ARCHIVE Owl plug-and-play LX courtesy/puddle replacement and rock lights

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LXstatic said:
That looks pretty rad, can't wait to get mine!! Can you turn them on while off-roading? Or is it just an unlock/lock/door-open function? Meant to ask this earlier...
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You can only turn them on by opening the door if your driving.

To get them to work on a switch, it wouldnt be super hard but you'd have to run the ground wire into the cab, to a switch, then to a ground.
 
Hmm, ok easy enough. Thanks!
 
4 more are tested and ready to go. I'll be sending PM's shortly for payment.

These 4 go out at $100 shipped. The next run will be next week and the price will go up a bit. I'll post more details when I get closer.

Thanks for your patients! I still haven't had time to make a set for myself. I get a bit jealous each time I test a set on my truck lol.
 
Ramathorn15 said:
I'd like some input from all of you on the list.

I took my template brackets to a fabrication shop today to get an estimate of how much they would charge me to cut and bend the brackets. They would be done with a machine so they would be way more symmetrical and would look much better than mine which are made completely by hand.

The problem is the cost goes up a decent bit.

So here are the two options I'm left with now.

#1. Keep hand making the kits at a price of about $120 shipped. It would take about a week a kit for me to build and they will be obviously hand built.

#2 charge about 175-200 shipped for kits with machine cut brackets. This route I could get the kits out much quicker.

I plan to offer in-between options too for kits without the plugs and just sell the brackets.

The issue is I have to order in relatively large scale to keep the price down. To do $175-200 per kit, I have to start with an order of 15 kits (60 brackets).

I guess the question is this, is $175-200 too much for you to consider for 4 - 18 gauge stainless brackets and 4 LEDs that are plug and play? And would you be out if I went that route?

I appreciate your input guys! It's always been a passion of mine to make things for cars and I'm hoping this might be my foot in the door to bigger projects if it goes well.
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Rami @Ramathorn15

My input/advice (and that's all it is) would be to let demand dictate your supply chain and labor process & decisions. Making them yourself until the demand picks up (hopefully) sounds like the right business decision to me. It keeps you from having to front the $$ for the fab shop to produce xx amount and lets you keep complete control (for now). If 50 more folks here on Mud place orders or you expand to offer a more generic Kit, or fab a mounting plate for the 80 series or the LandCruiser peeps (@maxse01) and sell thru a more robust sales platform, then mass fabrication will be in order (and that comes with its own challenges i.e. quality control, inventory management, etc).

Along the same vein - price the product where it needs to be and don't be afraid to make some $$ from it. Especially for your time. And I wouldn't bat an eye about a $25-$75 price increase to cover your costs, labor, profit margin, etc.

Have you searched for substitute product pricing? This one makes your setup look like a screamin' deal (i know its switched, but ...)

Rigid Industries A-Series Blue LED Rock Light Kit - 40023

That's my take - FWIW ...

I'm sure you have thought of this, but I'd at least have a demo model on your rig for HIH and another one "on hand" to touch/feel. I'm happy to be a RamBright demo truck (that is assuming you get to me on the list )

Necessity is the mother of invention ...
 
COGerding said:
Rami @Ramathorn15

My input/advice (and that's all it is) would be to let demand dictate your supply chain and labor process & decisions. Making them yourself until the demand picks up (hopefully) sounds like the right business decision to me. It keeps you from having to front the $$ for the fab shop to produce xx amount and lets you keep complete control (for now). If 50 more folks here on Mud place orders or you expand to offer a more generic Kit, or fab a mounting plate for the 80 series or the LandCruiser peeps (@maxse01) and sell thru a more robust sales platform, then mass fabrication will be in order (and that comes with its own challenges i.e. quality control, inventory management, etc).

Along the same vein - price the product where it needs to be and don't be afraid to make some $$ from it. Especially for your time. And I wouldn't bat an eye about a $25-$75 price increase to cover your costs, labor, profit margin, etc.

Have you searched for substitute product pricing? This one makes your setup look like a screamin' deal (i know its switched, but ...)

Rigid Industries A-Series Blue LED Rock Light Kit - 40023

That's my take - FWIW ...

I'm sure you have thought of this, but I'd at least have a demo model on your rig for HIH and another one "on hand" to touch/feel. I'm happy to be a RamBright demo truck (that is assuming you get to me on the list )

Necessity is the mother of invention ...
Click to expand...

I think I've come to the same conclusion and thanks for the advice! It's definitely a small nitche market so I figure once I work through the current list, it will die down very fast. I'm hoping to find a way to get these on regular cruisers but there are some logistics to worth though with wiring them up.

I will definitely have a set for myself come HIH and will hopefully have your set done by then as well. I'm hoping to pull into camp seeing lots of ground lighting up.
 
Here is a photo of the front frame under the DS door on my MY 99 LC.

DS-Frame-Front.webp
 
And here is the rear of the frame under the rear DS door.

DS-Frame-Rear.webp
 
I've noticed that that huge paperweight on my front frame rail is throwing off my light pattern so I am going to take it off. I am digging these lights though. They are nice.
 
Ramathorn15 said:
Shoot. I guess the LC (at least earlier years) don't have the same frame as the LX. I wonder if possibly newer year LC do... :hmm:
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I wonder if the new MY LCs might have nuts in those holes in the frame.
 
The 05/06 will definitely have them since they have AHC. I wonder if maybe they started using the AHC frames earlier though, like maybe in '03 when they put the 5 speed in.
 
Please add me to the list for a full set Ram. Thanks!
 
Hmm, Ive got the plug there on my '00 LX, but it didn't come with illuminated running boards. Ill have to see if theres power to it and if it switches with the door.
 
My 2000 LX has the plugs but no visible remnants of lights, either. I get my lights tomorrow and will find out if there's power.
 
What a great looking product! I had AHC on my LC but no lights on the running boards. Do you know if the power/connector for the lights is present on all AHC equipped LC's or just ones with the optional lighted running boards? Guess I'll have to crawl under the truck and investigate after work
 
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