LiveTheVanLife · Made for the journey

Baja Bumpers

Purposeful bumpers for the Volkswagen T3 / Vanagon. A low-profile front design, a rear bumper with integrated swing-aways, and real-world experience from Baja to the Sahara.

Explore the details, see them on our own van, and talk with us about the right setup for yours.

Explore the front bumper ↓Explore the rear bumper ↓
Our Syncro at camp among the Sahara dunes.
Our Syncro at camp among the Sahara dunes.

01 / Front

A clean profile. Ready for the trail.

The front Baja Bumper is constructed from heavy-duty carbon steel. Its low-profile shape was designed with approach angle and keeping weight down in mind.

It follows the lines of the Vanagon without the bulk of a large brush guard. The photos below show the design on our own Syncro, from close-up construction details to its travels in North Africa.

  • Heavy-duty carbon steel construction.
  • Low-profile design for the VW T3 / Vanagon.
  • Designed to preserve useful clearance at the front of the van.
  • Used on our own van from Baja to the Sahara.

Select any photo to open the full-size image.

Front bumper corner and underside detail.
Front bumper corner and underside detail.
A closer look at the front bumper’s low-profile shape.
A closer look at the front bumper’s low-profile shape.
The front Baja Bumper on our Syncro in the Sahara.
The front Baja Bumper on our Syncro in the Sahara.
Front bumper and side profile in the dunes.
Front bumper and side profile in the dunes.
Our Syncro and its Baja Bumpers on the road in North Africa.
Our Syncro and its Baja Bumpers on the road in North Africa.

02 / Rear

Carry more. Keep the hatch accessible.

The rear Baja Bumper brings two swing-aways into the bumper itself: one for the spare tire and one for a storage box. Swing them open to reach the rear hatch, then secure them for the road.

The compact shape was designed with departure angle and weight in mind. Heavy-duty joints with ball bearings support the swing-aways for smooth operation.

  • Integrated dual swing-aways.
  • Spare-tire mount and storage box.
  • Recovery shackles and a 2-inch receiver.
  • Bearing-supported swing-away joints.
  • Mounts through the van’s existing frame mounting points.
  • Bumper-mounted carriers, without attaching swing-aways to the rear hatch.

Each set is cut and welded by hand. Personalized variations of the basic design can be discussed to suit your van and how you use it.

Rear bumper with the spare-tire carrier and storage box closed.
Rear bumper with the spare-tire carrier and storage box closed.
Rear bumper corner, swing-away pivot, and recovery shackle.
Rear bumper corner, swing-away pivot, and recovery shackle.
Storage-box swing-away and latch detail.
Storage-box swing-away and latch detail.
Spare-tire swing-away and latch detail.
Spare-tire swing-away and latch detail.
Spare-tire carrier viewed from the side.
Spare-tire carrier viewed from the side.
Rear bumper profile and underside clearance.
Rear bumper profile and underside clearance.
Spare-tire swing-away open for rear access.
Spare-tire swing-away open for rear access.
Storage-box swing-away in the open position.
Storage-box swing-away in the open position.
Close-up of the swing-away joint.
Close-up of the swing-away joint.
Both swing-aways open at camp in the Sahara.
Both swing-aways open at camp in the Sahara.
Access to the rear hatch with both swing-aways open.
Access to the rear hatch with both swing-aways open.

03 / Experience that travels

From Baja to the Sahara.

These are the bumpers we travel with on our own van. Their story includes Baja roads, Sahara sand, snow, rain, and a few curious Barbary apes.

That experience shapes the design: useful clearance, accessible storage, and hardware that fits the way a traveling van is used.

A memorable stop with Barbary apes on our travels.
A memorable stop with Barbary apes on our travels.
The storage box gets an unexpected visitor.
The storage box gets an unexpected visitor.

04 / Let’s talk about your van

Interested in Baja Bumpers?

Email Shane with your van’s year and model, whether you’re interested in the front bumper, rear bumper, or both, and any ideas for your setup. We’ll discuss fit, configuration, current pricing, and availability with you directly.

Ask Shane about Baja Bumpers ↗Visit our contact page

Product information and photos only. Bumper purchases are arranged directly with us.