C4 Fab 4Runner Ladder Prototype

[aroslv]

We just ran out of stock of the ladders but we are having more parts shipped out the end of the week and than off to the powder coaters. So as soon as we get them back we will have them packaged and shipped asap!

I just ordered one as well. How many weeks does that ETA translate into?

LOVE my C4 Low Pro bumper!! Very excited to get the ladder as well.

 

[C4 Fabrication]

I just ordered one as well. How many weeks does that ETA translate into?

LOVE my C4 Low Pro bumper!! Very excited to get the ladder as well.

We have the lead time at 6 weeks right now. Hopefully we can get them out sooner, but that is where we are sitting right now.

 

[Zacksmith75]

Ladder

Looks great hope to purchase one for mine

 

[asaintprix]

I've had my C4 ladder since the first production run last fall and have been super happy with it. I use it far more than I thought I would, to get access to the roof and pack cargo and gear onto the rack I have.

I'm 6'3 245 lbs and it is solid as a rock, I have not had any issues. I wasn't crazy about the erector set look at first, but I like it a lot better than the other ladders out there and it's grown on me because it's so functional. I also like that the holes allow me to mount other things on it.

I did upgrade the gas struts as C4 Fab recommends on their website. I thought it made sense given the add'l weight and it's made a difference to supporting the liftgate.

I would definitely order one again. :thumb3:

 

[Dezmo]

Really like the C4 ladder. It’s on my wish list as well as the slimline front bumper and dual battery kit.

 

[C4 Fabrication]

I've had my C4 ladder since the first production run last fall and have been super happy with it. I use it far more than I thought I would, to get access to the roof and pack cargo and gear onto the rack I have.

I'm 6'3 245 lbs and it is solid as a rock, I have not had any issues. I wasn't crazy about the erector set look at first, but I like it a lot better than the other ladders out there and it's grown on me because it's so functional. I also like that the holes allow me to mount other things on it.

I did upgrade the gas struts as C4 Fab recommends on their website. I thought it made sense given the add'l weight and it's made a difference to supporting the liftgate.

I would definitely order one again. :thumb3:

Thanks for the great review of the product! Glad you have enjoyed it!

 

[Jebsmith2112]

Ordered one as well to go with my Prinsu full rack!

 

[aelarson]

Got mine ordered up last night, can't wait to get it on my truck :tongue:

 

[SnowYeti]

Saw one for the first time in person this past weekend in Fort Collins on a cement Pro (you know who you are, I don’t, but you do) Wow, what a great design! So much better than welded tubes. Clearly a very thoughtful design that is a great blend of function and design.

WHEN I order one, and I am, I will be sending the hardware pack straight to PCbolts.com to get it all powder coated black. Minus the logo.

Also fingers crossed it will work with the Rhino Pioneer Backbone Rack.

Also interesting how the design language matches that of the 4R.

 

[BTSullivan91]

Ordered mine early this month, can’t wait. Already got my HD struts in. Says May 19 but hoping for an early surprise miracle.. Has anyone figured out maxtrax mounting to these? I want to put them back there vs the roof to avoid more wind noise/drag.

 

[Terrapod]

Plan on waiting, folks. Was just notified that my "will-ship date" of 04/30 was just extended into next week. FWIW - I ordered mine on 03/19/19
6+ weeks for a component containing CNC cut parts and off-the-shelf cut aluminum extrusion? :crazy:

Don't get me started. :ybrick:

 

[C4 Fabrication]

Plan on waiting, folks. Was just notified that my "will-ship date" of 04/30 was just extended into next week. FWIW - I ordered mine on 03/19/19
6+ weeks for a component containing CNC cut parts and off-the-shelf cut aluminum extrusion? :crazy:

Don't get me started. :ybrick:

We are very sorry for the delay. We had issues with a bunch of parts getting made incorrectly from the laser company. They had to cut and form an entire new batch of parts and send them out to us. Since that happened it knocked us off the schedule with the powder coat company. We couldn't drop of the parts at PC right away because they were already busy with other jobs and had to get those done first before getting our ladder parts in again. One mistake at the beginning of the chain sets things back a lot.
The parts are currently getting coated today and tomorrow and we will be shipping LOTS of ladders next week.
We are still learning how to get ahead of the curve on keeping these ladders in stock. Its the only product that we have ever tried to offer in stock and powder coated. They are also selling way faster than expected so we have been running out of them quickly.
We have already placed another large order for more of them from the laser company to stay ahead of the orders that we expect to continue coming in.

 

[SnowYeti]

Plan on waiting, folks. Was just notified that my "will-ship date" of 04/30 was just extended into next week. FWIW - I ordered mine on 03/19/19
6+ weeks for a component containing CNC cut parts and off-the-shelf cut aluminum extrusion? :crazy:

Don't get me started. :ybrick:

There is a lot more to developing and producing a product than you realize. This is what I do for a living, heading up design for a 4 billion dollar company and things still get hung up on suppliers and manufactures. Let alone dealing with MOQ issues, assembly, warehousing for a companies budgeting. I think their reputation speaks for itself. Plus the ladder is not a private label product as you suggest.

