Rocky Mountain Westy Bumpers

[jlrftype7]

[Silverghost500]

I really enjoy mine. As I mentioned in a previous post the front Twin Peaks bumper was struck by a baseball sized piece of debris from the road traveling I65 in Alabama going about 65-70mph. Made a big "clang" noise when it hit, but no evidence of any damage.

Here's videos of me putting my set on. Maybe they'll help you guys who are about to install yours:

Rear Twin Peaks Bumper:
https://youtu.be/lFgVrUWoH6s

Front Twin Peaks
https://youtu.be/IMSuQ0ZC0NU
_________________
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic

Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA

[joetiger]

I love the rear one. It reminds me of the chunky dealer-installed Fleetside bumpers that all Texas farmers, including my grandmother, used to install on their Chevy work trucks.

The front one doesn't match the lines as well and is kind of clunky looking, but it is stout and provides a great step. Mine has been profoundly abused in Moab and still looks new (unless you look really close.)
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[TopBud]

I ordered my on Black Friday and they were in my possession on Wednesday with the free shipping. I am so stoked. I have been wanting these for a long time, but just pulled the trigger because of the free shipping. I agree with Joetiger, The one box was super heavy.
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86 bostig SYNCRO
66 convertible Karmann Ghia

[jlrftype7]

[Andymon]

Well, shipping if free from Van-Cafe right now so that ought to make the bumper a little lighter......
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"Blanch" '85 Westy
"Too many freaks and not enough circuses".

[joetiger]

[chrisaj1]

Hi, does anyone know how much these weigh? They look very heavy duty.

[ledogboy]

I love mine, wouldn’t trade them for anything else currently available.
_________________
1986 Westy Weekender
Now a full camper
1.8t Syncro conversion
Some people call him Maurice...

[shizzon]

I love my twin peaks bumpber but have also had some issues with rust creeping up.
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1989 Bostig Syncro Westy

[HeinleinTrooper]

I like mine. I have not installed anything on them yet, though.

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1990 Vanagon Multivan 2.1 WBX AT

[Maine]

Thinking about buying a set of RMW Twin Peaks bumpers, to anyone who has them do they still get high marks?

[BavarianWrench]

I liked my RMW rear bumper. I forget what material the washer was at this point? The stainless washers can spin into the PC and then a point of compromise has been made in the finish. Care while tightening or possibly a different washer material could be used to limit impact to the finish. Once tight if a bumper is bumped it will score the finish should it move slightly too. I don't see a better way around it unfortunately.

[ragnarhairybreeks]

I’ve seen similar rust bubbling on another set of RMW bumpers. It’s a little disappointing.
I can only guess why the PC is not up to snuff on them.

- the bumpers were not blasted before PC
- if the steel had mill scale, ie wasn’t oil pickled sheet, the mill scale was not removed.
- single coat PC


I’ve worked a bit with PC on aluminum, for off shore bouys, and the stuff was darned tough. For sure there have been electrolytic failures around fasteners, but on the whole it’s impressive.

And parts I’ve had to modify that have been properly PC could be sanded and feathered.

I’ll guess with RMW, to keep costs reasonable, the bumpers weren’t blasted and it’s only one coat of PC.

I’m not meaning to be negatively critical, costs have to be kept in check.

Alistair
_________________
'86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com

[Bills85Westy]

Thanks all for the feedback.

I agree that the powder coating once damaged is difficult to maintain. These issues are contained to the center section over the hitch so I'm going to sandblast and paint this with an automotive finish.

I agree that these bumpers are good at what they do and my truck sees enough use that it will never be a show queen. I'm looking for tidy and functional!

Onward.
_________________
89 Tristar Syncro Doka - White
85 Westfalia Syncro (conversion)
SAH 1.8T Conversion - 2005 AWP
Engine Conversion Thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612144&highlight=
85 Doka L345 Grey - 1.9L

[kourt]

Yes, my RMW Twin Peaks bumpers all have some sort of finish problem. In the case of the front bumper, I had it re-powdercoated last year. The rear bumper has been a little better. I camp at the beach, and that environment is really tough on steel of any sort.

The bumpers are so good at what they do, however, that I tolerate the finish problem. I can strip and repaint them someday, I guess, but my van is all about function over form, so a little rust doesn't bug me too much. I don't want to be driving a garage queen--my van must always show road grime and wear.

kourt

[MsTaboo]

The problem with powder coating is it's like a skin and when rust starts at any scratch or chip it spreads under that skin and is very hard to remedy without totally stripping all the pc off. Seems to be more of a problem with flat flexible parts or parts with sharp edges. Unlike regular paint you can't really sand pc very well, it won't feather like paint.
Manufacturers like pc because it's fast and easy. However the surfaces need to be super clean for the stuff to bond properly to the steel.
When you tighten down the hardware onto the pc it can crack and if it doesn't have a tight bond then moisture gets under the skin and away goes rust.

When I assembled my RMW bumpers I sprayed all the hardware and overlapping joints with Fluid Film as a barrier to help prevent rust from starting. I also try to "bandage" any chips with a dab of paint so rust can't get a toehold.

I love my RMW Twinpeak bumpers but wish they had used regular paint, it's so much easier to repair or repaint.
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

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[iliketowalk]

Looks like the rust may have started at the speedclips and migrated under the finish from there?
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1986 Weekender "Birch"

[Bills85Westy]

I'm curious if anyone has had problems with the finish on their Twin Peaks bumpers. I have a front and rear and the finish on the front bumper is rusting from underneath. The rear bumper which sees the most physical abuse is fine.

These are five years old so I have absolutely no complaints with these bumpers or with RMW. I

I was just surprised because they are powder coated. I'm not really sure what the acceptable life span for powder coating that lives outside is supposed to be.

What shows up as white in this flash photo is the finish bubbled up.

I promise that my Doka is not as dirty as this flash photo makes it look!
_________________
89 Tristar Syncro Doka - White
85 Westfalia Syncro (conversion)
SAH 1.8T Conversion - 2005 AWP
Engine Conversion Thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612144&highlight=
85 Doka L345 Grey - 1.9L

[dobryan]