Aftermarket FJ40 Dash Pad

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My 71 is missing the metal plate under the pad that it mounts to, so yes there are some of us out here that could use that part as well. I would leave my 71 without a pad but my 72 I would consider getting a new pad for, and 250 wouldn't be a bad price, heck there are far more expensive unobtanium parts for these rigs. Some one posted on here a while ago about a fiberglass dash replacement and it sounded like junk to me plus the hardness of fiberglass made me think why even put it on. I think your product is superior even to OEM with the amount of deflection it has. Good luck!
 
At $200 I would seriously consider it. Instead of a logo have some stickers made up, that way your product continues to be marketed. Nice work by the way.
 
Kayaker said:
I've hated the cheesy plastic cover I've had on my 72 dash pad since the day I bought it. It's only one degree better than the cracked original. I've subscribed so I can see how this pans out. If the price is right, I'm in.
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I also soon regretted not having bought a full replacement (since the cap doesn't cover the corners exactly), but the cap has held up so well for the past 7 years that I have not found a reason to replace it yet :meh:
 
I was more scared watching the video than when I was hitting the dash. By the way I don't drink beer and perform testing. That was more for the Hillbilly effect!!!

However, some of our best ideas have come up while throwing one back!!

I'm glad you guys liked the video. NASA called yesterday and we are going to start up a new testing facility in Kansas for them. Field Activity Testing or FAT facility for short!!!
 
Fast Eddy said:
When can we get one? (with no logo) :)
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With no logo.....It will be a long while and I don't know that I will go that route (read previous page I think page 3 where I explained why there was a logo). If I do go that route I will have quite a bit additional costs in the tooling!!

I have molded approximately 7 or 8 and presently working on the website to sell them.
 
What happens when a forehead comes in contact with your dash pad? Wasn't the OEM one somewhat designed to offer some "protection" (and I use that word loosely) to the passenger during a crash? Yours seems more firm than the metal dash behind it.

Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD
 
How to find you?

I'm going to need upper and lower dash pads for my FJ soon. If your pads come out nicely how am I to find you to order one? That is if you not going to sell them here on MUD? Also how long until you are ready to sell to the public? I'm in. I'll take one.
 
SouthBostonFJ said:
What happens when a forehead comes in contact with your dash pad? Wasn't the OEM one somewhat designed to offer some "protection" (and I use that word loosely) to the passenger during a crash? Yours seems more firm than the metal dash behind it.

Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD
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Really, did you watch the video...with your eyes open. It looks very comparable to modern cars firm but "giving" dash. Do you think the metal dash would give like that?
 
My71FJ40 said:
Really, did you watch the video...with your eyes open. It looks very comparable to modern cars firm but "giving" dash. Do you think the metal dash would give like that?
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No I always watch videos with my eyes closed. If you hit a modern car's dash with a hammer like he did, I think it would go though it on the first hit. The aftermarket dash rebounds the hammer like a lacrosse ball coming off a brick wall. Have you ever been hit by a lacrosse ball? It hurts.

Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD
 
SouthBostonFJ said:
No I always watch videos with my eyes closed. If you hit a modern car's dash with a hammer like he did, I think it would go though it on the first hit. The aftermarket dash rebounds the hammer like a lacrosse ball coming off a brick wall. Have you ever been hit by a lacrosse ball? It hurts.

Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD
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You might go back and read some of the earlier posts in this thread. One picture shows me compressing the dash with my thumb. That's hard to do with an OEM and it doesn't recover as well.

Another earlier post I went through the physics of IFD and durometer comparing our dash to the original. It is softer, I gave the numbers. There's not much more that I could tell you than the math. Well that's not really true, that's part of the reason I did the video to demonstrate it. The reason it rebounds is because of Indention Force Deflection and tensile strength of the skin. I am compressing the foam.

In reality I smacked the living daylights out of it that's why the hammer rebounded! If you like, I could make a new video and smack/crash an employee's head on it and see what happens. Better not, I have some really mean nasty guys working for me! They would beat me like a red headed step child!

Hope this helps.

To answer some other questions. I am still working on the website to sell them . (You know chemistry and engineering is a lot easier than jacking around with web-site development software!) I need to fill out the vendor package and get it back to Woody for IH8MUD and sell them on here.

In response to some of the comments on pricing....The product is superior to anything out there as far as dashes. However, our dash is new to the market, I am going to keep the price reasonable. I do like the dashbox idea though. That guy was pretty innovative!
 
I think I will have time tomorrow to finish the web-site, get my money into woody and release everything to you guys. I molded approximately 6 the other night. Unfortunately, due to production scheduling I will not be able to get back into that chemistry production runt for approximately two weeks.

Just trying to keep you guys posted. Thanks for your opinions and questions. If I have neglected to answer a question or an inquiry, please hit me with a two by four and ask again!!!

By the way, who posted the step by step process of setting up a ring and pinion gear with photo's. I thought it was on this website but I am unable to find the posting again. If it was here and the guy that did it ever reads it. (Fantastic procedure along with pictures), I want to thank you very much. I set up my rear end on my 78 fj40 this last winter, followed the step by step procedures and had it back out within a day. That is the most quiet that rear end has ever been.
 
I am using a crappy cover for my dash. It cost $85 and is truly crap. $250 and I am in, and I will trow a used dash pad with a crappy cover as and example of what not to do your way.
I got a great idea. How about making one with custom logo'? You might have to double the price to cover cost.

George
 
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mcwinery said:
I am using a crappy cover for my dash. It cost $85 and is truly ****. $250 and I am in, and I will trow a used dash pad with a crappy cover as and example of what not to do your way.
I got a great idea. How about making one with custom logo'? You might have to double the price to cover cost.

George
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That has been kicked around here, However I would have to machine each customized plate to insert into the tool. My machinist asked the same thing, he was hoping that would be the case. You can understand his motivation$$$$$$. It would cost considerable more. I don't think I would sell that many but I know some guys would want it. It is an option that I am keeping open.
 
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