Structural Reinforcement options for Bay Window buses?

[SatireChuck]

Hey gang,

So my 1971 VW Bus doesnt’s have the frame reinforcement that came on the later years. I have kids. I’d like to find out what options there are for Reinforcing the front end. Yes I know it’s difficult. Yes I know I could buy a later bus. I get it. I’m asking how to do this to my 71, please.

Could I please get your advice and recommendations for reinforcing the front end.

Thank you kindly!

-Chuck

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***
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” -Gandalf

———

Brother Chuck’s VW’s:

1968 VW Beetle
1971 VW Bus (Currently under restoration)

[aeromech]

You'll need to install a big ugly roo bar from down under

_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
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Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
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VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
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Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[skills@eurocarsplus]

Get a late bus....doing any hacky frame connectors will just cause more issues I think
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[RalphWiggam]

I really dont think it would be very difficult to weld in some nice steel tubing in the front frame area of an early bus. You probably wont be able to perfectly triangulate anything, but you could definitely beef it up.

[richparker]

Don’t let the kids sit in the front.
_________________
__________
’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[SGKent]

are you a structural engineer in the automotive industry? It isn't just about adding strength - it is about where to fold and bend metal and panels to absorb energy. Your seats are low back too. You need to replace those and the pedestals they sit on which are part of the wheel wells. The back on a late bus is welded together - if you do that on an early bus then getting the upright motor out would be very hard. It is really easier to just sell the bus and buy a 1973 or later if you are that concerned about it. Really.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[aeromech]

Much easier to install air bags
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[jtauxe]

Nice image of the revised structural components, OP.

Those roo bars are just for show. They will have little positive effect in a crash, and could even be dangerous. You could get impaled by steel tubing coming through the nose.

I had a 1969 bus for some time, and as an engineer have thought a lot about how to beef up the front end. I have a wrecked 1974 here that really shows how that triangulated bracing works. It really does. That said, I agree with others here that attempts to modify your 1970 are not going to work. If you want to put a premium on safety, get a later bus, or better yet, get a modern minivan for hauling your kids around. That's what I did.
_________________
John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

[bvolks]

Shouldn't a '71 already have the "Y" shaped front frame? Both my late '70 Westfalia and my '71 Doublecab do.
_________________
1985 Diesel Jetta Coupe (temporarily retired at
756,000 km)
1971 Doublecab project
1995 Golf CL
1974 Beetle
1978 Westfalia

[sjbartnik]

[airschooled]

[SatireChuck]

The makers of those after market bumpers won’t/can’t supply any photos of their product after a wreck. I searched like crazy this morning for them. I wanted to see how their bumpers held up in an accident.

After emailing them, let’s just say I won’t be buying any products from them. They don’t want to share info or photos of their bumpers after an accident, which really was strange. I’m a big fan of transparency for customers when it comes to safety products.

I got the “use google” and “it’s good enough for other customers, why not you” response.

Looks like I’ll be shopping for a 1979 Bus soon!

-Brother Chuck

[SGKent]

[SatireChuck]

Thank you for the advice. I’m glad I asked! I’ll fix up my 71 and plan on buying a late 70’s model for my daily driver. That will make me feel better about safety for the kids. And I’ll have them ride in the back and never the front. Just in case.

[Wildthings]

Really all you should need to do is find the reinforcement that fits across the nose behind the front bumper and install it. You would then need to come up with a custom bumper to fit over the reinforcement that would look like the original for your year. You would likely want to upgrade the seat belts as well.

[Brian]

My thoughts long ago was to do a full roll cage. You could do longer travel shocks and all that fun stuff.

Jut don't drive like a loon and be cautious to other drivers. You can reinforce the frame an amount, but nothing will really save you from the soccer mom turned around smacking the youngest, whose in the 3rd row, while hurling down the center line going 85 mph in a big ass "mini" van.
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Wash your hands

'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
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[WestyPop]

[Mispeld]

I get it, safety is important. But old vehicles are like motorcycles; you assume a risk with them.

Maybe add ABS, traction control, air bags, blind spot alerts, self parking features etc.

Car companies spend millions and millions of dollars developing a vehicle. Funny how it takes an owner and $100 bucks of modifications to undo it all.
_________________
Tom
1977 Westy. 2.0 Fuel Injected.

[Wildthings]

[WestyPop]