In a message dated 98-11-18 20:16:25 EST, lkchris@USWEST.NET writes:

<< Consider the notion of the factory rear bumper as "crush
 zone."   It's possible that if you install an indestructable
 rear bumper the net effect may be to just transfer the
 damage to the body through the mounts.  Again, just offered
 as food for thought.
  >>

any rear end collision that will bend the frame - will do so even with a wimpy
stock vanagon rear bumper mounted.....
the ideal vanagon back bumper, is a stock back bumper with a tube steel
reinforcement running just inside the back bumper, from bracket to bracket -
and with some kind of shock absorbers mounted between the brackets, and the
frame similar to the 5mph shock absorbers used on all VW sedans - tho i havent
come up with a good mounting location for the shock application yet...)
but a simple piece of tube steel welded from bracket to bracket, will be
hidden behind the bumper, to keep the van stock looking, and will slightly
bend, in a low impact dead center rear end collision. now if the impact is off
center, and the impact is direct on a bumper bracket - that is when the frame
bends.. so the idea of a shock absorbing bumper bracket, would be a good one..

any ideas??
chris
'90 GL parts van (rear ended off center, frame/body damage to right rear)
'84 Westy parts camper (rear ended, off center, major frame/ body damage to
right rear)