Date:         Tue, 17 Nov 1998 20:44:58 EST
Reply-To:     MW575@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         MW575@AOL.COM
Subject:      Rear Bumper Concerns
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Hey folks;

I recently replaced the rear bumper on my '85 Westy with a new one (old one
was a little crunched from the PO).  I guess I've always known how flimsy they
are, but installing the new one really got my attention.  I doubt this thing
could withstand a 1 MPH bump and not fold in half.  I'm not to concerned about
the bumper itself - they're relativity cheap compared to the other costs (and
hassle) that would occur from a small bump - say 5 or 10 mph.

I don't like the looks of some of the aftermarket bumpers or the home-made
tubular ones.  Are the non-carat bumpers used in the late 80's or 90 (looks
like black rubber from a distance - I haven't been close enough to examine)
any better supported than the cheap stuff used in the early 80's?

I went to a local welder and asked about welding something that would fit
between the brackets the bumper bolts to, and would fit inside of the current
flimsy bumper.  He said he could weld a 2" x 3" tube between the brackets, but
was concerned about what might happen in a crash to the frame - it could be
bent more than it would without such a modification.   The welder said he
could do the job for $100, which seems like a cheap insurance policy in the
case of a 5-10 mile bump, if it would do the job of protecting some of the
engine.  Any thoughts anyone?