GX460 3rd Row "In-floor" Storage Solution (3 Viewers)
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- Thread starter
- #22
Just an update: I'm nearly ready to offer these for sale, just finalizing details on the business/website/branding end, and figuring out how to pack and ship it.
backPAC Cargo Cache for GX460 (Just an 'Opening Soon' landing page for now)
Family road trip to Utah in the GX next week so expecting to go live first week of April!
backPAC Cargo Cache for GX460 (Just an 'Opening Soon' landing page for now)
Family road trip to Utah in the GX next week so expecting to go live first week of April!
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r2m
Richard
Glad you're pursuing this! Something that is very useful... for a fair price.
I forget, will this fit above existing third row? Or does one need to remove the third row to install your compartments?
- Thread starter
- #24
Thanks! It replaces the left (DS) 3rd-row seat.
Only modification to the stock parts is concerning the left flap of the GX’s rear cargo deck.
The structure of the flap needs to be removed (easily peels away from carpet) and the carpet is simply tucked behind my cargo box. But because no carpet or parts are cut, one can re-affix the structure to the flap of carpet with some automotive carpet adhesive. Or purchase a replacement rear deck.
I’ll be posting installation instructions on the website (when it’s live) but haven’t gotten to writing them yet.
Fair price is subjective but it will be a fair price with respect to the cost of manufacturing. The US made sheetmetal components make up the bulk of the cost to produce and this cost is highly sensitive to batch size. A lot of unknowns at this point and definitely can’t be selling these at a loss.
r2m
Richard
Agreed with what a "fair price" is.
I assume you will be doing both sides eventually?
Regarding instructions, a clear, concise video is always a plus! Go ahead and over "mansplane" things and cut the video into sections for easier forwarding/rewinding as necessary for the customer. Victory 4x4 uses videos for their installations and it really helps in ways that pictures and words sometimes miss.
In my field of engineering, I often had to write instruction manuals for manufacturing, and with many of the assemblers/operators, English was not their first language. We'd make (note, I didn't use the word "write") the manufacturing instructions with lots of photos and few words. Kind of like the manuals that we receive with products from China
flipoff2!
- Thread starter
- #26
Yes, I plan to have both sides on offer soon enough. Should be basically a mirrored design, with some shared components, but there is what I think is a keyless access antenna on the floor under the right seat which I’ll need to verify the box clears.
That’s a good point on doing video instructions! (But then I’d have to be in a video
)
In my field, we often have to write dev level instructions for a new feature or design and then work with technical writers to polish them into service or user docs. They’re used worldwide, so we always get some unanticipated interpretations of what the instructions say and get folks “wrapped around the axle”.
Just in the past few years, we started supplementing with videos, especially early in a product’s life, and there is definitely a lot of unspoken instruction that can be gleaned from a video. Hardest part for us is videos are huge and not all installation sites have useable network access for our people.
That’s a good point on doing video instructions! (But then I’d have to be in a video
)In my field, we often have to write dev level instructions for a new feature or design and then work with technical writers to polish them into service or user docs. They’re used worldwide, so we always get some unanticipated interpretations of what the instructions say and get folks “wrapped around the axle”.
Just in the past few years, we started supplementing with videos, especially early in a product’s life, and there is definitely a lot of unspoken instruction that can be gleaned from a video. Hardest part for us is videos are huge and not all installation sites have useable network access for our people.
I think what I like most about your design is that it preserves factory look while adding latchable storage without impacting the utility of the most usable third-row seat.Yes, I plan to have both sides on offer soon enough. Should be basically a mirrored design, with some shared components, but there is what I think is a keyless access antenna on the floor under the right seat which I’ll need to verify the box clears.
That’s a good point on doing video instructions! (But then I’d have to be in a video
In my field, we often have to write dev level instructions for a new feature or design and then work with technical writers to polish them into service or user docs. They’re used worldwide, so we always get some unanticipated interpretations of what the instructions say and get folks “wrapped around the axle”.
Just in the past few years, we started supplementing with videos, especially early in a product’s life, and there is definitely a lot of unspoken instruction that can be gleaned from a video. Hardest part for us is videos are huge and not all installation sites have useable network access for our people.
- Thread starter
- #28
That's the part I like too, but obviously because my family actually uses the remaining 3rd-row seat on occasion. And all of my cars to date have been unibody with some form of underfloor storage in the back (except I had a Jeep YJ once upon a time).
That said, for those without any need of the 3rd-row seats, I do think two of these side-by-side would offer a great deal of low-profile utility, factory look, and 14 linear feet of L-track rails.
I am VERY interested in a both sides option! One large unit with a divider in the middle with two separate access doors. This would permit two access points, the divider could be removed to allow one large compartment, etc.Yes, I plan to have both sides on offer soon enough. Should be basically a mirrored design, with some shared components, but there is what I think is a keyless access antenna on the floor under the right seat which I’ll need to verify the box clears.
That’s a good point on doing video instructions! (But then I’d have to be in a video
In my field, we often have to write dev level instructions for a new feature or design and then work with technical writers to polish them into service or user docs. They’re used worldwide, so we always get some unanticipated interpretations of what the instructions say and get folks “wrapped around the axle”.
Just in the past few years, we started supplementing with videos, especially early in a product’s life, and there is definitely a lot of unspoken instruction that can be gleaned from a video. Hardest part for us is videos are huge and not all installation sites have useable network access for our people.
signed up on the webpage alerts.
- Thread starter
- #31
I'm pretty sure I've settled on a price, but not quite ready to commit to it until the website is live.
I'm planning to have an intro sale on the first batch or so and only announce shop opening here, at first.
As for the second side, it may be a few months before I get that built, fit tested, and on sale.
- Thread starter
- #32
That's a cool idea. I'll have to think on that.
If using a similar structure as the current design, I fear the pass-through between the hatches would only be a couple inches tall and probably not continuous as it holds up the center sections of the platform.
MrTorgue
Grizzly Clint
Got a ballpark that you could share?
- Thread starter
- #34
Yeah, introductory sale at around $700.
I totally understand: manual labor, small batches etc.
But that's a steep price tag.
Any chances you'll be selling just the metal box as an option?
Plywood, latches, 3d printed parts are fairly easy to DIY or source locally.
- Thread starter
- #36
It's steeper than I hoped, but truthfully not much left on the bone at that price. Definitely couldn't maintain that price long term.
As for the bare metal box option, if I strip all the plywood parts (+sealer & carpet), latch, and 3D printed parts out, I'd still have to offer the metal box (with L-track, hinges, and hardware) at a ballpark $550 sale price. One might be able to DIY those parts for ~$120 but more likely after sales tax and shipping, cost will be right back near $700, or more.
OOF. I paid $1200 for my dobinson drawers..... :sad:
- Thread starter
- #38
Fair enough, though I’m sure Dobinsons has a little more scale and in-house capabilities to bring production costs down.
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- Thread starter
- #39
Getting ready for this week's road trip, off-roading, and camping and really pleased with the L-Track for securing heavy stuff.
Will secure the 5 gal water jug behind it and tether other hard/heavy items I don't want tossing about, like the tire inflator.
This is what I've been wanting. Excited to get the season started.
Will secure the 5 gal water jug behind it and tether other hard/heavy items I don't want tossing about, like the tire inflator.
This is what I've been wanting. Excited to get the season started.
BUT! that does not mean I'm not interested. =)
