Super VXer
Well, let's see what happens. Just ordered one, and with shipping the total was $30. The site said that there was a 4-5 day shipping delay due to the part being in an offsite warehouse.Originally Posted by ojmagg
I'll let everyone know IF it ships, and if it does, I'll report on quality once it arrives.
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Super VXer
Looks great Mark! I know you've been wanting to do that for a while now...nothing like Moab creeping up on ya to get motivated!
I recall a few folks have tried to get one from Rock Auto and another site also, I think it was Gill (nocturnlVX) with no luck. Surely the METAL costs more than $18!
~What's "self-etching primer"
~Why aren't the brackets equally rotted?
~Always wondered, does it provide any crash protection strength to just be able to pass US requirements?
~Or is engine/radiator etc protection the main function?
VX KAT
....the adventure BEGINS ANEW! ...2015......
Remember that life is not measured in the breaths you take, but rather in the moments that take your breath away.
Super VXer
Sue,Looks great Mark! I know you've been wanting to do that for a while now...nothing like Moab creeping up on ya to get motivated!
I recall a few folks have tried to get one from Rock Auto and another site also, I think it was Gill (nocturnlVX) with no luck. Surely the METAL costs more than $18!
~What's "self-etching primer"
~Why aren't the brackets equally rotted?
~Always wondered, does it provide any crash protection strength to just be able to pass US requirements?
~Or is engine/radiator etc protection the main function?
~From what I understand self-etching primer pretty much bonds itself with the metal so that no rust can form. Here's a quick explanation after a quick Google search:
Self-etching primer is composed of an acid and zinc. The acid, usually phosphoric acid, forces the zinc down into the top couple of molecules of the steel. Chemically impregnating the steel like this cannot reverse the rust but it can stop in from getting worse. So it’s important that you get all of the scaly rust off.
~I'm pretty sure that the brackets are equally rotated. Maybe it's a weird perspective thing in the pictures. The bumper sits flat and level on the VX. Maybe they are rotated differently and my frame rails are out of whack.
~To tell you the truth I'm not sure how much protection this dinky little thing would provide. I have a feeling it would just get folded up into the radiator if it recieved a good impact, particularly my old rusted out one.
The guy at the shop who was building the bumper said that it looked like the bumper was made for baja running, due to the middle being turned up like a bull bar. At that point I told him the history of the VX and how it was sort of built like a baja runner with the reservoir shocks and that a few had actually been run in the Baja races.
Super VXer
True, the $18 bumper is prob as thick as a soda can...
Super VXer
Sue,
The metal is thicker on the brackets and is probably a different grade of steel. That's probably why they didn't rot like the tubes did.
The bumper offers little or no crash protection. Round tubing just ain't that strong. If you were looking to modify it for crash protection, you should replicate it in square tubing or angle.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Put a smiley after you say that Bub.
Super VXer
After reading Tom's post I realized that you asked why the brackets aren't as rotted.
I read "rotated", so that is the reason for my cryptic answer to that question.
Yea, what Tom said about the brackets not being rotted.....
Man, I need to get my eyes......or my brain......checked.
VXer
While researching front bumper reinforcements I found something that might explain the part you got. The part number is for a center bumper mounting bracket for an Amigo. The picture and the part number don't match. The part number is 8971257810 but the VehiCross bumper reinforcement is 8971435345 so while they did mess up putting the wrong picture with the part they did have a different part number. I know that doesn't make it right but it might explain the problem.
Mike
Super VXer
OK, finally got to talk to the people at the shop where I had my new bumper reinforcement done. They said that the easiest thing for them to do would be to build new bumpers with the frame attachments welded to them so all they would have to do would be to ship the bumper out and the new owner would just have to bolt the bumper on. No muss, no fuss.
The bumpers would be made out of DOM tubing (same stuff they make roll cages out of),and bent to the exact profile of our original bumpers. The ends of the bumper would have end caps welded to them so nothing can get into them and rot them from the inside out. All of that would be welded to new bumper mounts, then the whole thing would have a coat of self etching primer sprayed on it. The shop is looking at $300 per bumper, and shipping would be extra.
I know that's almost what Isuzu is asking for a new bumper, but those would eventually rot out again, and I have a feeling that my new bumper will last longer than the VX itself. The shop plans on using my VX one more time to double check all of their measurements, and they will make two bumpers this go round. One to ship out, and one to keep as their template for future orders.
Let me know if you are interested and we'll get the ball rolling.
Super VXer
I didn't think I needed a new front bumper until I took a look last night...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww2hmX1HT1w&hd=1
That's not going to provide much protection! I'm very interested in this new product.
Gregg
2001 Proton Yellow #1379
Super VXer
...I can't view that youtube vid, says it's "unlisted" and I must have link to it -I thought that's what you provided Cobra...
Super VXer
I just changed it to Public. Maybe it's that High Def tag I put on the original link.
'Zoid
I'd probably be interested it getting one. my bumper is currently supported by little wooden blocks that the previous owner stuck in place of the bar that rusted out.
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