>I then thought of what >might have happened if all the kinetic energy from the collision had gone >into a rigid bumper. Would the damage have been so easily repaired or would >a sturdy bumper have transferred the forces more deeply into the structural >elements of the van requiring repairs which are seldom done correctly? I >have opted to run the stock bumpers and have my buddy, Chuck the bodyman, >bump out the fenderbenders as they occur instead of him having to strap the >van into his frame machine to try to make it whole again.
A valid worry. Even with the stock bumper, a big hit will crack the filler & paint in seams from one end of the vehicle to the other. Water will then enter and let the rust begin. This has happened to 2 of my cars. Sold the diesel Skyline after rust stains began to appear in rear door and rear apron seams; I had T-boned a nerdess who turned illegally in front of me. The diesel Corolla sedan is still rusting; A-pillars are near to perforation, and this is due to 3 rear-end shunts in as many months. Roads here are not salted.
Andrew Grebneff 165 Evans St, Dunedin, New Zealand fax 64 (3) 479-7527 <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz> VW van (something for every man), Toyota diesel & seashell nut Macintosh 7500/200/64, 6116/60/24, LCIII, LC, Classic, Plus Even though Mac Users may be only 10% of the market, always remember that we are the TOP 10% |
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