Aftermarket FJ40 Dash Pad

[fjgoober]

After market Dash Pad fj40
I have never posted but have read and learned a lot from this website.

I have been kicking around the idea for the last two years to build an aftermarket dash pad to sell for the fj40's. 3 weeks ago I decided to go ahead with the project. I am about two weeks away from having it complete (tooling inserts etc). I have no idea if there is a market for them just assumed there would be an interest as we manufacture similiar products for oem construction equipment. I am going to build out of integral skin polyurethane. Pretty tough but will be flexible and match the old dash.

I got the idea when I was tearing into my 78 fj40 and some knuckle head along the ownership glued outdoor carpet to the dash. It looked pretty ghetto!

Do you think there will be any interest? Let me know your thoughts.

 

[77HesterSue]

pictures would help! BTW, welcome to MUD

 

[SSCR]

Depending on price I think there would be a huge demand. Good luck and post pics.

 

[coinoperated40]

As said above about pictures.
If it looks, feels and taste like the OEM, and has a good price, I don't see why it wouldn't work.
Keep us posted.

 

[Sea Knight]

After market Dash Pad fj40
I have never posted but have read and learned a lot from this website.

I have been kicking around the idea for the last two years to build an aftermarket dash pad to sell for the fj40's. 3 weeks ago I decided to go ahead with the project. I am about two weeks away from having it complete (tooling inserts etc). I have no idea if there is a market for them just assumed there would be an interest as we manufacture similiar products for oem construction equipment. I am going to build out of integral skin polyurethane. Pretty tough but will be flexible and match the old dash.

I got the idea when I was tearing into my 78 fj40 and some knuckle head along the ownership glued outdoor carpet to the dash. It looked pretty ghetto!

Do you think there will be any interest? Let me know your thoughts.

Next you should consider making after market FJ40 roll bar pads.

 

[Bennett]

I need two

 

[Wasatch Jay]

I don't have a clue what "integral skin polyurethane" is, but if the fit is as good as oem and it looks and feels like an oem dash pad I'd be very interested...depending on price.

 

[fjgoober]

Pictures

Thanks for the welcome.

In answer to the above post. Integral skin polyurethane has approximately 1/8" thick "rubber" skin with a soft inner core foam. If you feel your steering wheel on many newer vehicles that have a soft feel but a rubber like skin that is an Integral skin. Lots of armrests are integral skin as well.

We manufacture several integral skin products for heavy equipment manufacturer as well as agriculture manufacturer located in the midwest utilizing this same chemistry. This stuff is tough. Much tougher than OEM vinyl but is still somewhat flexible.

This was the first prototype. It mounts well and sucks up nicely to the window. I was not happy with the texturing (porosity in tool) and I am reworking the tool. The last picture I am showing the flexibility of the material (I am pushing very hard).

Oh, ignore the background in the picture!!

 

[fjgoober]

Next you should consider making after market FJ40 roll bar pads.

Sea Knight,


I have but thought I would start with the lower dash pads after I finish this project. I've got another buddy that has a '71 and wants the roll bar pads and the older dash pad in a really bad way.

Because of rust issues, on the dash pad I went ahead and used 20 gauge vs the thinner OEM (I think it's something like 26 gauge). Thought about using stainless steel (As the plates in the dash on every fj40 I have had were rusted) but I had no way of locating/holding the back plate in the tool without the use of magnets in the tool.

I am interested in everyone's input/opinion as I want this to be something that people would want to put on their vehicle!

 

[cryoguy6075]

Let me know whet it is done. Depending on the price I will take one!

 

[DougAustinTx]

What ballpark are you looking at pricewise?

 

[fjgoober]

What ballpark are you looking at pricewise?

I was thinking about 1/2 the price of what Spector is asking for their OEM pad. So ball park would be around $300.

 

[Bear]

I think if you could keep the mass--produced price closer to $200, you could more than make up the lesser cost with more folks buying them.

Question: how well does your product hold up long-term to cracking from the sun, heat and cold when it's used on farm and outdoor equipment?

