Bulletproofing a vehicle takes car safety to another level. When you think of bulletproof cars, you may imagine police cars and celebrity vehicles, but you too can have a bulletproof car. It can cost between $14,000 and $100,000 or more to bulletproof a vehicle. Here’s what you need to know about bulletproofing cars.
How Much Does It Cost to Bulletproof a Car?
Bulletproofing a car is time-consuming and can be expensive. It’s a good idea to let a professional bulletproof your vehicle instead of making it a long, drawn-out DIY project. The more protection you require for your car, the more money it will cost to bulletproof your vehicle. On average, bulletproofing a car ranges between $8,000 and $20,000 for basic vehicle armor, likely for small vehicles. Paying this amount of money to bulletproof your vehicle will include:
- Side window protection (include your rear windows)
- Windshield protection
- Front door panels and reinforced steel doors (driver and passenger sides)
- Heavy-duty tires (to prevent punctures from bullets)
The price of creating an armored car is one factor you need to consider when you’re interested in bulletproofing your vehicle.
Types of Bulletproof Cars
All armored vehicles can be classified as bulletproof in a certain aspect. There are different types of bulletproof cars you need to consider if you’re interested in a bulletproof car.
Discrete Bulletproofing
Discrete bulletproofing is usually performed on standard cars. This method of vehicle bulletproofing is the easiest method of all the available bulletproofing methods. Aside from being the most affordable, there are a variety of pros and cons that need to be considered based on your unique situation.
Commercial Armored Bulletproofing
Commercial armored vehicles are armored cars that are available directly from the factory. These vehicles provide different features of an armored vehicle, giving drivers a fully equipped armored vehicle.
Custom Made Bulletproof Vehicles
Custom-made bulletproof vehicles provide the best value for your money. Although the price of a custom bulletproof vehicle is slightly higher than other bulletproof vehicles, you have access to a variety of features.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Bulletproof Car
When you’re bulletproofing your car, there are different factors you need to consider.
Doors and Frame
Standard car doors are not able to stop a bullet. Traditional vehicle doors are the easiest part of a car to bulletproof because standard car doors are hollow. These traditional vehicle doors can be opened and resealed with new material. In order to bulletproof the frame and doors of a car, you will need strong hinges and a selection of materials, including security bolts, to accommodate the weight of the new door.
Protecting the Engine
When it comes to gunfire, you need to make sure your entire engine is protected. To ensure your car’s engine is fully protected, bulletproof armor also needs to be put under the vehicle. You need to make sure the vehicle’s engine can handle the extra weight of the armor you’re putting on the car, so you need something that has enough horsepower to handle the additional weight without compromising a vehicle’s performance.
Consider the Vehicle’s Interior
Gunfire can come from outside the vehicle as well as the inside of the vehicle. If the protection on the outside of your vehicle becomes compromised, it’s a good idea to have the necessary protection on the inside of the vehicle. One of the factors you need to focus on when it comes to the protection on the inside of the vehicle are the seats and barriers. You should also consider padding the inside of your car. Padding in your vehicle serves as extra protection for you and your passengers.
Glass and Windows
There are different methods that can be used to secure your glass boundaries, but regardless of the method you use, you need to make sure you secure the areas where the glass and frame meet. Without proper panels for these areas, they become weak points for your car, regardless of the ballistics glass you use. Make sure the panes you use for your bulletproof car are thicker than standard available factory sheets.
You also need to ensure your vehicle is recalibrated to accommodate the new panes, which are thicker and heavier than standard panes. If you want these new pans to function like traditional car windows, you’ll need to make sure your car’s motor is strong enough to properly move the heavy glass.
Rolling With the Tires
If you blow a tire, your vehicle is significantly compromised. Your vehicle’s tires are rubber, which is not bulletproof material. If one of your vehicle’s tires is shot, the tire will be punctured, making it easier for you to lose control of your car. When you have your car bulletproofed by a professional, they will install a run-flat tire system on your vehicle, which helps you maintain speed and control of your vehicle.
Other Factors You Need to Consider When You’re Bulletproofing Your Vehicle
Bulletproofing a vehicle is an awesome idea, but you need to make sure you’re going about things the right way for the best results.
Don’t Make Your Car Heavier Than Necessary
Making your car heavier than necessary will not benefit you or your new bulletproof car. Although your car will be heavier than normal because of the armor you put on it, it doesn’t need to be excessively heavy because it makes it harder for you to get in and out of the car or escape an emergency situation.
Centering Gravity
It’s important that the floor armor of your vehicle is heavier than the armor/plating on the roof of your vehicle to help with balancing the center of gravity. Your vehicle requires balance to function properly.
Following Rules and Regulations
There are specific rules and regulations that need to be followed when you are the owner of an armored, bulletproof vehicle. Once you have your vehicle, you will have to register your car because the government likes to keep track of who owns these types of vehicles. You will have to follow a unique process to ensure you are not getting one of these vehicles for the wrong reasons.
Being the owner of a bulletproof vehicle is pretty cool, but it might involve more work than you originally anticipated. Make sure you follow these tips and advice to ensure you can enjoy your vehicle, and it serves its purpose.
