Adventure Driven, aftermarket sneak peak!
- Thread starter Toasty
- Start date
Would you be able to make CAD drawings of skid plates with SolidWorks? I mean something that I could give a metal shop to plug in to their plasma cutter and crank out a set of plates? I see that skid plates can be pricey and ship from places like Australia when its just some cut metal with a few holes in it. I suppose one could go to a fabricator and ask them to make a set of plates but there must be alot of measuring, double checking, mock ups even and such before the first piece of metal gets cut. Why duplicate this effort for everyone when a set of CAD files could make this easier? That would save time and money and shipping. I was just wondering of course. Especially now that my Gen 3's factory cover is banged up and in need of replacement and the idea of a set of skid plates is looking attractive to me now.
Toasty
Looking for that thing i just had in my hand...
YES! It will totally work for you! I didn't post a price yet because I didn't know how Exportal admin would react to my post AND I want to post up some nice pics. Tommorow is the plan actually. shoot me a pm.
Swift_45a
Observer
Let me know if you want to set up a fintech solution to lower payment/transfer costs for this when you go live, I work in Fintech and I'm willing to offer my services for free if this materializes.
Instead of waiting for wire transfers or paypal and all the fees you can have access to your funds directly via your mobile or use a CC directly. Seeing as how limited parts are for these cars its not unlikely that if it goes well here, international attention will follow so exchange fees/processing times etc... all start to eat away fast!
PM me for details if and when you want to take me up on my offer; there are other cool things you can do, too that I think could help the community and help offset some of your expenses as well.
Thanks for doing this!
Request: Any experience fabricating intake/exhaust manifolds? I have some parts I'd like to donate and have you prototype if you're up for it.
Instead of waiting for wire transfers or paypal and all the fees you can have access to your funds directly via your mobile or use a CC directly. Seeing as how limited parts are for these cars its not unlikely that if it goes well here, international attention will follow so exchange fees/processing times etc... all start to eat away fast!
PM me for details if and when you want to take me up on my offer; there are other cool things you can do, too that I think could help the community and help offset some of your expenses as well.
Thanks for doing this!
Request: Any experience fabricating intake/exhaust manifolds? I have some parts I'd like to donate and have you prototype if you're up for it.
mudraider
Adventurer
The thing I wonder about, and no mention was made, but would you be willing to pay a decent price for these CAD drawings? It's one thing to make them up, then wholly another to load them onto a program where, "I can give them to a metal shop...." Time. Priceless
sent from my pretty good Android phone
Offroadmuch
Explorer
I would buy some skid plates and rock sliders for Gen 3 and seriously consider a "high-departure-angle" rear bumper...
You could make some good quality Jeep and Toyota parts for profit and make Montero parts because Monteros kick *****!!!
coffeegoat
Adventurer
I would also be willing to do some drafting for the group on an as needed basis. I've been considering designing up a gen 3 skid plate and just posting the prints and dxf files so folks could take it to their local laser shop. I wasn't sure there was much interest, apparently so... I'd want to work with a more experienced Monty guy to make sure we get it done right the first time. The only thing we may run into is one-offs are way more expensive than a short run of 10 units or so.
Yes of course!
Maybe it can be arranged to have a batch of units made based on interested buyers by region? Whoever wants a set can just drive over and get them. I live in LA and I am sure there are other Gen3 owners in southern CA that would like to get a set of skidplates. Assuming deposits and commitments to buy can be secured of course. I don't know any metal shops but maybe someone else here does.
ManfromSnowyRiver
Explorer
Damn thats pretty, and in the mail to me :wings:
What's the possibility of a diff drop kit like the 3rd gen 4runners use? I can't remember how it mounts on a Monty but the 4Runner is stupid simple and you gain a lot of safety margin on the CV angle. I lost zero ground clearance when I did it on mine.
PA_JERO
Adventurer
Sounds like a lot of suggestions on aftermarket parts, some of which would probably sell 1 or 2 ever once price is completely set in stone. I'm pretty sure toast and incx idea is to produce a strong aftermarket of much needed wearing parts that are important first and for most. They would also like to make the cost affordable due to most montero owners being cheap...very cheap. Not a knock on you if your that guy, cause honestly we buy monteros because they are highly durable, comfortable to drive, and ... cheap.
The panhard rod/bar that toast and incorpx have made is STOUT. Durability and strength on this item is very important due to the fact it positions your axle to square your truck up. Also, this panhard rod has the tendency to get smacked around a bit by rocks (if that's how you roll) while 4 wheeling around and using the truck to do what they are built to do. I bent mine so bad it pulled the axle about 1" further to the passanger side. I also run 3" or 4" lift coils which also contributes to the angle it puts the panhard rod. As you lift your truck by doing a suspension lift it raises the frame upward and changes the angle on the panhard rod, and draws your axle further to the left (passanger side). This causes the truck to track funny on road, and create a little bit of a sway affect while changing lanes, finding groves in the road, or going over slight bumps. Makes it very noticeable at highway speeds.
If you do a suspension lift on your truck, you NEED to buy this panhard rod. This part not only aligns your truck to ride and track better, it will save on the stress to your lower trailing arm bushings. It also helps the slight drive line angle from the drive shaft. Even the smallest lift creates stress on your truck due to the position of the axle. Stop wearing your bushings out faster and putting your axle at a bad angle.
I have ran mine for about a week or so now. Truck rides so much better and my axle is damn near center.
The panhard rod/bar that toast and incorpx have made is STOUT. Durability and strength on this item is very important due to the fact it positions your axle to square your truck up. Also, this panhard rod has the tendency to get smacked around a bit by rocks (if that's how you roll) while 4 wheeling around and using the truck to do what they are built to do. I bent mine so bad it pulled the axle about 1" further to the passanger side. I also run 3" or 4" lift coils which also contributes to the angle it puts the panhard rod. As you lift your truck by doing a suspension lift it raises the frame upward and changes the angle on the panhard rod, and draws your axle further to the left (passanger side). This causes the truck to track funny on road, and create a little bit of a sway affect while changing lanes, finding groves in the road, or going over slight bumps. Makes it very noticeable at highway speeds.
If you do a suspension lift on your truck, you NEED to buy this panhard rod. This part not only aligns your truck to ride and track better, it will save on the stress to your lower trailing arm bushings. It also helps the slight drive line angle from the drive shaft. Even the smallest lift creates stress on your truck due to the position of the axle. Stop wearing your bushings out faster and putting your axle at a bad angle.
I have ran mine for about a week or so now. Truck rides so much better and my axle is damn near center.