I love how it angles back like that. If it had a hole for heater controls and a vent I'd get one right now. Of course even if it didnt, and I could easily make those openings I would still purchase it.
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Viable product?
- Thread starter ryoken
- Start date
readymix said:
Hmmm, never even thought about it.. For mainly selfish reasons, in that, I have no need with all the room I have in the dash...
Damn good idea tho, I'll check into it...
454k30 said:
Actually that open hole to the lower right was for my heater controls, screws right into the back... wasn't running a radio there.. But as I said, any configuration is relatively easy...
It looks like I'm going to go forward with this... Planning on ordering my mold materials in the next few days.. At this point, I don't expect to start selling them for a few months... But I'm figuring I should have production going good by the beginning of summer, start shipping in the beginning of June or so...
Thanks to all for the imput!
Any imput on colors? I'm figuring the majority of people will be interested in some form of black... semi mostly....
Anyone think they would like to go another way, silver perhaps?
Last edited:
readymix
3/4 ton status
I think that black would be about the only color that would realy sell in any quantity. It could alway be painted though.
Jrgunn5150
1/2 ton status
Yeah it's kind of a hassle for you to make other colors isnt it? Just tell them to paint it avacodo green if that's the fruity color they want.
Confedneck79K30
3/4 ton status
flat black... would look trick with silver rimmed gauges, and stainless hardware
While I like the idea I don't like price. Also, the point about the gauges pointing at your face and not at your belly seems like a good selling point for you. I don't belive the masses are going care as much, IMO. It seems to me that fabricators want to get the money back for thier molds and such right away and price thier stuff too high in the begining and exclude all of the low budget crowd. This can make or break a product quickly instaed of giving time for the market to build. You also should factor all of the copycats that are looking at this, I'm figuring out a way to make somthing similar as I type. One last thing, not to discourage you, look at the softtop market for our trucks. Everyone wants one but no one has the 600-1200 $ for it.
Last edited:
I will give you some advice. My father when he had his construction company found out that he could get more production (footage per day) if he did not worry about using to much stone fill and used extra. If he stopped and measured it to see if he had the minimum of six inches it took more time than if he just put more in than needed he got better run for the money because the time of having a crane/operator, Wheel loader/operator and four men waiting to get measurements he lost time.
You have already figured the factors basic black vs colored. If they need color it is extra because you have to make it in a single run. The holes for gauges you could run a basic and probably have hole saws to cut if they wanted different. So figure if you made it complete blank vs basic gauges like OEM what it cost you to do them (holes).
As stated the make your money right off to recoup kills some buyers. On the tops if they were $300 to $500 I would jump faster. Make the money in voulme.
You have already figured the factors basic black vs colored. If they need color it is extra because you have to make it in a single run. The holes for gauges you could run a basic and probably have hole saws to cut if they wanted different. So figure if you made it complete blank vs basic gauges like OEM what it cost you to do them (holes).
As stated the make your money right off to recoup kills some buyers. On the tops if they were $300 to $500 I would jump faster. Make the money in voulme.
Last edited:
grimjaw
1/2 ton status
I would need the stock AC, radio, headlights, etc ....but yeah, I will buy one. I have been considering trying to learn to make one myself. This seems like a smarter alocation of my resources (time vs money).
About shift indicators, I think 80s chevy vans have the indicator on the column not in the bezel.
About shift indicators, I think 80s chevy vans have the indicator on the column not in the bezel.
neat idea the thing I would like to see is a cut out for a "din" sized stereo I hate trying to cut a good factory bezel to fit my radio and A/C vents are a Must do those two things and I'd but at least 2 or 3
Leper
1/2 ton status
Do I love it?.........You bet!
Will I spend 200.00+ for my offroad truck dash bezel?......No freakin way.
Sell it to the show crowd and make some big money.
Sell us the scratch and dent stuff.
Sell me one with a egg shaped hole for 50.00, I'd buy that. And sell an indicator package for turn signals, high beam and stuff like that. IMO a completely blank panel would be the easiest to make and the best way to sell to the offroad community.
Will I spend 200.00+ for my offroad truck dash bezel?......No freakin way.
Sell it to the show crowd and make some big money.
Sell us the scratch and dent stuff.
Sell me one with a egg shaped hole for 50.00, I'd buy that. And sell an indicator package for turn signals, high beam and stuff like that. IMO a completely blank panel would be the easiest to make and the best way to sell to the offroad community.
Uncle Fester
1/2 ton status
I love it! I told you that before thou...I will definatly want one, B L A N K for me please.
I will cut my own holes once I figure out what guages I want to run, and I don't have a heater or AC, plus I plan on useing toggle switches for the head lights, wipers, ect. so I don't need those holes either....
I will cut my own holes once I figure out what guages I want to run, and I don't have a heater or AC, plus I plan on useing toggle switches for the head lights, wipers, ect. so I don't need those holes either....
Ok, my modems back up, so I can address the points brought up...
The price... As I stated earlier, I'm going to offer them for the best price I can once a production time can be established... I'm not looking to quit my job and do this as a full-time business, ain't gonna happen... I just want to make enough money to make it worth my while and turn some folks onto to something to make their truck better...
We have a saying down at work, "I'd rather tell ya it's gonna be $1000, then charge you $800, as opposed to vice versa"... Might they be less then $250, 275? Sure, its possible, but that was my best guestimate as to what they where going to run...
I'm not some big company that sets up injection molding and is gonna crank these out for pennys worth of plastic.. Each dash will be hand-layed and vacuum-bagged... That stuff takes time... Each dash will have to be prepped and primed after too.. Not to mention any cutouts someone may want...
