Date:         Sun, 19 Dec 2004 12:18:01 -0800
Reply-To:     BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 91 Carat Front Bumper
Comments: To: Trvlr2001@aol.com
In-Reply-To:  <1f9.378e6d2.2ef7173f@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 12:41:19 EST, No Name Available <Trvlr2001@aol.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
> I have an 85, that I would like to install the bumpers & trim on,
> from a 90 Carat parts bus that I have.
> How big of a job is it?
> Any pointers?
> TIA,
> John C.
> SLC, UT....

John,

The mounting points of the fiberglass bumpers are slightly different
from the metal bumpers. The two front bolts need to be replaced with
the ones that came with the fiberglass bumper. They are Allen
headbolts vs. the 13mm bolts on the steel bumpers. That's the easiest
part.

The lower part of the glass bumper has a metal bracket that is
supposed to bolt onto a metal bracket which is welded into the
fiberglass bumper-equipped vans. You will need to either cut take this
from the donor van and weld it to yours or use some very big washers
to make up the difference. The brackets on he fiberglass bumpers will
fall about 1/2 inch lower than the front diagonal members that they
are supposed to bolt to. I used cut-up sections of nylon cutting board
as giant washers to solve that problem.

As for the top of the bumper, the fiberglass bumpers are supported by
ribs built into the bumper itself plus two steel tabs welded to the
front bumper structure. I cut the old one out of the donor van and
riveted it into place. You can weld them if you so desire. If that
piece is not available, you can make up some steel supports out of
stock steel from the local hardware store. Or go the route of using
nylon supports there too.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you need even more specific information.

BenT