Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 14:13:37 -0700
Reply-To: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: Hung in the middle - Bumper drawings
Way back in the mid-70s, there was much outrage at auto manufacturers
charging a few hundred bucks extra for crashworthy bumpers.
One of the engineering schools (Cal-Tech, perhaps, but probably not) made
the design of a better bumper cheaper a semester project. I don't recall
the exact parameters of the project, but do remember that the winning design
used a redwood 2x6 mounted to the original bumper brackets, two rows of full
beer (or soda pop) cans glued to the lumber, and another 2x6 glued to the
outsides of the beer cans. In a collision, the cans exploded, but in doing
so, absorbed a bunch of energy.
I'd like to propose that someone take this design and incorporate it into
the fancy and expensive Projekt Zwo-style bumpers. No, not a bunch of beer
cans, but possibly some sort of a valved hydraulic system, like horizontal
shock absorbers between two sections of bumper.
This does nothing to protect you from the vagaries of our legal system, but
it might tend to protect our beloved Vanagons a bit more than simply
attaching cow catchers to them.
Karl Wolz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil S." <napszeerf@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2002 10:47 AM
Subject: Re: Hung in the middle - Bumper drawings
> Mannnn, a month ago I studied the drawings and
> discussed this bumper in wreck scenario with some
> welders of The List,and welders that I work with.
>
> IMO I have concluded that this bumper is great for
> protecting the front from tree branches, grocery
> carts, wheelchairs and bicycles. It is NOT as stout as
> it looks. The way it bolts to the front end and frame
> members is too MickeyMouse for a REAL head on 40MPH
> collision with another car-IF THIS IS WHAT ITS PURPOSE
> IS:)
>
> For this bumper to give any significant collision
> protection, it needs to be welded to the frame members
>
> and the top and bottom tubes should be re-enforced
> some how some way......but i am no welder and please
> correct me if im wrong!
>
> Phil
>
>
>
> --- Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET> wrote:
> > Phil,
> >
> > Think beyond your scenario.
> >
> > If the bumper is built hell-for-stout, and the
> > energy of a collision has to
> > be dissipated somewhere (rules of physics, here), to
> > where will that energy
> > be transferred?
> >
> > What is your insurance company going to say about
> > the damage to the frame of
> > the van (to say nothing injuries to the occupants),
> > when the damage was
> > arguably caused by your retrofitment of a
> > non-standard safety device?
> >
> > That's a can-o'-worms that I wouldn't want to open
> >
> > (Aargh, worms!!!)
> >
> > Karl Wolz
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Phil S." <napszeerf@YAHOO.COM>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Friday, May 24, 2002 8:56 AM
> > Subject: Re: Hung in the middle - Bumper drawings
> >
> >
> > > Dont forget the shipping $$ for those monsters.
> > > My biggest problem with these is that what if a
> > car
> > > hits this bumper, will the insurance agree to pay
> > $850
> > > to replace this non OEM-bumper?
> > >
> > > Maybe someone could make an extra bull bar bumper
> > > mounted in front of the Volks Cafe bumper in order
> > to
> > > protect it AND the Vanagon:)
> > >
> > > Phil
> > >
> > >
> > > --- il cikaspers <cikasper@MAIL.CRUZIO.COM> wrote:
> > > > maybe in texas, but in santa cruz the pipe
> > they're
> > > > using for the front and
> > > > rears costs about $400 for all of it. unless
> > i've
> > > > been looking at
> > > > something like stainless, which is more like
> > $1600
> > > > for all of it. the
> > > > welding and bending can certainly come to $200,
> > and
> > > > powdercoating another
> > > > $200. that's damn close to $850.
> > > >
> > > > yes, i know peter, yes i like volkscafe. unless
> > he
> > > > has lied to me (i
> > > > highly doubt that) they're really not making
> > much on
> > > > the things. now, the
> > > > guy that sells them to vc might be ripping them
> > off,
> > > > i don't know. i seem
> > > > to remember at least one other listee who looked
> > > > into having these style
> > > > bumpers made up, and he was in the $600 range
> > for
> > > > the pair, mounted.
> > > >
> > > > and stan, if you can get me pipe to that
> > schedule, 4
> > > > 8' pieces and one 4'
> > > > piece, i'll send you $150 for shipping, and my
> > > > address...
> > > >
> > > > bill
> > > >
> > > > >Sorry guys I can't find the drawing for the
> > rear
> > > > bumpers Mick Kabler has
> > > > >them for sure ...... I'll explore.
> > > > >I'll post them to my website so everybody can
> > get
> > > > them.
> > > > >I didn't mean to rant about the price these
> > guys
> > > > were charging for their
> > > > >bumpers but there is only about $30.00 in
> > materials
> > > > (other than the
> > > > >powder coat) just a few minor bends and really
> > just
> > > > dirt simple
> > > > >construction, the pipe ends have freeze plugs
> > > > welded on them for caps.
> > > > >Try to remember this term "Obscene Profit" I
> > may
> > > > use it again if I get to
> > > > >raving.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >Stan Wilder
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
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