Aftermarket FJ40 Dash Pad
- Thread starter fjgoober
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I appreciate the feedback and you don't have to worry about coming across as rude. That is why I am posting this on ih8mud. I want to know what people think. I read everyone's response and try to take it all in realizing that I am within the realm of serious fj40 enthusiasts which is where I thought I would get the most honest feedback.
If I were you, I wouldn't worry about putting a logo on the outside. Those that order one from you will not forget where they got it, and my experience with other cruiserheads is that they are more than happy to tell you where they got a cool part from. Word of mouth, especially from the 'Mud crowd, is strong indeed. If you put a quality product out there (and this certainly looks to fill that description) you will be referenced in many a thread to come. This includes those that show it in their build thread, as well as those who direct anyone who asks where to get a good replacement. I have seen many many referrals of that nature.
It may sound self defeating, but I would suggest putting your logo on the "mount side" to show that it is not OEM. That way, you have branded your product, but those looking for the original look will still be happy.
Durometer of 45-50 is close enough for me. Even manufactured sheet products have a range... And even with that have quite a bit of variability.
With my work we use a lot of foam for shoe modifications. 45-50, for reference, has some compressibility, but would be fairly rigid... Compareable to the midsole of many cross trainers.
I'd be ok with a logo... Just not in the middle of the dash. Somewhere more subtle or I'd certainly pass... I'd rather have a couple of cracks off to the side. As it is, a new dash is below a shiny pain job on the list... Which is years off.
With my work we use a lot of foam for shoe modifications. 45-50, for reference, has some compressibility, but would be fairly rigid... Compareable to the midsole of many cross trainers.
I'd be ok with a logo... Just not in the middle of the dash. Somewhere more subtle or I'd certainly pass... I'd rather have a couple of cracks off to the side. As it is, a new dash is below a shiny pain job on the list... Which is years off.
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X2 on the outside label. I would also think about selling a package that includes both the upper and lower pads. That way, they all will match w/ the subtle texture details. I bought an OEM upper pad, and then OEM lower pads about a year later......they are not a 'perfect' match(but I'm critical). I would love to get a set of roll bar pads, I've never seen new ones for sale. Also, you can't find OEM center consoles on the latter model FJ40s like my 1980. Be nice if you developed that part as well. If you build a nice product, I don't think $300 for the upper pad is too high, although $275 might be a better marketing strategy. I agree about the brand loyalty guys have about their FJs, and their wanting to tell every one about their rigs and the products they use.
For those of us with RHD vehicles, the label would certainly be in the wrong place and would turn me off to purchase.
Might I suggest no label?
If there is no label and the thing is just textured all over, I'm in for buying one.
If there is a label, I will just re-work and then upholster mine with leather.
Best,
T
Might I suggest no label?
If there is no label and the thing is just textured all over, I'm in for buying one.
If there is a label, I will just re-work and then upholster mine with leather.
Best,
T
My original is actually in pretty good shape so I'm not in the market for one of these yet. But I wouldn't go for the logo on the face either. Another concern with aftermarket dashes is they sometimes warp in intense heat. I would think with a background in making things for construction equipment that wouldn't be an issue here. On pricing I agree it should be closer to $200 if you want to sell a bunch of them. I've bought a few dash pads for early 80's mustangs that are a lot more complex in the $200 range. It also looks like the grain texture doesn't match OEM. This wouldn't be a deal breaker for me especially if you were doing the lower pads too. But for many it would be. And from the sounds of it you've battled with this quite a bit already.
Logo is a deal breaker 
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FYI, There are us who are interested and don't post. Your market is pretty good.
Thats a great looking part...
Just to echo some feed back:
The logo makes this a non starter at any price point above a 60 dollar dash cap.
At 300 bucks I buy a Dashman box. (There is a small but solid market for "caps" that make a dashman box look more OEM however...)
At $250 I think about it and stare at my cracked OEM pad long enough for your first and only production run based on a group buy to come and go.
At $150 I am committed to the group buy...
As far as tooling and development costs go projects like this are more of a labor of love than a good business model. Your tooling and time are sunk costs no matter how many you make going ahead. You did it for yourself and your buddies and thats what brings us into this hobby. Charge us a fair rate for production time and materials and watch the orders stack up.
Just to echo some feed back:
The logo makes this a non starter at any price point above a 60 dollar dash cap.
At 300 bucks I buy a Dashman box. (There is a small but solid market for "caps" that make a dashman box look more OEM however...)
At $250 I think about it and stare at my cracked OEM pad long enough for your first and only production run based on a group buy to come and go.
At $150 I am committed to the group buy...
As far as tooling and development costs go projects like this are more of a labor of love than a good business model. Your tooling and time are sunk costs no matter how many you make going ahead. You did it for yourself and your buddies and thats what brings us into this hobby. Charge us a fair rate for production time and materials and watch the orders stack up.
Nice Work! Thanks for taking the time to make a quality replacement.
Pictures are a bit blurry so anything with higher res would be good. Side by side with OEM dash texturing would be perfect.
Logo visible while driving and I wouldn't buy. Logo to side viewable only when door open is OK. No logo = preferred. I want to see only what Toyota intended as far as logo/text while driving. As another said, make something nearly indistinguishable from OEM and word of mouth takes over in this crowd.
