Not a bad idea. Some cars (like my old 70 something Mercedes 280) had
hydraulic type mounts that gave some when bumped. Perhaps these can be
fitted from a Junker.

William

> Way back in the mid-70s, there was much outrage at auto manufacturers
> charging a few hundred bucks extra for crashworthy bumpers.
>
> One of the engineering schools (Cal-Tech, perhaps, but probably not) made
> the design of a better bumper cheaper a semester project.  I don't recall
> the exact parameters of the project, but do remember that the winning
design
> used a redwood 2x6 mounted to the original bumper brackets, two rows of
full
> beer (or soda pop) cans glued to the lumber, and another 2x6 glued to the
> outsides of the beer cans.  In a collision, the cans exploded, but in
doing
> so, absorbed a bunch of energy.
>
> I'd like to propose that someone take this design and incorporate it into
> the fancy and expensive Projekt Zwo-style bumpers.  No, not a bunch of
beer
> cans, but possibly some sort of a valved hydraulic system, like horizontal
> shock absorbers between two sections of bumper.
>
> This does nothing to protect you from the vagaries of our legal system,
but
> it might tend to protect our beloved Vanagons a bit more than simply
> attaching cow catchers to them.
>
> Karl Wolz
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Phil S." <napszeerf@YAHOO.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, May 24, 2002 10:47 AM
> Subject: Re: Hung in the middle - Bumper drawings
>
>
> > Mannnn, a month ago I studied the drawings and
> > discussed this bumper in wreck scenario with some
> > welders of The List,and welders that I work with.
> >
> > IMO I have concluded that this bumper is great for
> > protecting the front from tree branches, grocery
> > carts, wheelchairs and bicycles. It is NOT as stout as
> > it looks. The way it bolts to the front end and frame
> > members is too MickeyMouse for a REAL head on 40MPH
> > collision with another car-IF THIS IS WHAT ITS PURPOSE
> > IS:)
> >
> > For this bumper to give any significant collision
> > protection, it needs to be welded to the frame members
> >
> > and the top and bottom tubes should be re-enforced
> > some how some way......but i am no welder and please
> > correct me if im wrong!
> >
> > Phil
> >
> >
> >
> > --- Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET> wrote:
> > > Phil,
> > >
> > > Think beyond your scenario.
> > >
> > > If the bumper is built hell-for-stout, and the
> > > energy of a collision has to
> > > be dissipated somewhere (rules of physics, here), to
> > > where will that energy
> > > be transferred?
> > >
> > > What is your insurance company going to say about
> > > the damage to the frame of
> > > the van (to say nothing injuries to the occupants),
> > > when the damage was
> > > arguably caused by your retrofitment of a
> > > non-standard safety device?
> > >
> > > That's a can-o'-worms that I wouldn't want to open
> > >
> > > (Aargh, worms!!!)
> > >
> > > Karl Wolz
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Phil S." <napszeerf@YAHOO.COM>
> > > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > > Sent: Friday, May 24, 2002 8:56 AM
> > > Subject: Re: Hung in the middle - Bumper drawings
> > >
> > >
> > > > Dont forget the shipping $$ for those monsters.
> > > > My biggest problem with these is that what if a
> > > car
> > > > hits this bumper, will the insurance agree to pay
> > > $850
> > > > to replace this non OEM-bumper?
> > > >
> > > > Maybe someone could make an extra bull bar bumper
> > > > mounted in front of the Volks Cafe bumper in order
> > > to
> > > > protect it AND the Vanagon:)
> > > >
> > > > Phil
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- il cikaspers <cikasper@MAIL.CRUZIO.COM> wrote:
> > > > > maybe in texas, but in santa cruz the pipe
> > > they're
> > > > > using for the front and
> > > > > rears costs about $400 for all of it.  unless
> > > i've
> > > > > been looking at
> > > > > something like stainless, which is more like
> > > $1600
> > > > > for all of it.  the
> > > > > welding and bending can certainly come to $200,
> > > and
> > > > > powdercoating another
> > > > > $200.  that's damn close to $850.
> > > > >
> > > > > yes, i know peter, yes i like volkscafe.  unless
> > > he
> > > > > has lied to me (i
> > > > > highly doubt that) they're really not making
> > > much on
> > > > > the things.  now, the
> > > > > guy that sells them to vc might be ripping them
> > > off,
> > > > > i don't know.  i seem
> > > > > to remember at least one other listee who looked
> > > > > into having these style
> > > > > bumpers made up, and he was in the $600 range
> > > for
> > > > > the pair, mounted.
> > > > >
> > > > > and stan, if you can get me pipe to that
> > > schedule, 4
> > > > > 8' pieces and one 4'
> > > > > piece, i'll send you $150 for shipping, and my
> > > > > address...
> > > > >
> > > > > bill
> > > > >
> > > > >   >Sorry guys I can't find the drawing for the
> > > rear
> > > > > bumpers Mick Kabler has
> > > > > >them for sure ...... I'll explore.
> > > > > >I'll post them to my website so everybody can
> > > get
> > > > > them.
> > > > > >I didn't mean to rant about the price these
> > > guys
> > > > > were charging for their
> > > > > >bumpers but there is only about $30.00 in
> > > materials
> > > > > (other than the
> > > > > >powder coat) just a few minor bends and really
> > > just
> > > > > dirt simple
> > > > > >construction, the pipe ends have freeze plugs
> > > > > welded on them for caps.
> > > > > >Try to remember this term "Obscene Profit" I
> > > may
> > > > > use it again if I get to
> > > > > >raving.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >Stan Wilder
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
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