Car owner from 'Pimp My Ride' show accuses car modification of causing fire years afterward
In the early 2000s, MTV's Pimp My Ride became a cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences as cars underwent extraordinary transformations. However, as we look back, it's clear that the aesthetic associated with the show may not be as popular as it once was.
The programme, which first aired when the internet was a newborn baby, would likely face scrutiny from thousands of messages across social media every day. Critics question the safety of the modifications made, with Justin Dearinger, a guest on season six, sharing his experiences.
Dearinger, who had his 1997 Toyota RAV4 modified, faced numerous issues. The team fitted candles and a chocolate fountain to his car, adding features that increased distraction and complexity, potentially making the car less safe to operate. The modification process took more than a couple of weeks, contrary to the show's claims, and left Dearinger without his car for five months.
More concerning, the modifications caused Dearinger a significant headache years later. Five years after the show, his car caught fire, which may have been caused by shoddy wiring work. After the incident, the team removed some of the coolest parts of his car, as they were unsafe or illegal.
These safety concerns stemmed from modifications that compromised vehicle safety and practicality despite being visually impressive or entertaining. Other changes included installing elaborate but impractical accessories or electronics that interfered with normal car functions, alterations that affected the structural integrity or reliability of the vehicles, and customizations that ignored standard automotive safety protocols.
Commentators, including Dearinger, highlight that while the show's modifications had a strong entertainment value, many missed the mark on ensuring that the upgrades were safe and usable in everyday driving, leading to significant safety concerns from a functional standpoint.
Despite these issues, Pimp My Ride's star, Xzibit, is still a star, and West Coast Customs, the company that helped MTV with the mods, is still in business. It is unclear whether a reboot of Pimp My Ride would occur, but with the general public now more aware that most reality shows aren't real and are mostly staged, a new version might face a different reception.
As we reflect on Pimp My Ride, it's important to remember the show's impact on popular culture, but also to consider the safety concerns that arose from the modifications. While the show heavily banked on a type of aesthetic that some car fans believe might not work anymore, its legacy continues to influence car customisation trends today.
[1] Source: Justin Dearinger's interview with Jalopnik, 2017.
- Justin Dearinger, a former participant on MTV's Pimp My Ride, expressed concerns about the safety of the show's modifications, citing his own experience with a fire caused by shoddy wiring work five years after the show aired.
- The modifications made on the cars in Pimp My Ride not only had a strong entertainment value, but they also compromised safety by installing elaborate yet impractical accessories, altering vehicle structures, and ignoring standard automotive safety protocols.
- In recent years, the influence of Pimp My Ride can still be seen in car customization trends, but the show's focus on aesthetic over safety has sparked discussions about the potential dangers of such modifications, particularly given the public's increased awareness of the staged nature of reality shows.