What do you expect me to do, sell em at $150 and work for $10 an hr? Thanks, appreciate that..
Honestly, I felt anything under $300 was more than fair.. Covan's is selling a factory plastic bezel with enlarged holes for $250... This is a handmade piece that can give anyone their ultimate gauge/dash config..
If the "offroad" community is too cheap to put a nice product in their rig, well, then continue on mounting cheap SunPro's to your column, etc... I prefer nice components in whatever ride I build...
One other thing here, some seem to think this is some mod that most here can do.. All I can say is, have at it! It was 11 seperate pieces and alot of time... But thanks for the dismissal of my effort.... Fiberglass or metal, it's no simple project...
To all those who showed interest and like the dash, thanks for the kind words and support and hopefully I can get this going and give some people a dream dash this summer...
The price... As I stated earlier, I'm going to offer them for the best price I can once a production time can be established... I'm not looking to quit my job and do this as a full-time business, ain't gonna happen... I just want to make enough money to make it worth my while and turn some folks onto to something to make their truck better...
We have a saying down at work, "I'd rather tell ya it's gonna be $1000, then charge you $800, as opposed to vice versa"... Might they be less then $250, 275? Sure, its possible, but that was my best guestimate as to what they where going to run...
I'm not some big company that sets up injection molding and is gonna crank these out for pennys worth of plastic.. Each dash will be hand-layed and vacuum-bagged... That stuff takes time... Each dash will have to be prepped and primed after too.. Not to mention any cutouts someone may want...
What do you expect me to do, sell em at $150 and work for $10 an hr? Thanks, appreciate that..
Honestly, I felt anything under $300 was more than fair.. Covan's is selling a factory plastic bezel with enlarged holes for $250... This is a handmade piece that can give anyone their ultimate gauge/dash config..
If the "offroad" community is too cheap to put a nice product in their rig, well, then continue on mounting cheap SunPro's to your column, etc... I prefer nice components in whatever ride I build...
One other thing here, some seem to think this is some mod that most here can do.. All I can say is, have at it! It was 11 seperate pieces and alot of time... But thanks for the dismissal of my effort.... Fiberglass or metal, it's no simple project...
To all those who showed interest and like the dash, thanks for the kind words and support and hopefully I can get this going and give some people a dream dash this summer...
ryoken said:
Hence why I voted the way I did. GM didn't bring back the Camaro because they weren't selling any. Screaming that you want a product but not being interested in it because of cost is ridiculous.
I hope you can find some people that understand what time is worth and your effort, but from what I've seen (even with just the 4x4 businesses that go under) the cost to make something worthwhile (edit: make something that is QUALITY) is more than most people are apparently willing to pay, even though they SAY they are interested, or would buy it.
What are other items that cost $300 or more on rigs? Plenty that I know of...
I haven't gotten too many other mods done, but the dash is hands-down my fave.. Looking at the damn thing all the time, might as well have all the info I could want at a glance... Certainly more valuable to me than a cowlhood, stereo, etc, etc, etc....
Either way, apparently some think it's an excessive amount of cash, when I thought my outlook was fair... This isn't the kinda thing I expect to sell thousands, it IS a limited audience... I don't think flooding the market with 150 at me losing money is going to lead to some larger audience down the road.... Quite the contrary I'd expect it to drop off...
I haven't gotten too many other mods done, but the dash is hands-down my fave.. Looking at the damn thing all the time, might as well have all the info I could want at a glance... Certainly more valuable to me than a cowlhood, stereo, etc, etc, etc....
Either way, apparently some think it's an excessive amount of cash, when I thought my outlook was fair... This isn't the kinda thing I expect to sell thousands, it IS a limited audience... I don't think flooding the market with 150 at me losing money is going to lead to some larger audience down the road.... Quite the contrary I'd expect it to drop off...
Last edited:
readymix
3/4 ton status
I would consider $250-300 very fair. You could never have one done for that.
I would not take it personally, you ASKED for opinions. I gave you my opinion as a bussinss man, I own a restaurant and a cleaning co. so I have an idea about marketing. Price them anyhow you want. You may sell some, I hope you do. Don't let me or anybody else here discourge you from doing what you feel is correct.
Oh, no worries, I wont... I think the poll #'s speak for themselves...
And good luck on your rendition....
And good luck on your rendition....
You'll never know for sure until you try Ryoken. Even then it may not look promising at first. Build 2 or 3 and try to sell them. Try ebay, try different boards like full size chevy, norcalbigdawgs, et. See if you can find a niche market.
Any type of labor intensive, expensive custom part will never sell "large quantities" to a market that's looking for a balance of moderate quality part for a bargain price.
If these were custom Ferrari F-40 dashes you'd probably sell a larger volume because the market and the money are there to support it. That's my 2 cents.
Be proud of your work, you are very talented.
Any type of labor intensive, expensive custom part will never sell "large quantities" to a market that's looking for a balance of moderate quality part for a bargain price.
If these were custom Ferrari F-40 dashes you'd probably sell a larger volume because the market and the money are there to support it. That's my 2 cents.
Be proud of your work, you are very talented.
If you decide to go ahead with this project I would definately get one. I already have a pyramid of autometer gauge boxes in the basement and I've been trying to figure out how to mount them. I'd like to get them done as soon as possible but I would wait until this summer if you were to sell these. While you're at it, you should make me one of those sweet consoles so I have a better place to mount my art carr.
just kidding. good luck getting this project up and running.
just kidding. good luck getting this project up and running.
