David  That looks real solid for sure, but those edges are going to
take out someone's shins.  I couldn't see what you ran into the
mounting channel holes, but my bumper project is going to totally
fill those channels with 1.5x2.5" 3/16" channel and likely use the
same for the bar that goes across the rear.  Then I'll cover it with
diamond plate and powder coat as funds become available.  Haven't
figured out how to finish off the sides yet and I don't want slat and
crap collecting underneath.  If I put a receiver on the bottom, it
would be for show mostly The guy that's welding all this for me was
certified to weld on nuclear subs, so I have confidence in him.  He
also said that  any rear impact of great velocity would shear the
bolts holding the bumper and shove the channel up in to the rest of
the cavity before crumpling the rear of the van.  I wasn't looking
for energy absorbing stuff, just a nice semi sanitary bumper I can
stand on with confidence when loading and unloading kayaks and canoes.

The front bumper will also be diamond plate, but haven't figured out
how to deal with the curves yet and how to finish the top lip as it
relates to the lip on the body.  I'll build a particle board mock up
first and see how it looks.

DM&FS

  At 09:45 PM 1/25/2008, David Wilhite wrote:

>Guys,
>
>I wanted to get these pics out to show a rear bumper I just recently
>made with the help of a friend.
>
>Hopefully, the links below will work.
>
>I think the pictures are pretty self-explanatory as far as how it's put
>together. I will tell you that it's made with two tubes of 2" sch 40
>steel pipe and the part that goes in the frame is 20" long and uses a
>total of 6 bolts to hold it in place.
>
>I plan on adding elbows for wrap around and possibly a diamond tread
>step plate across the top later.
>
>My main concern is that if someone hits me now, It will rip out the
>frame from underneath the van.
>
>David Wilhite
>84' Vanagon Westy
>Middle TN
>
>Back View
>http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dqvmg42_10fqws73f4
>
>Right View
>http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dqvmg42_14hhjph8vp
>
>Left Side
>http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dqvmg42_12c3tjcq7s