The Rust Farmers 60 Series Dash Pad Pre-Order/ Group Buy
- Thread starter dbbowen
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- dash fj60 reproduction
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- Thread starter
- #142
looks like there should be a long message with a bunch of photos coming out tomorrow. He asked me to wait until he sends it to the email addresses and then post it here!
I need a good Christmas gift 
- Thread starter
- #144
Here is the email The Rust farmers sent out:
Hi All-
An updated on the dash pads. I received version 1.0 in August and rejected the version. I’ve attached write-up notes from test fit and subsequent autopsy I performed on the sample dash v 1.0.
I met with the supplier in Sept. and expressed my frustration with the quality and delays with the first sample they provided. I expressed the quality requirements that both I and the larger cruiser community had with restoration grade parts. To that end they agreed to build a new tool starting in September and stated the sample will be completed by the end of Sept. I wanted to meet with him in person to deliver the news, because that meant scrapping of tooling on his part, and to create accountability sitting across the table.
I met with the supplier again, face to face in Nov and was told no problem it would be done, by end of Nov. I’ve followed up 2-3 times per week with them. Note the timeline they provided in Sept. was not reasonable and I had my doubts.
Fast forward to this week and we have new stamped metal, version2.0. I’ve attached pictures of the stamped subcomponents as well as a fixture that was used to weld the metal frame. The tooling is now three parts, rather than one. This will allow for better fitment as the curves were too complex to shape with one tool.
The vinyl wrapping and urethane foam application on sample should be completed by the end of this week. I am expecting to test fit before the end of this year. I’m planning to visit the supplier again in Jan or Feb and inspect the progress on production. This is a known supplier to me as I’ve used them for other projects, without these delays.
I’ve held off providing an update until we had met several critical milestones. I held off on sending out the write-up as I didn’t want to spook anyone who isn’t familiar with how messy product development can be. This is a known supplier to me as I’ve used them before. This project will be completed.
Based on the timing of how this project is coming together I anticipate having the dash in your hands by end of May. This is longer than originally communicated, and I am not willing to sacrifice quality for timeliness. I feel very comfortable with this timeline, based on progress the past eight weeks.
Seth
PS. Below is a small narrative of each picture in the process for those not familiar with fabrication/ manufacturing
Dash Frame Final State- This picture shows all three sub-sections that are stamped, post welding in the fixture
Dash Frame Welding Three Parts- This is a fixture used in small scale production to hold components together in a manner that allows repeatable tolerances while welding
Dash Main Body Section Fresh Stamp- This is the main body of the dash post stamping with the excess material still attached. The material is typically removed by cutting via human or a robot
Dash Main Body Section- Cleaned-up product from the previous photo
Driver Side Nozzle Section- Cleaned-Up Section Post stamping, pre-welding
Instrument Cluster Section- Cleaned-Up Section Post stamping, pre-welding. Given the complexity of the curves with this section, drawing the metal cleanly is more difficult in a larger tool. Having a stand-alone tool for this section will allow for a cleaner draw of the metal and fitment.
Note from me @dbbowen :
Kind of interesting, but the attached PDF is 22 pages and TONS of images about how the old dash was rejected and how he corrected the mistakes on the first one. This level of production is WAY above my head. Dude went through every Millimeter of the first dash they produced and documented it on the attached pdf. pretty crazy
Hi All-
An updated on the dash pads. I received version 1.0 in August and rejected the version. I’ve attached write-up notes from test fit and subsequent autopsy I performed on the sample dash v 1.0.
I met with the supplier in Sept. and expressed my frustration with the quality and delays with the first sample they provided. I expressed the quality requirements that both I and the larger cruiser community had with restoration grade parts. To that end they agreed to build a new tool starting in September and stated the sample will be completed by the end of Sept. I wanted to meet with him in person to deliver the news, because that meant scrapping of tooling on his part, and to create accountability sitting across the table.
