Date:         Mon, 15 May 2006 01:29:15 EDT
Reply-To:     Oxroad@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Qs: Downgrading to fiberglass bumper and spoiler
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I'm retrofitting the later model fiberglass front bumper and spoiler to  my
83.5 Westy. They have both been painted (thanks for the advice). Now  there are
questions:

1. What has anyone done to replicate the metal front supports for the
fiberglass bumper that do not exist with the metal bumper? These are the risers
that support the top of the fiberglass bumper near each end of the bumper. In a
factory installation the risers are welded to the body and the top the bumper
merely rests on the riser. (I suppose this is so a limited weight on the top
of  the bumper like someone parking their butt there doesn't crack the
fiberglass).  I would prefer to avoid any welding.

2. The lower door protection trim (the "extension" of the front bumper to
the bottom of the front doors) is mounted from the factory with the 'bracket for
 trim protection" riveted to the door. Could this trim bracket be screwed to
the  door instead of riveted?

3. I see the spoiler when factory mounted is secured by bolts into a
"riveted cap nut" (part # N 030 400 1). From ETKA it's hard to tell how the  riveted
cap nut is secured in the body and it seems it might be complicated and  I
dare say unnecessary Can the spoiler be screwed directly to the body with  sheet
metal or parker screws-or is that a bad idea?

Thanks,
Jeff
83.5 Westy
LA,CA