[Trollhole]

I had an idea the other day about how we need to put together a group to manufacturer some of these parts everyone needs. I talked with Lou this morning about trying to put something together to be able to give us a quicker turn around on getting those hard to get parts. This is being done in a small scale currently with the rear tailgate window mounting rubber.

Thoughts. There are a lot of good Pig owners here that are interested in getting these rare parts made. Problem is we don't want to fork out a big chunk of money to get them made and then have to worry about selling them down the road. Why not pool some funds together in a group have these parts made. Buy what we need at cost and then sell the remaining inventory to one or two vendors to sell as they wish.

Then what ever profits from the sales go back into a pot to pay for the next part. And the cycle keeps going. Those that join the group would have the understanding that they can buy the parts at cost and could potentially see a return on their investment. The idea though is to be able to make the money back you initially put in at some point and anything after that be put back in the pot to fund the next project. With the intention of the sales of the inventory to fund the next part.

You could allow those that are MUD forum supporters be able to buy the parts at a discount for a period of time (like two weeks) and then sell the left over inventory over to a vendor for the rest of the world to buy.

By doing this we wouldn't piss off the vendors who want to sell these parts and know that basically we would be doing most of the work and outlaying the initial setup cost. Woody would also be getting something also by increasing forum supporters.

Have the PPG determine what parts need to be made first. Have each member be required to handle a part of the process. Sourcing, manufacturer, shipping, money, vendor sales.

If we could get this off the ground I think it could be a model that all the current MUD forums could do.

The whole idea needs to be based around us not doing this to make money but to save money and provide more parts to everyone that are currently unavailable.

Thoughts? Ideas? Concerns? Legality?

[cruiser_guy]

I have no problems with that. I'm still working on the replica of the sill pieces (I know Lou had some but I want the OEM look all the way).

The problem I see is we are dealing with a dwindling number of '55's out there and small runs cost money. Think of PV Cruisers, good product, fair price but everyone thinks it was too expensive because they want it for next to nothing!! Where did that leave him?

Folks need to realize that it costs to have a small run. Costs go up as the complexity goes up as well.

[Rusty55]

It will be hard to organize but I think it can be done.

[PabloCruise]

I think this sounds great.

It will do several things:

- It will maximize the number of units ordered
- It will have the largest impact on Pig population numbers (keep'em running)
- It may serve to optimize costs associated with import (think floorboards, etc)

It will be a chore to organize, but the rewards could be great!

[n2666s]

had a long talk with Marshall this morning and think this has proven to be a good idea........4 of us mudders Luke 111, Eric Ellis, RomedaveGA and myself were frustrated by the lack of different rubber seals ......got together recently and had the window and tailgate regulator channel rubber fabbed; we could only afford a short run..... we had the tailgate rubber fabbed; sold what we did not need.... took the remaining cash then had the window regulator rubber made....still have a few strips left over from people who had asked us to hold but have not been able to pay.......not a problem as all of us have been in that situation; we do not want to compete with people that are making a living off of parts but only desire is to fill a void; this could be done with other parts such as floorboards, sheetmetal corners.....rubber seals, etc; some parts are very complex and had a quote recently for the rear door fixed window sills out of OZ for minimum run of 200 seals with a deposit of 5000$ up front.......impossible for most of us to afford!
Totally agree with Marshall; as a co-op effort it can work........it has in the past .....just have to keep costs affordable....can't take a big financial loss but need to be able to cover costs....these could be spread among a group who would place the initial money in a "kitty" welcome ideas on how to put this together HTH

Lou

[John Smith]

I think it sounds like a fine plan. I would start with one part that has a huge demand and see what happens. I know the back door fixed window gasket is at the top of my list.

[cruiser_guy]

The fixed window gasket for the rear door is in process with Slocruisers so I suggest we not do that one (we'd like for those who are already servicing piggy needs to continue to do so and not feel like they are being bypassed).

We could look at door weatherstrip if the aftermarket doesn't work well. I've heard from some who say it's too tight and others who like it. Another suggestion would be front fenders in their entirety both upper and lower.

[Rusty55]

I would do a complete interior rubber kit if someone wanted to organize it.

[PabloCruise]

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

Another suggestion would be front fenders in their entirety both upper and lower.

What happened to the PVC Cruisers fenders?

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by PabloCruise

What happened to the PVC Cruisers fenders?

Since PV Cruisers is gone I assume so are the fenders (I don't think any ever got made, or at least I haven't heard of them).

[Eric Ellis]

Wellllll......... I like the idea, but when I think of the efforts gone flat I doubt that it can be done by anything more than a few very dedicated pig owners operating as a coherrent whole. This thread already has the air of degenerating into individual wish lists (as what happend on threads like the floorboard thread).

