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carterzest Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2008 Posts: 3842 Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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Farfrumwork wrote: |
Yes, very cool to see the engineering behind the product.
Buuuut, it is still too big and bulky for my taste (and needs... or wants I guess).
I've seen some really sweet bumpers on the SDM '11 and Mog Fest photos. Seth (syncrozilla) and I think Frankensyncro (or whatever the name is - sorry) have the besty bumpers I've seen to date. Seths were custom Burely piece$, and frankensyncro built his own (front only).
Small (lowest profile possible), aesthetic, and well built. Until that day comes, I'll be keeping my stock bumpers. |
I like it a lot, but must say, after riding in Frankensubysyncro(Davids') van through the pit, I am inclined to go that route as well. His bumpers and Seth's increase the approach angle considerably by cutting away some extra lip off the front. Very cool to see in action and even freakier to be in the front seat expecting a bump and not feeling anything _________________ Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror! |
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AnmlMthrM60 Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2007 Posts: 228 Location: Prescott, AZ
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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r39o wrote: |
All this whining and complaining yet I do not see a price, unless I missed it. |
I think you have to go to their page and submit your email to get a quote. _________________ Justin
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86 Syncro - 2.2L WBX
69 Bug - 1776cc |
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wes.outside Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2008 Posts: 121 Location: Cody, WY
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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From their website:
The NFB's availability and pricing depends on YOU! Over the next three-four weeks we will have pricing information available. We are going to produce the NFB in scheduled build groups to keep costs down. If you are interested in pricing information or in group scheduling information, please let us know by signing up below. We will never share email addresses, this info is used strictly to contact you with NFB updates.
http://bostig.com/index.php?option=com_content&...Itemid=254 Bostig NFB project page.
I really like the look - RMW and GoWesty have a good product, too. It's also fair that they are testing the market before they publish a price. Amortizing jigs and supplies can be a risky proposition, and when you are talking about such a niche market, forecasting sales is nearly impossible. Without the ability to forecast sales - you can't set price without gambling a lot of money.
/I was previously in manufacturing, and having enough confidence in a product that appeals to a small group of people to spend $$$$ on the capability to produce said product can be a pucker moment.
So many choices in bumpers. Let's hope that whether YOU want one or not, Bostig is successful in finding buyers - the health of vendors to these types of communities is integral to the health of the communities themselves. _________________ '73 Thing
'86 Vanagon Syncro with Westfalia Poptop |
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purplepeopleeater Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2005 Posts: 3117 Location: E. Washington
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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AnmlMthrM60 wrote: |
I plan on building my own as well. But I am interested in the price of their DIY kit. |
Stay tuned for mine. |
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buildyourown Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2009 Posts: 1668 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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The Raven wrote: |
Well, if you can get a comparable Jeep bumper for $400 like this one, there is no reason why companies charge what they do for Vanagons. I'm beginning to see it as the GW syndrome.
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Yes volume, and engineering time.
Go price an ARB or All-pro or Shrockworks bumper
Companies who are actually designing and building the product.
The $400 ones are either a single guy in a garage copying another design, or catalog asian copies. |
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snowsyncro Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2009 Posts: 1557 Location: East Preston, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 4:33 am Post subject: |
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Bendysports wrote: |
syncrogreg wrote: |
a Solidworks license for vanagon business ?? they have to do pretty well to afford that!!
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Funny, I was thinking the same thing. I know their stuff is premium price, and premium quality, but seems like a lot of overhead for a niche market business.
Do they do anything else? Just curious, not a rip. Maybe they farm out the CAD work?
Bumper is not my taste, but a nice design and seems well engineered. |
You're kidding, right? Bostig is a business specializing in mechanical engineering projects. Solidworks is an investment -- it cuts their development costs. Small companies still have development costs. Heck, I have had SolidWorks since it first came out (1997), and I have a software company!
RonC |
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Zero419 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008 Posts: 2160 Location: PA
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 4:44 am Post subject: |
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SolidWorks (and most other modeling software) is a tool that cannot be replaced these days.
couple that with 3D printing and the prototype time savings alone is worth every penny.
Signed,
Mechanical designer and...
Proficient SolidWorks user, day in and day out for many years. _________________ 1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
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The Raven Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2011 Posts: 303
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:48 am Post subject: |
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buildyourown wrote: |
The Raven wrote: |
Well, if you can get a comparable Jeep bumper for $400 like this one, there is no reason why companies charge what they do for Vanagons. I'm beginning to see it as the GW syndrome.
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Yes volume, and engineering time.
Go price an ARB or All-pro or Shrockworks bumper
Companies who are actually designing and building the product.
The $400 ones are either a single guy in a garage copying another design, or catalog asian copies. |
That Smittybuilt one there is the $400 bumper. Sure, you can spend $$$ on an ARB or others as there are fools in the jeeper market who think nothing of dropping a grand on a bumper too.
Think about it though, a bumper is supposed to;
1. Provide impact protection
2. provide a solid mounting location to pull from (winch or tow)
3. be designed to not hinder but benefit the intended use (off-road approach angle)
You can get these from a guy in his garage, or a big company. The price is determined by what people are willing to pay. If GW is able to get $800 for a set of their bumpers, any competition will easily be able to compete by making something better for more $$$ or comparable for the same...van cafe tube.
