 haha

 

Aren't the airbag sensors inertia not impact driven? That means actual placement in relation to the physical impact point is more flexible (per something I saw at the NAIAS this year).

 

How heavy are those pieces? I'm consiering fabbing up an Aluminum version.

 

it is possible, i have never really bothered to research how the srs system functions

 

someone should fab up a template that could be cheaper than getting the whole front end!

:P

 

If the whole rest of the world thinks the Japanese one is sufficient, I think it's good enough for me too. I personally would choose Style all the way. As of tomorrow my family will have owned our '86 Accord for 20 years, and never have we felt unsafe with its zero airbags and lack of modern-day safety devices. Perhaps I just have faith in my ability to avoid accidents.

However, if I was buying the Fit for a loved one, I certainly wouldn't think of changing the bumper.

 

well, the US does have a zillion pigturd SUVs raping the streets so I think the US rebar will stay.

 

Did not get a chance to weigh them but definately the JDM one is HALF the weight of the North American one

 

That is what I'm pissed about but ours is safer... Thanks for the shots

 

this is not really about safety, it's about not damaging your car in a minor bump.

fyi - suv's are exempt from bumber requirements and can run you thousands if you, say, bump a pole at 3 mph, whereas a car will bounce right off. of course, due to height differences, if you hit an suv in your fit your headlights will take the impact. which sucks.

 

yea that

 

I think this is hilarious!!!