I know this is the first step of fishing for interest. But you see so much degeneration of threads of this sort. Not to go into overwrought philosophy, legal incorporation or some sort of Knights Templar syndrome- but as posts here suggest...certain absolutes here need to be codified by what ever body of people get together. For example, Not unfairly competeing with existent vendors whom might be inadvertantly driven out of buisness to the disadvantage of everyone. Or selecting common (not personal pet) projects that are stepwise within reach and build toward a kitty for larger projects.

With regard to Lou (n2666s) and Lou (Luke111) and Charles: These were not small undertakings in terms of their time and effort. They were do-able because of the quality of each individual involved and the relative smallness of each project materially. Each of these folks has also, possibly, experienced some of the effects of wishful (or wistfull) interest than then fell flat leaving them holding the bag (Not Charles yet I know).

To the ends of this thread I would suggest someone whom feels the "Great Pig Spirit" moving their wayward soul to organize this contact (PM's) persons whom they feel have the integrity and work ethic and personal association to invite them into such an effort. Then amongst themselves they should codify some principles of function (as alluded to above) and then perhaps pick a first project while otherwise debating other projects &/or creating "poll" threads to get feed back from the pig community at large.


Or in otherwords: someone be needing to pick up the ball and get real.

[cruiser_guy]

I totally agree with Eric. If this is going to move forward and actually accomplish something we need to move forward as a group. Also, many pigs need these parts but not all pig owners will have the cash available as these parts become available. I tried to get folks interesed in repro panels for the '45LV (another 'Cruiser that consists of "unobtainium", out of about 10 folks that said "Yes!" NONE stepped up when the time came to put their money on the line). Fortunately Eshan in Pakistan had the cash outlay then and not me.

I strongly suggest that this start and remain a "put the money up front FIRST" type of endeavor otherwise we will not get very far before we dig a deep financial hole. I know that anything I do will be a "cash up front" deal as it was with the brass rear window gears. I still am trying to get the sill plates done with sheet aluminum or stainless to match, as close as possible, the original shape.

SOR and others have not made alot of piggy parts for good reason. If there was money to be made they'd have made the parts by now. I think that John at Slocruisers is approaching it correctly, taking it slow and doing one piece at a time.

[ehsankiani]

This sounds like a good idea. Please count me in for any help on sheetmetal parts that you people would need. I have been having problems with people deffecting to another shop for the last one year but I am getting back on my feet now with a new shop and a new approach. We will soon have the capability to make the parts that you need.
Ehsan

[Luke111]

Eric, well said and yes someone need to step up!
I'm on board to help in anyway possible.
I do have a question, in the Weather Strip thread there's talk about having that fixed window rubber made and we also have Slo Cruisers making it and this is something we could all use. Has anybody had conversation with John regarding the cost and how soon will it be available?
This to me is one of those crossroads, can we have it made for less money? Should we continue this pursuit? Or get John on board with us?
I wiil step up and say, I can handle all the shipping, through our parts dept. (I'm in sales for Lexus so don't ask me if I can order the Nylon Gear)
Anyway, we should discuss and move forward with the fixed window rubber so someone should talk to John, see where he's at in the process.
Mashall since you came up with this awesome idea ,can you handle and help in creating a list of things we need. Somewhere to PM idea's.


Lou

[Lil'John]

I'm one of those poor newbie pig guys that came in late to the game for getting some of the replica rubber so I'm always looking for that. I'm mostly short wing windows(available), fixed window(hopefully soon available), rear taillight base gasket(not available that I've heard), front grill gaskets(also not available), and mirror gaskets(not available without mirror)

I have very little sheet metal needs on mine aside from that rear reflector/reverse light area... and a passing interest in the bubbled area on the front fender(custom opening up the fender for larger tires while keeping stock bubble around it)

I'm also one of those guys who will put his money where his mouth is If any of the above things pop up, I'll be in for at least of set of each.

Georg contacted John over at Slo and was told another run for the fixed windows was in the works in the near future(not sure whether near future is in terms of weeks or months ).

The lower fenders(front or rear) seem to be a large issue(two out of three pigs at Georg and Don's shop are rotted... and mine isn't one of them ) So I can see those being a good idea.

I thought SOR had the uppers in fiberglass

The biggest issue as mentioned is trying to get people over the cost. Too often, it is the "but it is just a piece of rubber, why is it $350(fill in price)" as evidenced by a recent thread.

