# 1998 Jeep Wrangler - Do I need airbags? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** jeep\ **Created:** [May 17, 2020, 4:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-jeep-wrangler-do-i-need-airbags/164423 "2020-05-17T04:53:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AHM-1355](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@AHM-1355](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AHM-1355)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 4:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-jeep-wrangler-do-i-need-airbags/164423/1 "2020-05-17T04:53:13Z")
I’m 16 and have a 98 Jeep TJ that has had a front and rear bumper replacement which cancelled out the airbag sensors, so now it has airbags but they will not activate because there is no sensor, and I guess my question is it something I should fix? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 12:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-jeep-wrangler-do-i-need-airbags/164423/2 "2020-05-17T12:24:47Z")
Yes……………………………………… ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 12:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-jeep-wrangler-do-i-need-airbags/164423/3 "2020-05-17T12:41:01Z")
Are you sure the sensors were disabled? Most aftermarket bumpers just bolt on to the frame rails and do not affect the sensors. If there is a off-road 4X4 specialty shop in your area they might verify whether or not they were disconnected. A body shop would be another source of help. But yes, they should be connected and functional. ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-jeep-wrangler-do-i-need-airbags/164423/4 "2020-05-17T17:45:15Z")
Since it’s illegal in at least some states to disable or tamper with air bags you could get in trouble driving it. [https://firstquarterfinance.com/is-it-illegal-to-drive-without-airbags/#In-Summary](https://firstquarterfinance.com/is-it-illegal-to-drive-without-airbags/#In-Summary) ---
**Author:** ![tcmichnorth](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tcmichnorth/32/25126_2.png) [@tcmichnorth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tcmichnorth)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-jeep-wrangler-do-i-need-airbags/164423/5 "2020-05-18T15:37:12Z")
Ask your mother and do what she says. She loves you more than you do. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-jeep-wrangler-do-i-need-airbags/164423/6 "2020-05-18T15:42:01Z")
> [@davepsinbox\_157004](#): > > Since it’s illegal in at least some states to disable or tamper with air bags you could get in trouble driving it. Additionally, if the OP is injured in a collision and the insurance company finds out that the airbags were non-functional, they might refuse to pay a medical claim for his injuries. Yes, he needs to get the airbags working again, for multiple reasons. ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-jeep-wrangler-do-i-need-airbags/164423/7 "2020-05-18T16:11:54Z")
Hm. A relatively unstable vehicle being driven by an inexperienced teenager. Yeah, I would go with airbags for sure.