60 Series Tailgate Lid “For Sale Thread”

[kevinmrowland]

Yeah, I'm interested in taking a look at the 100s, but I don't think the soccer moms at Wegman's would understand if I asked to look at their tailgates, and since those are the only ones I see around here, it may be awhile.
Seriously though, the first one of you I run across with a 100, expect to be delayed while I examine the tailgate.

And on stock, yeah, I do what I can, but even at this rate I have about 6k in inventory just with the hardware and parts, kind of daunting for a weekend cottage industry. I've got one drawer that at any given time has 2.5 to 3k just in stainless hardware.

Anyway, check this out, second generation tailgate lids:

 

[kevinmrowland]

Construction detail:

 

[NLXTACY]

Wow that is good looking!!

 

[Trapper50cal]

Fair enough

And on stock, yeah, I do what I can, but even at this rate I have about 6k in inventory just with the hardware and parts, kind of daunting for a weekend cottage industry. I've got one drawer that at any given time has 2.5 to 3k just in stainless hardware.

Fair enough!
The new pics look great!

 

[kevinmrowland]

Got the locking version of the plastic latches in today, these are exactly the same as the normal latches, but with a piddly little lock.
I wasn't really impressed with the security of the stainless 1/4 turn latches (which are at least 1/4 turn) due to the basic key blank (which the plastic locks share) so needles to say, I am not impressed.
To top it all off, I can break the lock with a strong pull on the latch, I have quite strong hands (if I do say so myself) but still not very encouraging from a security standpoint.
The stainless 1/4 turns are at least a nice upgrade from the push-to-close, but the lock itself is not really very secure.
For real security I think it may be better to develop a lock cylinder option separate from the latches. In either case a pry-bar would provide quick access.
Opinions?

 

[kevinmrowland]

And the broken latch:

 

[Corbet]

Opinions?

Our doors have locks. If someone has taken the time to get the truck open whatever latch you add is not going to stop them. Skip the locks and keep the price down. Or offer it both ways?

 

[NLXTACY]

If it has a lock, it requires a search warrant

BUT CORBET has a good point. It really doesn't matter how bad-a$$ the lock is, its still a plastic lid. Its NOT going to take much effort to get into it. I only really care about it being secure. So a good latch is far more important than a good lock. Besides if someone is inside the truck, the damage is already done.

 

[kevinmrowland]

Not to worry, the standard latch is the standard latch and will remain so. I choose it for simplicity and cost effectiveness, there are better ones out there, but I do not intend to make these any more expensive than they have to be.
The only reason I am going down the lock route is that there has been a lot of interest in that option. I don't intend to lock mine, because how many people would bother to think to look INSIDE your tailgate? Or your side panels for that matter.
I like the 1/4 turn option, not necessarily for the lock, but for the 1/4 turn compression, there would be NO way for those latches to come open unintentionally, a very nice feature, but if you look at a full set (2 side panels and one tailgate) of storage compartments, an upgrade to the 1/4 turns (locking or not) would be $300 extra dollars.
As much as I would like those for my own truck, I don't think I could ever justify the expense!
Just trying to feel things out because that box of latches would be a massive investment.


Oh, and Joey, even though the lids are "plastic" they are incredibly resilient. You would need a full size crow bar and some serious elbow grease to deform them to the point that the 1/4 turns would fail. On the other hand, you could give the plastic latches a tap with a hammer and be done with them.

 

[NLXTACY]

Oh, and Joey, even though the lids are "plastic" they are incredibly resilient. You would need a full size crow bar and some serious elbow grease to deform them to the point that the 1/4 turns would fail. On the other hand, you could give the plastic latches a tap with a hammer and be done with them.

LOL, sounds good to me then!

 

[CaliCruiser]

Dang dude these things are getting better and better! Is there some sort of seal on the new versions?

Dylan

 

[v8tuff]

Payment Sent!! Thanks everyone who vollunteered to let me slide in line, but that won't really be necessary. I can wait along with the rest of you.




This thing is gonna be sweet!

 

[OCHO4I]

Hey Kevin, I’m finally back and I wanted to go back to the locking latch options you were discussing in late June.

In looking at both the stainless and the plastic lock samples you’ve posted, it does seem that if the goal is security of the items in the tailgate, these locks are just not up to task. I agree that locking latches are a GREAT concept, but modifying the lid with a more secure center lock seems to be a better option at this point. I’m sure that we can all agree that a very secure locking latch would have been ideal, but it seems that fabricating, and then mass producing, such an item would be cost prohibitive.

Accordingly, please PM me, when time permits, so that I can order a replacement latch for the one that broke when I originally installed the lid.:whoops: (By the way, your lid designs just keep getting better and better. Perhaps I should have bumped myself further down the list in order to get the most recent version of the lid? )

 

[kevinmrowland]

Sorry for the delay, back from CMCC now.
I'll send out a replacement latch. The stainless option is a really nice one, and other than the very basic key blank (something that the casual observer would not be able to tell) is quite strong and secure, but boy are they expensive. I would like a set myself, but they are way out of my price range.

 

[PabloVTA]

will the 80's get one this year?

i have a stimulus check that needs to be stimulated.

 

[kevinmrowland]

You mean like this?

 

[OswaldtheBold]

Please add me to the list. (FJ60)

 

[kevinmrowland]

Added your name Oswald.


Ok, heres the deal for all the loyal thread followers. I know that things have been slow the last few months while I sorted out some new construction methods and business stuff, and I appreciate the patience. But now I have a handful of prototypes on my hands and I need to kick start the cash flow a bit.

So I have some stuff to sell, each one has some form of uniqueness but still meets all my quality standards. Some prices will be discounted a bit and folks on the lists have dibs on anything they want but since these are not production units I am selling them separately.
If any one has been itching for a lid this is your chance to jump in line.


-Posting pics now-..................

 

[kevinmrowland]

-SOLD-
First up is the lid pictured above.
I have three 80 series lids available, the one pictured (sticker included ) is almost exactly the same as the production ones.
Differences are: the edge does not come flush with the edge of the tailgate and a few of the holes are off about an 1/8", so a bit of drilling will be required to install, not to mention the huge hole to cut.
This lid is technically the strongest one, the back lip is made from 1/4x1 cold rolled steel, also makes it weigh a pound an a half more than the production ones.

Production units of the 80 lids are going to be $325 + shipping.
This one is $300 + shipping.
-SOLD-

 

[kevinmrowland]

-SOLD-
Next up are the two other 80 lids.

80 Lid #2 is the same as above but with 3/16x1 cold rolled steel lip. The edge is still not lined up with the tailgate edge, but the holes are closer to OE, so slightly less drilling.
$300 + shipping.

-SOLD-

80 Lid #3 is technically the same as the production units, lightest of the three, the edge is lined up with the tailgate edge and the holes should be spot on. It looks good, but has been put through its paces a bit, so $300 + shipping.
-SOLD-