[romegadave]

I can see a poll will be necessary in the future. I agree with what has been mentioned above and that we will need a responsible person to spear head the project. I also feel that we should set the bar high w/ a minimum contribution of $100. Its also my opinion that this kitty is a project for the benefit of all pig owners but there may be times when the fabrication of certain items will not be applicable to others. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that we all know the cost of these things and we do it out of the enjoyment of owning/driving them. I'm enjoying the inter action and group effort that is taking place. That being said I also realize that money is tight so we will have to be patient and allow time to build these funds when the time is right.

[John Smith]

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

The fixed window gasket for the rear door is in process with Slocruisers so I suggest we not do that one (we'd like for those who are already servicing piggy needs to continue to do so and not feel like they are being bypassed).

We could look at door weatherstrip if the aftermarket doesn't work well. I've heard from some who say it's too tight and others who like it. Another suggestion would be front fenders in their entirety both upper and lower.

Thanks for the information about Slocruisers working on that gasket, I had no idea. I agree that it would be very poor form to reproduce a part someone else is already working on. How about a poll to find out what people really want / need? You could include things like front fenders, rockers, patch panels, etc.

[Trollhole]

Originally Posted by Luke111

Eric, well said and yes someone need to step up!
I'm on board to help in anyway possible.
I do have a question, in the Weather Strip thread there's talk about having that fixed window rubber made and we also have Slo Cruisers making it and this is something we could all use. Has anybody had conversation with John regarding the cost and how soon will it be available?
This to me is one of those crossroads, can we have it made for less money? Should we continue this pursuit? Or get John on board with us?
I Will step up and say, I can handle all the shipping, through our parts dept. (I'm in sales for Lexus so don't ask me if I can order the Nylon Gear)
Anyway, we should discuss and move forward with the fixed window rubber so someone should talk to John, see where he's at in the process.
Mashall since you came up with this assume idea can you handle and help in creating a list of things we need. Somewhere to PM idea's.


Lou

I've sent a PM to Woody about this. I'd like to make it a group and have it in the 55 section. By having a group we can allow only those wanting to join come in and have the ability to do individual threads about each subject with discussions under them. This would make things go a lot smoother and give an outline to the process. We can have a couple Mods in the section
so there is not just one person running the show. Also by having in in a group we won't be clogging up Tech with this stuff.

I'll work on contacting John next week and see what his thoughts are. Considering we will be as a group pooling our resources to make parts for our own use and then selling the remaining to Vendors to sell I don't see how they wouldn't like the idea. Assuming Woody does this for us we can start this week with getting some structure along with some rules. It won't be easy but I'm more than willing to help out. I'm no longer leading UC so I could use another project to help manage.

Also considering it is the end users who are making the parts you can assume we want the best part we can possibly afford.

I have all kinds of things I think we ought to look into manufacturing. Grommets, sheet metal, weather stripping, electrical components Etc....

This should be a fun process.


For those of you who are willing to put up some cash to get this off the ground and want some parts as cheap as possible. You need to start thinking about how much money you have accessible. I think everyone would need to put in the same amount. The rest can wait for Woody.

[Luke111]

Marshall, I'm thinking $150.- $250 should get us started. Also check my build thread. I'm making a pattern of the pigs floor area that we can use, if anybody wants a full carpeted floor.

Lou

[n2666s]

X 2 with Luke 111.....count me in;

Lou

[cruiser_guy]

I would probably be in, my truck is fairly complete so I'm not sure what I might all need at this point, and I could certainly help mod the discussion since I'm already modding a couple of other areas of the forum.

[John Smith]

I look forward to seeing this thing get going!

[FineWynsFJ40]

I'm in. If you want a machinist or welding people to do stuff, I can handle that since I am in the college of technology. When it comes time for $$ input, then I'm game. Either way, let me know.

[Ming89FJ62]

I'm interested as well. Sharing the financial committment plus sourcing or what ever.

[theSherpa]

I'm interested in being part of that group. I can only contribute some money up front and then buying product...no skills and no time!

Steve

[Trollhole]

Havn't forgotten about this thread. I've sent out a few e-mails to suppliers to see what they are capable of making as well as to a few vendors.

[cruiser_guy]

Well we have the forum but how do we get in on the privelge?

[Trollhole]

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

Well we have the forum but how do we get in on the privelge?

That would be me.

Go to your control panel (link is in the left hand corner under "Toyota Tech")

Look for the link on the left called "Group Memberships"

Look down towards the bottom "Pig Parts Group" select to join.

I'll make sure I look daily and get everyone on who wants to be a part of this. If you try to join and I haven't gotten you in send me a PM. I can forget to check.

Thanks Woody!

[jimhendrixx]

O I C!

thanks Trollhole!

[jimhendrixx]

ok ok I fingerd it out!