$250'ish and I'm likely a buyer (plug-n-play version). $300 and I'll wait for a new dash that comes around ebay every blue moon - just saw one go for $350 (****!).
Pictures are a bit blurry so anything with higher res would be good. Side by side with OEM dash texturing would be perfect.
Logo visible while driving and I wouldn't buy. Logo to side viewable only when door open is OK. No logo = preferred. I want to see only what Toyota intended as far as logo/text while driving. As another said, make something nearly indistinguishable from OEM and word of mouth takes over in this crowd.
$250'ish and I'm likely a buyer (plug-n-play version). $300 and I'll wait for a new dash that comes around ebay every blue moon - just saw one go for $350 (****!).
- Thread starter
- #72
OK,
I cried all night long from you guys beating me up on the LOGO!!! Just jacking around. I was thinking about this today. I took my youngest daughter out fishing on the river with the fj40 this afternoon. On the way home I was trying to think of how I could get across to everyone what kind of material I was molding this with. I mean you see what I'm saying. You hear what I'm telling you but you don't know me from Adam.....So I thought I would do a video and post it on you tube.
I do apologize because in the video I referred to the website as ihmud and not ih8mud. I apologize because I do cherish this website. That being said watch the video. By the way this is highly technical footage and I fully anticipate to get a call from NASA for our techniques shown here.
IFD TESTING.wmv - YouTube
I hope the link works.
I cried all night long from you guys beating me up on the LOGO!!! Just jacking around. I was thinking about this today. I took my youngest daughter out fishing on the river with the fj40 this afternoon. On the way home I was trying to think of how I could get across to everyone what kind of material I was molding this with. I mean you see what I'm saying. You hear what I'm telling you but you don't know me from Adam.....So I thought I would do a video and post it on you tube.
I do apologize because in the video I referred to the website as ihmud and not ih8mud. I apologize because I do cherish this website. That being said watch the video. By the way this is highly technical footage and I fully anticipate to get a call from NASA for our techniques shown here.
IFD TESTING.wmv - YouTube
I hope the link works.
- Thread starter
- #73
In the above post I did not mean for you guys to stop with the ideas, opinions, criticism or any other thoughts you had. I have pretty thick skin and I really am listening to what everyone is saying.
I will tell you that I never wanted to put a Logo on the dash pad. What happened is that I had the tool cast in Texas. Worked on it two years later. Pretty happy with it until I started texturing the tool. (It is cast aluminum) Whil texturing it on the face the "Bottom fell out of it" meaning I had a big gas pocket in the aluminum right under the surface(This is called porosity and I had several small places of porosity on the top horizontal side as well but I could sand them out). I thought about it for awhile. If you look at the dash off of the vehicle it has negative draft. The place where I had the porosity I could not get in there with a cnc machine. That is when my machinist suggested putting a logo plate to "cover up" the porosity. That is where the logo came in.
I hope you enjoyed the video. My wife didn't like the Hillbilly impersonation.
I will tell you that I never wanted to put a Logo on the dash pad. What happened is that I had the tool cast in Texas. Worked on it two years later. Pretty happy with it until I started texturing the tool. (It is cast aluminum) Whil texturing it on the face the "Bottom fell out of it" meaning I had a big gas pocket in the aluminum right under the surface(This is called porosity and I had several small places of porosity on the top horizontal side as well but I could sand them out). I thought about it for awhile. If you look at the dash off of the vehicle it has negative draft. The place where I had the porosity I could not get in there with a cnc machine. That is when my machinist suggested putting a logo plate to "cover up" the porosity. That is where the logo came in.
I hope you enjoyed the video. My wife didn't like the Hillbilly impersonation.
I would get one also. $300 is chump change to compared to what is put in the truck. People will buy them for $300. They say they wont but they will.
pbgbottle
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nice ,i could use one also .i am also for the no logo. 
I'm badly in need of a dash for my 40 (it is literally falling apart), but I don't have the funds for anything for a while. I'm far from a purist, but the logo out in front is a big turn off for me. Like others have said, put it on the end, or somewhere else that is not visible while setting in the drivers or passenger seats.
The video did a good job of showing the toughness of the dash. Also did a good job of scaring me knowing how easy it is to have a hammer deflect during a bounce.
What I can see from the pics and the video the dash looks fantastic.
Don
The video did a good job of showing the toughness of the dash. Also did a good job of scaring me knowing how easy it is to have a hammer deflect during a bounce.
What I can see from the pics and the video the dash looks fantastic.
Don
After the vid, put me down for one , dayum !
I understand the logo thing, did that once myself , lol .
Sarge
I understand the logo thing, did that once myself , lol .
Sarge
Man, I was holding my breath on that windshield near-death experience. I would have hit everything BUT the dash. Greg, the durability seems to be exceptional. Since you are from OK and I from TX, we know the big killer for plastic is UV. I have read your earlier explanations that this same compound is used on construction equipment and has held up well for you over the years. I am impressed with the product and your ability not to be offended by the hard-a**es on IH8MUD. Very good demo. I hope we can make this happen....Without the logo, heh.
skully3
SILVER Star
I'm impressed; it looks allot like the arm pads on my computer chair. Is that the same technology or just something similar?