I met with the supplier again, face to face in Nov and was told no problem it would be done, by end of Nov. I’ve followed up 2-3 times per week with them. Note the timeline they provided in Sept. was not reasonable and I had my doubts.
Fast forward to this week and we have new stamped metal, version2.0. I’ve attached pictures of the stamped subcomponents as well as a fixture that was used to weld the metal frame. The tooling is now three parts, rather than one. This will allow for better fitment as the curves were too complex to shape with one tool.
The vinyl wrapping and urethane foam application on sample should be completed by the end of this week. I am expecting to test fit before the end of this year. I’m planning to visit the supplier again in Jan or Feb and inspect the progress on production. This is a known supplier to me as I’ve used them for other projects, without these delays.
I’ve held off providing an update until we had met several critical milestones. I held off on sending out the write-up as I didn’t want to spook anyone who isn’t familiar with how messy product development can be. This is a known supplier to me as I’ve used them before. This project will be completed.
Based on the timing of how this project is coming together I anticipate having the dash in your hands by end of May. This is longer than originally communicated, and I am not willing to sacrifice quality for timeliness. I feel very comfortable with this timeline, based on progress the past eight weeks.
Seth
PS. Below is a small narrative of each picture in the process for those not familiar with fabrication/ manufacturing
Dash Frame Final State- This picture shows all three sub-sections that are stamped, post welding in the fixture
Dash Frame Welding Three Parts- This is a fixture used in small scale production to hold components together in a manner that allows repeatable tolerances while welding
Dash Main Body Section Fresh Stamp- This is the main body of the dash post stamping with the excess material still attached. The material is typically removed by cutting via human or a robot
Dash Main Body Section- Cleaned-up product from the previous photo
Driver Side Nozzle Section- Cleaned-Up Section Post stamping, pre-welding
Instrument Cluster Section- Cleaned-Up Section Post stamping, pre-welding. Given the complexity of the curves with this section, drawing the metal cleanly is more difficult in a larger tool. Having a stand-alone tool for this section will allow for a cleaner draw of the metal and fitment.
Note from me @dbbowen :
Kind of interesting, but the attached PDF is 22 pages and TONS of images about how the old dash was rejected and how he corrected the mistakes on the first one. This level of production is WAY above my head. Dude went through every Millimeter of the first dash they produced and documented it on the attached pdf. pretty crazy
Last edited:
4runner2FJ60
SILVER Star
Looks awesome and worth the wait!
- Thread starter
- #146
yeah its a bummer its going to take a few more months, but id really rather someone with OCD like that going through it to make sure it all fits right before we get them haha
Back in the day, they used to call us folks with "OCD" "detail oriented", as a former machinist, this was very much a desired trait.
. Looks like Seth/Rust Farmers are doing a proper FAIR (First Article Inspection Report). hats off to them! While painstaking, this will ensure we get a great product.Thanks for the ongoing updates and comms, much appreciated.
Cheers, James
- Thread starter
- #149
Back in the day, they used to call us folks with "OCD" "detail oriented", as a former machinist, this was very much a desired trait.
Thanks for the ongoing updates and comms, much appreciated.
Cheers, James
Sure thing man! I want to know the status just as much as everyone else does haha
- Thread starter
- #150
maybe once theyre in full production they can mirror them, it would be worth asking about!
I need one in brown for my 87, any updates
A few posts up the situation is explained. Probably a few months out, yet.
You can look on the rust Farmers website for more information and ordering
You can look on the rust Farmers website for more information and ordering
About to put a deposit down, been monitoring this thread. Have there been any updates?
Not since December.
FYI, those of us who jumped in on the pre production buy received this message from Seth of the @TRFarmers on 6th March. Looks like he is making good progress. I for one really appreciate his level of detail. In his previous comms, he went into a long description regarding the first article inspection findings. Having done this myself, it’s really encouraging to see his transparency throughout this process.
