[itr1275]

I'm reading the forum and there is a ton of good ideas and even designs. The problem is I need to trudge through a mammoth post to find a half baked parts list, schematic, or drawing.

So I had the idea of why not use an open source design concept?

Something like Github can host files, schematics, cad, BOMs, just about any file type. It's open to the world to reuse and documented... as good as the poster has done. Others can check it out modify it, branch it and it has revision control so you can always go back in time.

The specific thing that I've been working on is cross bar brackets. It started with a video from SuperfastMatt

Then I found a few more posts from Terrapod and then Eitek1 took it to a new level and had brackets created.

Kangs followed on with a welded steel basket type.

Then there things like DaytonViolets Build. Image how much work is into that.

I started playing with some CAD models for something like Terrapod's. Once I get mine working I can post on Github or similar for others to do their own or modify what I have.

Is anybody up for working on a Github project thread?

[Eitek1]

I think the barrier for entry is the cost to have a set of anything built just for you. At the end of the day it has to be worth it for a shop to produce your stuff. At that point it’s almost cheaper to buy something else. Or, you have to order 10 of something to get the cost per part down. Then you have to sell what you don’t use to get your money back on those parts.

With my brackets, it became a challenge I was going to “win” no matter what. I put a massive amount of time into the design. When I finally got done testing and trying it would have been cheaper to buy something else. I think I had to order 40 or 50 brackets to make it worth doing for the shop on top of that.

I’m going to produce my stuff and the sales cost will be cheaper than you could have it produced on your own. I’m doing it as more of a service because I wish I would have had the option of just making a purchase.

There is another thread I offered to make the brackets on. Someone is giving the design out but you have to order 10 to get them made. This will leave most folks with 8 brackets. Nobody wants that. If folks need them, I’m willing to do the leg work and get them made at this point. I will also have to make a decent run to make it worth it but I’m willing to do it.

If you can roll your own stuff, you’re golden but most can’t or don’t have the time to do so.

[08TxRunner]

I nominate the OP.

[itr1275]

Originally Posted by 08TxRunner

I nominate the OP.

Hey I'm good with OP, but's contribute as you have stuff to add. I think the the work is setting up the logistic parts, tags, projects and such. Each person would post their own work.

[itr1275]

Originally Posted by Eitek1

I think the barrier for entry is the cost to have a set of anything built just for you. At the end of the day it has to be worth it for a shop to produce your stuff. At that point it’s almost cheaper to buy something else. Or, you have to order 10 of something to get the cost per part down. Then you have to sell what you don’t use to get your money back on those parts.

With my brackets, it became a challenge I was going to “win” no matter what. I put a massive amount of time into the design. When I finally got done testing and trying it would have been cheaper to buy something else. I think I had to order 40 or 50 brackets to make it worth doing for the shop on top of that.

I’m going to produce my stuff and the sales cost will be cheaper than you could have it produced on your own. I’m doing it as more of a service because I wish I would have had the option of just making a purchase.

There is another thread I offered to make the brackets on. Someone is giving the design out but you have to order 10 to get them made. This will leave most folks with 8 brackets. Nobody wants that. If folks need them, I’m willing to do the leg work and get them made at this point. I will also have to make a decent run to make it worth it but I’m willing to do it.

If you can roll your own stuff, you’re golden but most can’t or don’t have the time to do so.

I agree you have a ton of work into it, and the bends and laser cutting isn't something that is done into a garage, and it's not cheap. I'm not suggesting that your project, or others that have a bunch of money into it, become a community projects.

However, there is plenty stuff that can be made at home by just about anyone with some basic tools. If there are open source projects that need machine work, then it's easier to disperse the work and the cost earlier. So maybe someone does the CAD the next guys does the machine work and maybe some others absorb more of the material cost.

[Eitek1]

Originally Posted by itr1275

I agree you have a ton of work into it, and the bends and laser cutting isn't something that is done into a garage, and it's not cheap. I'm not suggesting that your project, or others that have a bunch of money into it, become a community projects.

However, there is plenty stuff that can be made at home by just about anyone with some basic tools. If there are open source projects that need machine work, then it's easier to disperse the work and the cost earlier. So maybe someone does the CAD the next guys does the machine work and maybe some others absorb more of the material cost.

I totally get what you are saying. For my project I had a ton of time in development and other stuff along with the cost and so on.

I agree though, “we” are smarter than “me” for sure. Stuff could be done efficiently here collectively I think.

[97BlackAckCL]

Tons of mods and info here

Trail 4Runner - 5th Gen 4Runner Blog & Forum - Trail4R.com

[itr1275]

Originally Posted by 97BlackAckCL

Tons of mods and info here

Trail 4Runner - 5th Gen 4Runner Blog & Forum - Trail4R.com

Yes, there are. An there are a ton of threads here, and other forums too.

My idea is to use a central source for all T4R owners, or other vehicles to get design files and reference material for the mod.

For instance maybe I want to vinyl wrap my roof rails. It's been done a thousand time. However, it's a very manual process. I search the forum to see what vinyl people are using, what equipment, and directions. It might be in one thread across several posts. It can get messy at some point.

If this was a project in something like Github, you download a package of files with a Bill of Materials (BOM), install instructions with equipment list, and any technical information - schematics, drawings, etc....

It's all in one place, indexed and tagged.

Then I come a long and I use, that but modify the template. The files are revised with access to all previous revisions as well.