I requested that the hardware (nuts, bolts, washers) be sent out early so I could have them powder coated black at PCbolts before the ladder was shipped. Zero push back, nothing but friendly customer service, and I had them within 3 days. Wow. Not something a company that doesn’t care would do.

 

[Terrapod]

There is a lot more to developing and producing a product than you realize. This is what I do for a living, heading up design for a 4 billion dollar company and things still get hung up on suppliers and manufactures. Let alone dealing with MOQ issues, assembly, warehousing for a companies budgeting. I think their reputation speaks for itself. Plus the ladder is not a private label product as you suggest.

I requested that the hardware (nuts, bolts, washers) be sent out early so I could have them powder coated black at PCbolts before the ladder was shipped. Zero push back, nothing but friendly customer service, and I had them within 3 days. Wow. Not something a company that doesn’t care would do.

20+ years as an industrial designer, fabricator, inventor and developer of products. I know all of this very, very well.

If you want to open that can of worms...by all means.

Creating a product means not only developing/engineering the product for use, but also efficient manufacturing, and enabling redundancies for suppliers, vendors and materials. One fails, the second picks up the slack and so on.

Happy to discuss the efficiencies of supply chain vs in-house solutions.

opcorn:

That all said - I applaud these smaller businesses on giving it a go. It is by no-means easy. (i.e. working for "the man" vs doing it yourself - two VERY different things.) However, most are not aware of what is truly needed to release a product to market and the ramifications associated with doing so. Be it...production efficiency, materials, marketing budgets, and managing customer expectations...etc.

The power of the interwebs can be intoxicating. The monies associated are even more-so.

 

[SnowYeti]

20+ years as an industrial designer, fabricator, inventor and developer of products. I know all of this very, very well.

If you want to open that can of worms...by all means.

Creating a product means not only developing/engineering the product for use, but also efficient manufacturing, and enabling redundancies for suppliers, vendors and materials. One fails, the second picks up the slack and so on.

Happy to discuss the efficiencies of supply chain vs in-house solutions.

opcorn:

That all said - I applaud these smaller businesses on giving it a go. It is by no-means easy. (i.e. working for "the man" vs doing it yourself - two VERY different things.) However, most are not aware of what is truly needed to release a product to market and the ramifications associated with doing so. Be it...production efficiency, materials, marketing budgets, and managing customer expectations...etc.

The power of the interwebs can be intoxicating. The monies associated are even more-so.

Well I don’t want to “open a can of worms” with my 30+ years experience as an industrial designer and ME or my 50+ patents. It seems you know that it is not easy. Yet.....

 

[Terrapod]

Well I don’t want to “open a can of worms” with my 30+ years experience as an industrial designer and ME or my 50+ patents. It seems you know that it is not easy. Yet.....

See PM. :cheers:

 

[aelarson]

We are very sorry for the delay. We had issues with a bunch of parts getting made incorrectly from the laser company. They had to cut and form an entire new batch of parts and send them out to us. Since that happened it knocked us off the schedule with the powder coat company. We couldn't drop of the parts at PC right away because they were already busy with other jobs and had to get those done first before getting our ladder parts in again. One mistake at the beginning of the chain sets things back a lot.
The parts are currently getting coated today and tomorrow and we will be shipping LOTS of ladders next week.
We are still learning how to get ahead of the curve on keeping these ladders in stock. Its the only product that we have ever tried to offer in stock and powder coated. They are also selling way faster than expected so we have been running out of them quickly.
We have already placed another large order for more of them from the laser company to stay ahead of the orders that we expect to continue coming in.

Hello C4, I ordered a ladder on 4/2/19, I never received an email about being pushed back to the end of May. I would assume I'm in the same boat as well? Thank you for the great customer service, looking forward to my ladder!

 

[C4 Fabrication]

Hello C4, I ordered a ladder on 4/2/19, I never received an email about being pushed back to the end of May. I would assume I'm in the same boat as well? Thank you for the great customer service, looking forward to my ladder!

Hi, what is your order number? We can take a look and give you an update. We are starting to get parts back from the powder coat shop in batches of 10 complete ladders. Of course we get the first set back and almost half of them were not fully coated and some of the parts were scratched!:yell: We had to send them back to get redone right away. So yet another hold up that is really frustrating us.

 

[aelarson]

Hi, what is your order number? We can take a look and give you an update. We are starting to get parts back from the powder coat shop in batches of 10 complete ladders. Of course we get the first set back and almost half of them were not fully coated and some of the parts were scratched!:yell: We had to send them back to get redone right away. So yet another hold up that is really frustrating us.

Just received shipping confirmation today. Should have it next week! :rockon::banana::whoo::dancin:

 

[Terrapod]

Just received shipping confirmation today. Should have it next week! :rockon::banana::whoo::dancin:

Me too!! :whoo::dancin: