To All:
Basic message is that they don't work. The Transporter body and frame are too light to handle the impact.
So what works?
A 'Termite Bar,' which is the African version of a cow-catcher. (Sometimes called 'Safari Bars.')
Why does it work? Because it consists of a complete crash-cage made of welded steel tubing that extends all the way back to the rear axel. In effect, it REPLACES the existing frame, using the torsion bars as the hard-points, extending up to the roof-mounted cargo carrier (and sunroof).
The purpose of the Safari Bar is to keep from running into termite mounds concealed in the grass. A termite mound is about as hard as a good grade of concrete, easily capable of wiping out a VW at any speed. Even so, Safari Bars are only good up to maybe 20mph. Even that's enough to leave you and the passengers plastered all over the windscreen but you can usually limp the vehicle back to camp.
But forget a cow-catcher that will actually work with real cows when you're doing anything more a walking pace. Basic physics sez you'll lose.
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So what works in Baja?
Sleep on it. Only drive during the day. Or wait for the Three Gold Stars to blow by and try to ride drag.
But if you feel you've absolutely positively gotta do Dago to Finistierra in 24 hours (about 940 miles) The best method is to start early -- 0300 or so and try to get to Catavina about dawn. (You won't
-- not in a Type II -- but go ahead and try :-) You've only got a couple of sections of open range between the border and El Rosario; you can maintain a pretty good average.) If you keep it rolling you'll hit La Paz about dark. If you're heading for the Cape, the fly country between La Paz & Todos Santos is mostly fenced, but try to keep a truck in front of you. From Todos Santos down to the Cape is only another hour or so and there's only two sections of unfenced range. If you take the other route out of La Paz (to del Cabo), good luck. Bob Hoover (1965 bus; lotsa time south of the Line)