Hood Blackout Panel Group Buy

[Manhattan]

Trevor at Crawlorado said they're ready to produce the 100 Series Blackout panel. Crawlorado makes the hood blackout panels for the 60s, the 80s, the FJC, the 4Runner, Land Rovers... but not the 100... until now.

Trevor said they'd create the template (and whatever else they do) if we can get him 5 buyers. Price would be $80 shipped.

Why a vinyl blackout, a.k.a. glare, panel?

• They knock down the glare from the sun - more common off-road because of odd angles; also happens on the street when conditions are just right... or wrong
• They go on with soapy water and a squeegee - and peel off when/if you decide to go back to stock
• They look cool. I've built/modified lots of SUVs and Jeeps and noticed something... when a relatively conservative truck or SUV is modified and the body is left stock, it can look disconnected - like it's "riding" on that modified chassis. Sliders, roof racks and bumpers can work to create more of an integrated look. I think the blackout panel can be a subtle way to tie the body to the black bumpers, sliders, rack, etc - furthering that integrated look. ($.02)

I'm in. So, we need 4 more.

Details:

• Solid matte black - no cut-outs
• 3M film (secret specs)
• Size to follow existing hood center hump - similar to pictured Land Rover but slightly narrower

Example:

 

[DirtDawg]

Interested. I'm assuming it would be the same for the LX?

 

[ed94r]

I am interested if LX ^^^

 

[TheForger]

I'm interested. I've thought about this idea before and how it would need to follow the lines of the hood. How narrow are we talking about? Will you be able to get dimensions? Sorry for the crude drawings but I'm trying to get a better idea of what it would look like.

Follows the edge of the step in the hood; Ends maybe mid-hood?

Narrower but still mirroring the edge of the step; Ending closer to grille

 

[beedo34]

why don't we make it cover ALL of the highest part of the hood so that it extends to the edges until it dips down (if that makes sense)? The real point of these things is to reduce glare so why not make the most of it?

EDIT: I just realized TheForger did that in his first try. My vote is the mix of the two: wider and longer. Anyway, Crawlorado can have my credit cart when they're ready if it works with an LX

 

[RobRed]

I'd be interested in this pending final design.

 

[abuck99]

Im interested but would like to see the Beta or the finished product on a 100 first.

 

[dfinn]

Im interested but would like to see the Beta or the finished product on a 100 first.

I'm in this camp as well

 

[chrisratz]

If it covers most of the hump portion of the hood, I'll take one. The glare I'm getting in the morning recently has been off the front right side of the hump.

EDIT: I'll commit to one. I agree with @Manhattan bringing more black to the top of the truck will make everything more cohesive.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

3M-1080 M12 Matte is the usual offering for anti-glare film.

J

 

[Battleship]

I'll take one. I might need two so I can mess one up and then do it right.

 

[TheForger]

I count 10. Time to get this thing rollin

 

[El Cid]

I did my entire hood already. The benefits are a) no glare b) makes it easier to clean c) Protects hood paint

Well worth it, cheap mod, I hope more will follow suit.

 

[Manhattan]

Here's the prototype:

 

[duggy]

I blacked out the hood when I did the Monstaliner and for long drives it helps with the glare off of the hood. I have a light bar up top and yes it helps.....but only a little bit for the glare at night. I just like the look of the blacked out middle portion of the hood which is why I did it.

 

[Manhattan]

Committed:
1. Manhattan
2. BuckeyeFan
3. chrisratz
4. beedo34
5. TheForger
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Questions for Crawlorado:
- Fluid nozzle remove or cut-out?
-

 

[TheForger]

I am committed as well @Manhattan Do you happen to know how it fits over the wiper fluid nozzles on the hood? Do we need to remove them, lay the vinyl, and cut out the holes before replacing them, or does this film fit around them?

 

[beedo34]

commited

 

[abuck99]

Here's the prototype:

Thanks for the update - I'm out.

Looking for more coverage than whats proposed- following the lines from where the raised portion of the hood meets the lower portion of the hood to cover the entire hump, not partial.

 

[Manhattan]

Thanks for the update - I'm out.

Looking for more coverage than whats proposed- following the lines from where the raised portion of the hood meets the lower portion of the hood to cover the entire hump, not partial.

I've never installed anything bigger than a window sticker on a car. But, it seems like having the vinyl wrap the bulge - the angles and corners - would require some stretching of the panel to lay flat. Would you heat it in place? I also wonder if it'd stay put - since it's not adhesive backed - making those angles/curves. But, again... I'm running on zero experience here.