>I then thought of what
>might have happened if all the kinetic energy from the collision had gone
>into a rigid bumper.  Would the damage have been so easily repaired or would
>a sturdy bumper have transferred the forces more deeply into the structural
>elements of the van requiring repairs which are seldom done correctly?  I
>have opted to run the stock bumpers and have my buddy, Chuck the bodyman,
>bump out the fenderbenders as they occur instead of him having to strap the
>van into his frame machine to try to make it whole again.

A valid worry. Even with the stock bumper, a big hit will crack the filler
& paint in seams from one end of the vehicle to the other. Water will then
enter and let the rust begin. This has happened to 2 of my cars. Sold the
diesel Skyline after rust stains began to appear in rear door and rear
apron seams; I had T-boned a nerdess who turned illegally in front of me.
The diesel Corolla sedan is still rusting; A-pillars are near to
perforation, and this is due to 3 rear-end shunts in as many months. Roads
here are not salted.

Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin, New Zealand
fax 64 (3) 479-7527
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
VW van (something for every man), Toyota diesel & seashell nut
Macintosh 7500/200/64, 6116/60/24, LCIII, LC, Classic, Plus
Even though Mac Users may be only 10% of the market,
             always remember that we are the TOP 10%