Hi All-
Hopefully all of you received my last update in February 14th. If you did not, le me know and I will forward you the update.
Sample is on track to be completed March 10th. I should have it in my hands 7-10 days. May is tight, but still possible, if the sample meets my quality expectations.
Thank you for your ongoing trust.
Seth
Seth Smith
(310) 800- 2972
www.TheRustFarmers.com
Come meet us at the following events:
60Meeting- Nov. 22 & 23, 2025 Kyoto, Japan
Long Beach Toyotafest- May 30th, 2026 Long Beach, California
NorCal Toyotafest- June 27th 2026 Yolo County Fairgrounds, California
Classic Land Cruiser Expo- Oct. 17th 2026, Caboolture Queensland, AUS
Hi All-
Hopefully all of you received my last update in February 14th. If you did not, le me know and I will forward you the update.
Sample is on track to be completed March 10th. I should have it in my hands 7-10 days. May is tight, but still possible, if the sample meets my quality expectations.
Thank you for your ongoing trust.
Seth
Seth Smith
(310) 800- 2972
www.TheRustFarmers.com
Come meet us at the following events:
60Meeting- Nov. 22 & 23, 2025 Kyoto, Japan
Long Beach Toyotafest- May 30th, 2026 Long Beach, California
NorCal Toyotafest- June 27th 2026 Yolo County Fairgrounds, California
Classic Land Cruiser Expo- Oct. 17th 2026, Caboolture Queensland, AUS
- Thread starter
- #156
Thanks for posting this, i hadnt gotten around to posting it!
Anytime!
- Thread starter
- #158
Just got an update email on the dashes last night. If you are on the group buy, im assuming you got it as well. Im personally going to continue waiting, but if the length of the project is becoming an issue, it looks like hes giving the option for folks to opt out. I personally would rather have the perfect dash.
Seth Smith
Wed, May 6, 8:28 PM (12 hours ago)
to
Hi All-
An update on the dash project.
The dash looks amazing and we still have three issues after seven generations of prototypes:
1. The metal opening for the air registers center point is not aligned with the center point for the opening in foam. Meaning we have two circles not lining up, making install of the air registers awkward.
2. The foam density is incorrect making the foam too stiff.
3. The adhesion of the top layer (I’ve been calling it vinyl, but it’s actually ABS) is not adhering at the edges in a satisfactory manner.
The metal stamping company and the foam/ABS skin company are not the same company. Metal stamping is great. The metal stamping factory sourced the foam company, and we were not allowed to qualify the company (learning moment for me moving forward).
My business partner in China is sorting out with the metal stamping company on how to proceed. I just spoke with him Tuesday night (5/5).
We have several options:
1. Qualify a new foam company (High probability of success)
2. Continue to work with existing supplier (low probability of success)
3. Send out what I have now (not good for you, not good for TRF)
I will post a short video to Instagram for those of you who cannot visualize the issues I’ve outlined (pics worth 1,000 words). IG Handle: The_Rust_Farmers
From my side this project has been 100% paid for. This is not an issue of money and will I not have an issue recovering money from the supplier.
I am committed to completing this project. You have placed your trust in me, there is a need in the community, and it will help the business grow.
It’s coming up on two years now. Thank you for your patience. I can refund all of you and it will greatly slow down product development on FJ60/62 products that you as a community have asked for. What we have planned for this year is:
- Fuse cover panel in Late and Early Brown and Grey,
- 60 series instrument cluster bezel
- 4wd button bezel (was a blank on 60’s but there, and used on 62’s)
- AC bezel blank for 62’s, plastic side cover for 60/62 seats,
- Front scuff panels on the interior side of the front door 60/62, vertical where your fit would kick the side wall
- Rear seat retractable covers below the cargo window trim,
- True 60 series cargo window trim (right now the trim is technically for the 62 series)
- Good front window visors and clips (60/62 series)
- Front Seatbelt bolt covers where they attach to the B-Pillar (60/62 series)
- Some stuff for the 40 series folks
- Some stuff for the 70 and 80 series folks
I don’t have a completion date yet as the sample dash was shipped to me three weeks ago with a transit time of one week, held up in customs for one week, then China took a five day holiday. Last night was my first change to discuss the project with my team. My team is amazing. It’s a second generation relationship and they have helped me execute every other concept on the site.
