Susan,  I say don't go for the big bumpers.  I have aircooled. net ones and
they are too heavy IMO and they boilt on only in 4 places on the front and 4
places on the rear.  The "powder coating" is about as good as a paint job on
mine and has chipped easily.  I'll probably wax them to protect them more.

If you go with rap around bumpers like these, try to find smaller diameter
tubing.

But I think you should stick with your original idea and get a brush guard
with a bull bar that you can attach options to.  Seems like you could modify
a toyoto brush guard or other aftermarket one so long as the the mounting
points underneath line up with the van frame rails.  I'm surprised there
isn't an inexpensive known source for these.  Let the list know if you find
out, I'd be interested to hear.

>From: Susan Alfrey <svalfrey@COMCAST.NET>
>Reply-To: Susan Alfrey <svalfrey@COMCAST.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Vanagon bumpers
>Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2006 23:08:28 -0700
>
>Anybody out there know of a source for a Brushguard for the '84 Vanagon --
>or some nasty alloy bumpers??? We're in Tucson and go crawling around in
>some rough areas..... Thinking about the possibility of a winch???? The
>sand
>in Mexico can be tough! Also smacked a deer with my unprotected Eurovan and
>had it in the shop for nearly 4 months!!!!
>
>
>HVA / Tucson