I don't know of a good aftermarket utility bumper that has any asthetics to
it, but this brings to mind an idea I have been toying with...

What I am thinking about is filling the interior of the cheesy stock bumper
($600 at the CDN dealer, btw) with a wooden insert that's formed to fit.

This would give it some crush resistance, not add much weight, and be not
too hard to make with the right power tools.

I don'y know the radius of the curves in the cross section, but I don't
think they're that big - so we wouldn't need a monster bit in a router.

I bet a table saw, a band saw, and a router would be most of what's needed.

I think if I get a new bumper in the near future, I'll just give it a try
before I install it.

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy
----- Original Message -----
From: "The Wilsons" <coyote808@COX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2002 11:03 PM
Subject: Utility rear bumpers ?

> We've got a 86 Sycro Westy that has been the family windsurf mobile since
> new.  We've been through 4 back bumpers over the years.  The stock version
> is real flimsy.  One little tap and they bend like a pretzel.  They're
also
> not very easy to stand on (necessary for stacking sailboards on top).
>
> My current solution is an oak 2" X 4".  Hoping to do better.  Anyone know
of
> a supplier of good sturdy utility type after-market rear bumpers?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mike Wilson
> coyote808@cox.net