I could care less about american made, or name. Give me a functional product at a good price and I'll be happy. |
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markz2004 Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2007 Posts: 944 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:10 am Post subject: |
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hero419 wrote: |
SolidWorks (and most other modeling software) is a tool that cannot be replaced these days.
couple that with 3D printing and the prototype time savings alone is worth every penny.
Signed,
Mechanical designer and...
Proficient SolidWorks user, day in and day out for many years. |
x2 we just bought an updated Solidworks for my company as well. Definately costly, but allows someone to really design, engineer and build something in a very precise manner.
Shameless plug:
http://www.houserworksllc.com/ _________________ 87 Westy, 250k GW 2.4 - 2.0 , 16" wheels |
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fsf1o1 Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2011 Posts: 186 Location: Florida
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:17 am Post subject: hey |
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thats so awsome man Woo hoo |
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BushChicken Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2010 Posts: 250 Location: California
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:26 am Post subject: |
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The Raven wrote: |
I could care less about american made, or name. Give me a functional product at a good price and I'll be happy. |
That is sad to hear....of course, that attitude is why there are so many Wal-Marts in the world... |
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The Raven Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2011 Posts: 303
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:32 am Post subject: |
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BushChicken wrote: |
The Raven wrote: |
I could care less about american made, or name. Give me a functional product at a good price and I'll be happy. |
That is sad to hear....of course, that attitude is why there are so many Wal-Marts in the world... |
Never said I would buy chinese either....I'll stick with european and canadian made. I'll buy american if is quality....not just because it says made in the USA. Just look at harley davidson...oh wait most of those parts are from the far east too. |
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HeftySmurf Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2008 Posts: 879 Location: Washington, USA
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 11:20 am Post subject: |
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I totally dig it, looks bad ass!
Im guessing $1500 plus shipping.... ouch _________________ -Lorenzo
90 GL w/ Bostig |
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I am Wildcat Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2011 Posts: 318 Location: SF Bay Area
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 11:43 am Post subject: |
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Here is a picture of it from their website.
_________________ No more van. Wildcat has a new home.
1997 Land Rover Defender 90
2005 MB SL55 AMG
2014 Tesla Model S P85+ |
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The Raven Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2011 Posts: 303
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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It does look nice though... |
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FrankenSubySyncro Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007 Posts: 638 Location: Vancouver, WA.
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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Farfrumwork wrote: |
I've seen some really sweet bumpers on the SDM '11 and Mog Fest photos. Seth (syncrozilla) and I think Frankensyncro (or whatever the name is - sorry) have the besty bumpers I've seen to date. Seths were custom Burely piece$, and frankensyncro built his own (front only).
Small (lowest profile possible), aesthetic, and well built. Until that day comes, I'll be keeping my stock bumpers. |
Thanks for the Kudos, and Kudos to Bostig for designing a great looking and functional bumper. I like the modularity, frame mount winch attachment, no loss of approach angle, and it can be put together by a DIYer. Definitely a great syncro (and 2WD) option that has been missing.
I like the other bumpers too but this seems to address all the short comings of those. I am glad that the vendors are giving us choices besides the lame stock ones. I think vanagons look much better with aftermarket bumpers. As said before there just is not a lot of volume for vanagon bumpers especially a syncro oriented one.
If you think it costs too much, buy a welder, plasma cutter, bandsaw, tube bender, grinder etc. then buy the steel, design it, weld it, get it powder coated, make your van look sweet. PRICELESS!
I am excited about the roll cage designs shown in their sweet video. Talk about a niche market! _________________ Syncronize it!
1987 Franken Syncro (converted 2WD auto)
2004 2.5 SOHC Subaru
F & R lockers, decoupler, SS, 6.17 R&P
Trans Cooler
EMPI race prepped 930 CVs and axles
Bilstein coilover front, rear ProComp MX-6066R shocks, 14" hypercoil springs
30x9.5 15" BFG Muds
Custom skid plates
Nose job (custom front bumper) http://www.flickr.com/photos/subyvanagon/sets/72157624970330925/ |
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Jedi Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2007 Posts: 734 Location: Cool California
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Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 9:10 am Post subject: |
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I don't see why they would want to demo a new bumper on some rusted out crust bucket _________________ 1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15129 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 10:19 am Post subject: |
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Because it looks more like MY van and not a parking lot asphalt queen.
people who notice the bumer for it's awesomeness don't notice the crusty bus behind it.. and what's wrong with a crusty bus? you give yoru spouse a hard time when age starts to catch up with them? people can be so vain..
Function over form, leave the vanity to the license plates.
Jedi wrote: |
I don't see why they would want to demo a new bumper on some rusted out crust bucket |
_________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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Jedi Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2007 Posts: 734 Location: Cool California
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Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 11:18 am Post subject: |
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It is called love and care for your ride. I have had over 30 VW's and have always fixed rust. They are trying to sell some nice new set up and convince you to buy it while its placed on some overly neglected ride. Take a look beyond the east coast Vanagons don't have to die because you drive them _________________ 1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro |
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noganav Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2006 Posts: 1236 Location: San Diego CA
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Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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Hey bumper, nice mustache. |
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