 

[fjgoober]

Bear,

I utilize uv inhibitors in the part. Holds up very well. I have been utilizing this chemistry for over 5 years and have yet to have any warranty issues. In fact the chemistry was specifically selected/formulated for it's "toughness" in harsh conditions. When we were designing the construction equipment application the lead design engineer comments were this: "You have to understand that Billy Joe Bob Bubba is going to be operating this thing with a belt buckle the size of a dinner plate. That belt buckle is going to be riding against this belly rest for 8 to 10 hrs a day. It has to wear well and be able to provide comfort!"

Upon visiting customers test facilities where they have machines in their bone yard and our products have been out in the sun, snow, sleet, and rain for 24 hrs a day for four years or so I can tell some wear. Sun is undoubtedly the most damaging variable to plastics. As with anything, proper care should be taken. How's that for a disclaimer?

I hope that answers your question.

I finished the texturing on the tool last night!! Hopefully this is the last time I have to take that thing down and rework it. Should be able to run more prototypes today to determine if it is ready to release.

Note: It just occurred to me that somebody might get the wrong idea. I am not attempting to sell products on this thread. Upon tearing apart several fj40's and seeing many other cracked vinyl dashes, and based upon my manufacturing background; I thought I could build a superior product at a lower cost than the dealer's cost for the OEM part. I wanted to see what the guys that are really into landcruisers thought. If there was a market out there and this project was worth pursuing. I have always appreciated being able to go onto mud and research answers to fj questions or find an easier way to go about repairing my fj40's. If I decide to market this product I will contact mud for the proper ways to accomplish that.

I really do appreciate the input!!!

 

[Fast Eddy]

Next you should consider making after market FJ40 roll bar pads.

If you need a pair to make molds, I would let you borrow the 'corner' pads that came in the later models ('79+?). One has some cracks, but should be good enough for a mold. The original pads have a metal plate molded in.

 

[Fast Eddy]

I was thinking about 1/2 the price of what Spector is asking for their OEM pad. So ball park would be around $300.

Sometimes the OEM one goes on sale at CruiserCorps for 20% off = $400 (edited. doh.). I've though about picking one up.

FJ40 Dash Pad - FJ40 & FJ45 - 1968 - 7/1984

You also have the Dashman box for $300. It is kind of a different market, but there is cross-over.

 

[75/76FJ40]

I really like this and I think as long as you are not trying to do a completely 100% accurate resto most others would be in the market for this as well. Well let me just say that I would be a buyer.
I like the fact that the pad actually has some give to it. The stock dash pad really has no give to it and I have had a few times where I was working on the cruiser and I have hit my head or my elbow pretty good to know that it does not give. Great work and I look forward to seeing where this goes.

 

[Sea Knight]

Sea Knight,
I...thought I would start with the lower dash pads after I finish this project.

SOR already offers aftermarket lower dash pads. I used them and thought they were superior in construction to the original pads they replaced. IIRC they weren't outrageously priced, especially considering they came from Specter.

Unless I missed something, I don't think aftermarket roll bar pads are available from any of the usual Land Cruiser vendors. Mike at Cruiser Corps told me they were investigating having aftermarket roll bar pads made, but that was at least a year ago and I don't know if he still has that on the drawing board. Scott or Mike at CC would know the status.

I was thinking about 1/2 the price of what Spector is asking for their OEM pad. So ball park would be around $300.

I think if you could keep the mass--produced price closer to $200, you could more than make up the lesser cost with more folks buying them.

x2

I don't think SOR is the best price benchmark. I would not be a potential buyer at $300. I would be at $200.

 

[JTeeg]

Sometimes the OEM one goes on sale at CruiserCorps for 20% off = $300. I've though about picking one up.

FJ40 Dash Pad - FJ40 & FJ45 - 1968 - 7/1984

You also have the Dashman box for $300. It is kind of a different market, but there is cross-over.

Current price on Cruiser Corps is $505 so 20% off is more like $400.

After market SOR lower dash pdas are OK, but don't quite match the finish of the OEM pads.

 

[thecrazygreek]

Totally interested in your product, but like others have said, I see me buying one at $200.00 rather than $300.00. I would also be interested in all pads on the cruiser, roll bar and dash, upper and lower.

Question, can you mold that stuff around any part? I'm thinking about the stock center console.

Oh, and when your done with those "prototypes" I will take them for a reasonable fee... maybe do a review etc?