Date:         Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:47:06 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Chin Spoiler from Home Depot Racing shop..
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

  This afternoon I installed an inexpensive aerodynamic "chin-spoiler" or
front air dam to my 84.  Took under one hour. It looks like it came that way
from Germany (almost).  I had some garden edging PVC extrusion left over
from my racecar..had to buy the whole roll, I recall, but it was cheap.  I
was cleaning out the shop and almost tossed it, then I decided to see how
difficult it would be to stick something on the van to help direct air
around  rather than underneath.
  So, this stuff is about 4", black, almost a perfect match for the other
black plastic crap on the bumper, etc.  It comes with a flange you're
supposed to bury in your garden to contain the  Beauty Bark,  with the other
edge having a nice tubular detail, about 1" diameter molded into the stuff.
I cut off the anchor flange (you can use a pocket knife even) and cut two
slots, one for the spare tire release and one for a tow hook I have on my
right frame member.
  Below and behind the bumper there's a perfect body flange (welded joint).
I used just 6 pop rivets and attached the air dam to that after drilling
some appropriate holes.  Almost done right there, and it looks great.  I
used a disc sander to shape the ends, just under the bumper ends, to a
pleasing shape that sort of goes with the lines of the van.  The ends
were/are a little floppy and I figured they might fold under at speed, so
.....for now, I found a piece of aluminum stock I had kicking around and
just shoved it through the bottom tubular detail to give the ends of the dam
some support..The shape of the mounting flange (so kindly provided by Fritz
and Franz when they stuck the body together) gives the airdam plenty of
rigidity (except the ends) but if it should get snagged on a stump or
something,  it'd probably spring out and back with no harm.  They work like
that on a race car anyhow.
  I will probably find another or refine my bottom 'batten'  to exactly
match the curve of the dam to the curve of the bumper..if I bother. It's so
close now you'd never notice.
  Now, theory says this should help fuel economy.  Front air dams come on
most newer vehicles for that purpose.  So, for 1/2 hours work and maybe $4
worth of material, it can't hurt.  And it does not look hokey or added on,
it looks right.
  I could send P-mail pics out unless there's a way to post em to the
Vanagon list...somewhere..
  Don Hanson