For those of you who bought in at $599, the current price is $799, plus freight (most of you at $599 didn’t pay freight). The pad when available will increase to $899 due to tariff's, rising fuel costs (Materials and Ocean Freight), and shipping fees (UPS due to fuel).
Please stick with me. I will get this done and I will communicate when I have a reliable ETA or in three weeks, which ever is sooner.
With gratitude,
Seth
Seth Smith
Wed, May 6, 8:28 PM (12 hours ago)
to
Hi All-
An update on the dash project.
The dash looks amazing and we still have three issues after seven generations of prototypes:
1. The metal opening for the air registers center point is not aligned with the center point for the opening in foam. Meaning we have two circles not lining up, making install of the air registers awkward.
2. The foam density is incorrect making the foam too stiff.
3. The adhesion of the top layer (I’ve been calling it vinyl, but it’s actually ABS) is not adhering at the edges in a satisfactory manner.
The metal stamping company and the foam/ABS skin company are not the same company. Metal stamping is great. The metal stamping factory sourced the foam company, and we were not allowed to qualify the company (learning moment for me moving forward).
My business partner in China is sorting out with the metal stamping company on how to proceed. I just spoke with him Tuesday night (5/5).
We have several options:
1. Qualify a new foam company (High probability of success)
2. Continue to work with existing supplier (low probability of success)
3. Send out what I have now (not good for you, not good for TRF)
I will post a short video to Instagram for those of you who cannot visualize the issues I’ve outlined (pics worth 1,000 words). IG Handle: The_Rust_Farmers
From my side this project has been 100% paid for. This is not an issue of money and will I not have an issue recovering money from the supplier.
I am committed to completing this project. You have placed your trust in me, there is a need in the community, and it will help the business grow.
It’s coming up on two years now. Thank you for your patience. I can refund all of you and it will greatly slow down product development on FJ60/62 products that you as a community have asked for. What we have planned for this year is:
- Fuse cover panel in Late and Early Brown and Grey,
- 60 series instrument cluster bezel
- 4wd button bezel (was a blank on 60’s but there, and used on 62’s)
- AC bezel blank for 62’s, plastic side cover for 60/62 seats,
- Front scuff panels on the interior side of the front door 60/62, vertical where your fit would kick the side wall
- Rear seat retractable covers below the cargo window trim,
- True 60 series cargo window trim (right now the trim is technically for the 62 series)
- Good front window visors and clips (60/62 series)
- Front Seatbelt bolt covers where they attach to the B-Pillar (60/62 series)
- Some stuff for the 40 series folks
- Some stuff for the 70 and 80 series folks
I don’t have a completion date yet as the sample dash was shipped to me three weeks ago with a transit time of one week, held up in customs for one week, then China took a five day holiday. Last night was my first change to discuss the project with my team. My team is amazing. It’s a second generation relationship and they have helped me execute every other concept on the site.
For those of you who bought in at $599, the current price is $799, plus freight (most of you at $599 didn’t pay freight). The pad when available will increase to $899 due to tariff's, rising fuel costs (Materials and Ocean Freight), and shipping fees (UPS due to fuel).
Please stick with me. I will get this done and I will communicate when I have a reliable ETA or in three weeks, which ever is sooner.
With gratitude,
Seth
4runner2FJ60
SILVER Star
The dash is not keeping me from driving my 60! I appreciate all the R&D on this with attention to details. It's gonna be an awesome product! I'm in it for the long haul as well.
- Thread starter
- #160
same here. mine is all cracked up but its just an eyesore to be honest