Aftermarket FJ40 Dash Pad (2 Viewers)

[thecrazygreek]

This is the part I am speaking of.




As u can see, some have tried this.

 

[fjgoober]

Sure, it can be made. Now whether there is a Return On Investment (ROI) is another story.

Estimate Annual Units (EAU's)? Also what would need to be known is stress or loads that are on this. Fatigue from some type of cycling? I ask this because I have no idea what this thing does or how it works. Like I said I've no experience with soft tops.

The loads and the part's working world will determine what material it could be molded out of. Then we would need to determine how we would want to manufacture it, which will dictate the type of tooling. Due to a low volume, this could be that this is something that could be done in fiberglass or carbon fiber.

I will try to take some time next week to educate myself a little on the soft tops. However, we've got a cold front coming through........ So if I can I am going to take some time off to go duck hunting!!

 

[scrapdaddy]

earlier in the thread, 55 dash pads were mentioned. Anymore thought to those. Us 55 guys are feeling like the red headed step child. There is an early and late style, also.

Thanks for the effort, Ron

 

[fjgoober]

earlier in the thread, 55 dash pads were mentioned. Anymore thought to those. Us 55 guys are feeling like the red headed step child. There is an early and late style, also.

Thanks for the effort, Ron

Ron,

I haven't had a chance to look at the 55's as a project. There would be some significant obstacles to overcome. I could be wrong but there isn't that many 55's out there. Is there? The reason I say this is I have serious concerns if I could recoup my investment on the tooling.

I don't mean to sound so callous to the head redded stepchilds of the landcruiser world but I don't want to tie up a bunch of money on something that I can't sell. (I've already been down that dirt road.)

 

[scrapdaddy]

You are right, there sure isn't too many of them left. Not to get personal, but ballpark, how many would you have to sell, to make it worth your while.

Thanks again, Ron

 

[fjgoober]

You are right, there sure isn't too many of them left. Not to get personal, but ballpark, how many would you have to sell, to make it worth your while.

Thanks again, Ron

Ron,

Don't worry I like to ask the same questions and sometimes people get uncomfortable...sometimes not.

That is the hardest question there is when starting a product. I have very little experience in the aftermarket and to be honest with you the OEM's are much easier regarding that question. It's worse than playing craps in Vegas.

If I sold them at $250 each (Granted I don't know how big they are, I'm assuming they are similiar to fj40's) then I would have to sell about 100 before I would see any profit.

Problem is that I would imagine that it would take me years to sell 100 and that would tie up money that has a better return.

 

[fjgoober]

International Shipping

I have been trying to get something accomplished in international shipping. Most guys like USPS to receive products......Problem is, alot of countries have a shipping maximum length of 42 inches. Dash Pad is 52"

Below is a list of countries that allow a 52" shipped USPS:

Austria
Canada
Czech Republic
New Zealand
Denmark
Greece
Ireland
France
Germany
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Harve Cook Islands New Zealand
Holland
Hong Kong
Italy
Japan
Labrador Canada
Luxembourg
Manahiki New Zealand
Manitoba Canada
Melilla Spain
Monaco France
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Scotland
Slovak Republic
Spain
Spitzbergen Norway
Sweeden
Switzerland

I ran a quote in UPS to ship to Sydney Australia $268 WOW!!!!

I ran a quote through International Parcel Service (They will use FedEx, DHL, & UPS but claim they get a better discount because of their high volume) and the quote was $113.

KEEP IN MIND YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY THE DUTIES CUSTOMS ETC. when you receive the product.


Does anyone have any experience shipping with International Parcel Service?

 

[fjgoober]

International Shipping

Talked to my banker buddy today explaining the headaches of international shipping. He suggested I talke to one of his buddies that does alot of internet sales. So I called him.

This guy exports bicycles and parts all throughout the world. I informed him of the issues that I was having regarding the shipping restrictions on length of package via USPS. He informed me they ship hundreds of packages a month abroad and that he has never had one not ship as it was too long (He said alot of them were over 52"). We worked through USPS website and instead of getting a quote we just went ahead and did the package as a large box to ship.

No where did it stop me in the process it just wanted the weight when we were going to ship a package to Sydney Australia. The cost was right at $75 USD.

Now.....If someone from abroad wants to purchase the Dash Pad via our web-site you can contact me and I will run a cost of shipping it via USPS. I will e-mail you back and you can pay that through paypal and we will ship USPS.

If it doesn't work and the dash pad gets kicked back, I will refund your money via paypal.

Please note that on International Shipments you will not be able to buy it on the web-site as I don't have the USPS shipping calculator set up for international shipments. You will have to contact me via the web-site and I can tell you how much it will cost.

PLEASE NOTE: You will also be responsible for any tarriffs, duties, customs, etc. for getting it in your country (we can work something out that isn't so bad for you on this).

 

[fjgoober]

LOWER DASH PADS,

Thanks to all the guys who keep PMing or e-mailing about the lower dash pads. Keep rattling my chains.

I made some progress on the lower dash pads last night. It's getting closer. I hoping to have them available in January.

 

[SSCR]

Fjgoober, any chance you will have another sale, possible a combo price for the upper and lower dash in the future? With Christmas in 3 days, I'm a little strapped for cash and plan to get both the top and bottom any ways.

REMINDER for you guys that tomorrow is the last day (12/23/12) for sale prices on dashes!

 

[Gumby]

Ron,

Don't worry I like to ask the same questions and sometimes people get uncomfortable...sometimes not.

That is the hardest question there is when starting a product. I have very little experience in the aftermarket and to be honest with you the OEM's are much easier regarding that question. It's worse than playing craps in Vegas.

If I sold them at $250 each (Granted I don't know how big they are, I'm assuming they are similiar to fj40's) then I would have to sell about 100 before I would see any profit.

Problem is that I would imagine that it would take me years to sell 100 and that would tie up money that has a better return.

They are considerably larger and more complicated than a 40. They are much more similar to a modern car.

You would never sell 100 of them and I can't see you could do it for $250.

 

[scrapdaddy]

They are considerably larger and more complicated than a 40. They are much more similar to a modern car.

You would never sell 100 of them and I can't see you could do it for $250.

Now that's not the " can do " spirit, we were looking for.

I really think, I'm going to cut off the top seam and weld in all the holes. Paint it and call it good.

 

[FJsnoozer]

Any update on lower pads? I can't wait to add a set to my freshly painted dash.

 

[lelandEOD]

Lower dash pads, please! I need two complete sets!

 

[fjgoober]

I'm working on them. Keep rattling the chains by PM's, e-mails, and posts.

Getting closer but the problem is I haven't had much time for this project in about a month.

All that is left is to map out location of inserts in tooling, Finish machining, texture and we're there. Approximately 16 hrs of work. I am at least optimistic about next week working on it as I have my DD 40 parked in the project stall to for this. I should mention that it's been parked in there for the last three weeks and every day I walk by it telling myself I'm going to get to it today!

I know I said we would have them in February. That came and went pretty fast. I will have them for sale this month, that is unless we don't. Just kidding. I want to get this off my plate and out on the market.

Thanks,

 

[Healey]

Lower pads, lower pads, lower pads! When you have them available, I'm in!!!

 

[oldmuddog]

Me so Horny for lower Dash Pads.

 

[SSCR]

Lower dash pads and then a sale for a combo dash purchase!

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Lower dash pads and then a sale for a combo dash purchase!

X2 I'll need them all!

 

[fjgoober]

Me so Horny for lower Dash Pads.

Me like that! fj40 porn talk!