Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 10:45:45 +1000
Reply-To: Ian Astbury <kelian@IPRIMUS.COM.AU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ian Astbury <kelian@IPRIMUS.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: crashing....
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Sorry I don't have pictures at the moment. Maybe someone else might?
The bumper replacement is a 'c' section, about 6in deep, the verticals
extend by another couple of inches, giving about 8in of airspace before
the bodywork.
Mounted by bolting to the existing bumpermounts, and also directly to
the chassis at all 4 extensions to the front.
Due to the weight it is fully welded aluminium, steel ones tend to be
smaller and cheaper. Was offered by most dealers as an option (for a
couple of grand....).
The state restricts the design, to try and minimise negative affects,
particularly on pedestrians. Things become complicated in vehicles with
airbags, requiring the bar to be mounted on crushcans to avoid
accidental inflation's in minor knocks. There are many older 4*4's
around with homemade steel bars, made from what was lying around in the
shed at the time, that are a menace to any other road user, which is why
the state is becoming increasingly strict.
A recent innovation is bars made from polymer. Highly skeptical at
first, I saw one demonstrated, with a so equipped Hilux run into a post
at about 20km/h, enough to bend a metal bar and give the occupants a
jolt.. The plastic deformed, absorbed all the shock, and then returned
to its shape over about 5 minutes. Fascinating to watch, and kinder to
cyclists, babies prams and the like. (animals too) Dunno if it would
help if I ran into a truck at 100km/h tho'...
Often wondered why bull bars are never seen in rural areas of northern
America. They are found in some form just about everywhere else. Btw, in
vast areas of Aus, the roads are unfenced, and livestock has legal right
of way. Trouble is, semi-wild cattle don't have much road sense!
Have fun all, and keep your eyes open,
Ian.
Robert Dalton wrote:
>
> How far out does a roo bar/catcher extend? Does the
> state get involved in what you can and can't extend
> from the front of a van?
>
> I think a properly deisgned roo bar could add to
> safety in a crash by adding crush space. Any
> mechanical engineers out there who know how to design
> these things?
>
> Rob
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
> http://personals.yahoo.com
|