SEMA Show 2023

[plainjaneFJC]

For years the major auto manufacturers had a large presence at the show, but most were absent this year. Toyota did have a large space and among other vehicles, was showing this custom FJ45 and Land Cruiser:

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There was a company showing replacement Toyota body parts, including this FJ40 (they seem to offer all parts except the basic body shell); they offer almost enough parts to build an FJ45 pickup from scratch.

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The quality seems to be excellent, much better than the Philippine replacement sheet metal available in the Jeep market. The company also offers Land Rover Defender parts but so far, no Jeep parts.

Another FJ in the show...

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I posted this photo the other day about a storage box that mounts to the side of the hardtop...

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Here's another one (on a Bronco in this photo).

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Boxes like this are factory options on the new Land Rover Defender, I wonder if that's the inspiration for these aftermarket ones.

Two companies were showing Rotopax mounts that bolt to the door hinges, here's one of them:

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I did a similar design a few years ago and built some prototypes, but I never went any further with them because it didn't seem like there was too much interest in the idea.

The cream colored FJ with Nomad wheels, I’ve been wanting a good picture of those wheels- thanks!

 

[plainjaneFJC]

"...or they just don't think much about design."

I think that is true in many cases.

You’d think 5 minutes of examining the prototype that they’d make changes though..😆

 

[Todd n Natalie]

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I did a similar design a few years ago and built some prototypes, but I never went any further with them because it didn't seem like there was too much interest in the idea.

I'd be worried about carrying gas cans on my doors. What happens in the event of a T-bone collision? Scrapping metal around puddle of gas right by where the driver would have to exit? I don't know bout that.

 

[AbleGuy]

That’s it. One person to inflate and install it. When you are done you roll it up and put it in the storage locker.
We are the Canadian distributor for Flated and can assure you that those are the real deal. There are tons of people using it as a camper topper.

And yet, in another current thread here, the posters go on and on about why you should not have windows in your hard sided shell/cap or pop up because of theft concerns!

Obviously, the folks buying the Flated are not overly worried about this. Maybe it’s because Canadians have less crime and are friendly, compassionate and copasetic folks.

It’s so interesting to see how differently we look at life and culture in the US.

 

[AbleGuy]

Looks a bit chilly there in India…

Oh….So you’re saying you were impressed by the headlights featured on that Jimney, yah?

 

[jscherb]

I jsut got this week's SEMA News email and in it there's an article naming the SEMA's "Car of the Year" in a bunch of different categories. The winner in the 4x4/SUV category is the Ford Bronco. Oh well.

The "Overland Experience", a feature at SEMA for the past several years, was moved outside of the West Hall this year. It wasn't in a high traffic location so I doubt many people really saw it, and it wasn't very inspiring anyway.

Dan Grec's JL Camper was one of the high points...





Unfortunately I didn't connect with Dan at the show, I would have loved to see the interior of his rig.

These are some of the other trailers outside in the "Experience"...











I think there were actually more camper trailers inside the halls than out in the Overland Experience, I'll show some of those in the next posts.

 

[jscherb]

Some of the trailers inside the show halls.



Overland Vehicle Systems was showing a military style trailer:



This one is from SNO trailers:



Turtleback Trailers:





Check the steps on this one from HardKorr. If you're roughing it by camping with a trailer like this do you really need steps like this to get into your tent?



Not sure which is cuter, this little trailer or the tow vehicle. It was in the Mini Monsters booth - I think they import the tow vehicle to the US, there's no sign of the trailer on their web site:

 

[jscherb]

This trailer was built using a Gladiator bed on a prototype frame kit that American Adventure Labs is thinking of offering. The say the kit would support a range of different beds and they were seeking input on features and functions to help them decide if they are going to offer the kit and what features it would have.





I thought this was interesting - a soft pickup cap for a Gladiator with structure inside to support heavy loads. In case you can't see it well, that's a pallet on top:



I've got a few more random photos from the show but I think I'll call it quits on this thread now. If anyone has any questions about anything I've posted I'll be happy to try to answer them. I hope you've enjoyed this thread.

 

[toddz69]

Again - thanks for all the photos! I was disappointed with the "Overland Experience" as well this year - it was really hyped before the show and then when I saw it.... I go through that area each year because I walk in that way from my hotel. I think most folks probably missed it though. I didn't even see Dan's rig - sorry I missed that!

Todd Z.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Those mini trucks, were all over the place in Guam. Some were actually pretty cool. They use them on base, and sell them cheap when its time for replacement. As shipping them out if country is too epensive.

 

[Dan Grec]

The "Overland Experience", a feature at SEMA for the past several years, was moved outside of the West Hall this year. It wasn't in a high traffic location so I doubt many people really saw it, and it wasn't very inspiring anyway.

Dan Grec's JL Camper was one of the high points...


Unfortunately I didn't connect with Dan at the show, I would have loved to see the interior of his rig.

Sorry I missed you Jeff!
The door of my Jeep was open during the days, I assume you got there either really early or really late!

I wandered around inside most days and kept an eye out for you, but in all the madness I couldn't see you.
Next time I'm sure!

-Dan

 

[plainjaneFJC]

Sorry I missed you Jeff!
The door of my Jeep was open during the days, I assume you got there either really early or really late!

I wandered around inside most days and kept an eye out for you, but in all the madness I couldn't see you.
Next time I'm sure!

-Dan

That thing is clean - looks brand new.

 

[Mules]

Thanks for all the great SEMA pics!

Yesterday I ran into this SEMA Jeep at a gas station in Missouri, on it's voyage back to Maine. Besides all the other great additions, it has air suspension that automatically levels for loads or if you are 4 wheeling sideways across a hill. It would definitely be nice if my camper leveled itself.

Sorry I missed the show.

 

[plainjaneFJC]

Trailer queens…..😆

 

[jscherb]

Thanks for all the great SEMA pics!

Yesterday I ran into this SEMA Jeep at a gas station in Missouri, on it's voyage back to Maine. Besides all the other great additions, it has air suspension that automatically levels for loads or if you are 4 wheeling sideways across a hill. It would definitely be nice if my camper leveled itself.

Sorry I missed the show.

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Automatic leveling... I've been experimenting with microprocessor control of real-world components lately and thinking about suspension control. The first experiment was controlling suspension air-bag pressure with a microprocessor. This test setup is described in this post: https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/barn-door-for-jk-factory-hardtops.127687/post-3114911

And this post shows the test setup in operation: https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/barn-door-for-jk-factory-hardtops.127687/post-3115599

The second experiment was about attitude sensing - pitch and roll. In this next post I've got the microprocessor reading a 3-axis accelerometer and sending the pitch and roll data back to my laptop: https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/barn-door-for-jk-factory-hardtops.127687/post-3117120

These experiments are just proofs of concepts to see if I could implement microprocessor control of real-world components and systems and I haven't done much yet beyond what's demonstrated in those posts, but what I've done could be used as the start of a self-leveling system for Jeeps or campers.