C4 Fab 4Runner Ladder Prototype

[aelarson]

Got my ladder last night and tried to install. It's a tricky little sucker to get right. Unfortunately I nicked up my paint in a couple spots trying to get the alignment correct. I couldn't get the top plate to sit flat (the edge that wraps around the back side of the hatch is lifting) so I called off the install at 10:00pm. I tried installing with the ladder components tight, I tried with everything loose, I felt like I tried everything (obviously I didn't because I couldn't get it right) Going to give it another whirl on Thursday. Anyone have tips to get this right?

 

[mrblah]

Got my ladder last night and tried to install. It's a tricky little sucker to get right. Unfortunately I nicked up my paint in a couple spots trying to get the alignment correct. I couldn't get the top plate to sit flat (the edge that wraps around the back side of the hatch is lifting) so I called off the install at 10:00pm. I tried installing with the ladder components tight, I tried with everything loose, I felt like I tried everything (obviously I didn't because I couldn't get it right) Going to give it another whirl on Thursday. Anyone have tips to get this right?

you need to make a cardboard spacer and use it during installation like the video states. Makes installing much easier.

 

[aelarson]

Followed the instructions. Used the cardboard to make a spacer to keep the panel tight to the body. Still lifting where the tabs wrap around the back of the spoiler.

 

[C4 Fabrication]

Hey everyone, we are very sorry for the fitment issues a few of you are having and we will get it resolved. There are new top mounting plates that have been formed with a new bend angle to resolve the issue. The plates should be shipping to us next week then we have to send them to powder coat. We will gladly replace the top mounting plates that have been giving issues.

Its a strange situation because the first batch of 75 ladders we made and shipped fit excellent. We made another batch of 75 that were exactly the same with zero changes. We verified that the bend angles were correct on the second batch and sent them out. Some people from that batch were having issues getting the rear portion of the top mounting plate to stay flat against the sticky foam. We weren't sure if this was user install error or what so we test fit one of those plates on our company 4runner and it gave us the same issue. To resolve that issue we increased the bend angle a bit on the top plate to help it sit down flat on the hatch. Now its causing the other end of the plate to lift up which is what a few of you are experiencing now.
We have only sent out about 20 of these with the increased bend angle. The new batch will have less bend than they do now, but slightly more than the second batch so we should be hitting that sweet spot where they fit great.
The thing that we just don't understand is how the first batch of 75 fit perfectly and the second batch didn't all fit perfectly even though the parts were verified to be exactly the same.
There have been some customers over the past few months who have trouble getting the top plate to sit correctly, but once we talk to them on the phone and explain to them a few things to try with adjustment, they always get it worked out.
Anyways point is that the new top plate should resolve any issues and we will send them out to you guys as soon as they are powder coated.
Again we are sorry for the fitment issue, but it will get resolved.

 

[andrew4r]

Thanks for tackling the issue head-on instead of trying to sweep it under the rug. That's certainly appreciated by customers, especially for niche markets.

I'm interested in the C4 ladder, and I'm still interested after the recent issues because it sounds like C4 is appropriately handling the situation. I can't spend that kind of money until I know the issue is resolved, but I plan on ordering once it is.

I have a trip planned in September, for which I will require a ladder. Hopefully, the lead times stay in my favor.

Hey everyone, we are very sorry for the fitment issues a few of you are having and we will get it resolved. There are new top mounting plates that have been formed with a new bend angle to resolve the issue. The plates should be shipping to us next week then we have to send them to powder coat. We will gladly replace the top mounting plates that have been giving issues.

Its a strange situation because the first batch of 75 ladders we made and shipped fit excellent. We made another batch of 75 that were exactly the same with zero changes. We verified that the bend angles were correct on the second batch and sent them out. Some people from that batch were having issues getting the rear portion of the top mounting plate to stay flat against the sticky foam. We weren't sure if this was user install error or what so we test fit one of those plates on our company 4runner and it gave us the same issue. To resolve that issue we increased the bend angle a bit on the top plate to help it sit down flat on the hatch. Now its causing the other end of the plate to lift up which is what a few of you are experiencing now.
We have only sent out about 20 of these with the increased bend angle. The new batch will have less bend than they do now, but slightly more than the second batch so we should be hitting that sweet spot where they fit great.
The thing that we just don't understand is how the first batch of 75 fit perfectly and the second batch didn't all fit perfectly even though the parts were verified to be exactly the same.
There have been some customers over the past few months who have trouble getting the top plate to sit correctly, but once we talk to them on the phone and explain to them a few things to try with adjustment, they always get it worked out.
Anyways point is that the new top plate should resolve any issues and we will send them out to you guys as soon as they are powder coated.
Again we are sorry for the fitment issue, but it will get resolved.

 

[slprciv]

Hey everyone, we are very sorry for the fitment issues a few of you are having and we will get it resolved. There are new top mounting plates that have been formed with a new bend angle to resolve the issue. The plates should be shipping to us next week then we have to send them to powder coat. We will gladly replace the top mounting plates that have been giving issues.

Its a strange situation because the first batch of 75 ladders we made and shipped fit excellent. We made another batch of 75 that were exactly the same with zero changes. We verified that the bend angles were correct on the second batch and sent them out. Some people from that batch were having issues getting the rear portion of the top mounting plate to stay flat against the sticky foam. We weren't sure if this was user install error or what so we test fit one of those plates on our company 4runner and it gave us the same issue. To resolve that issue we increased the bend angle a bit on the top plate to help it sit down flat on the hatch. Now its causing the other end of the plate to lift up which is what a few of you are experiencing now.
We have only sent out about 20 of these with the increased bend angle. The new batch will have less bend than they do now, but slightly more than the second batch so we should be hitting that sweet spot where they fit great.
The thing that we just don't understand is how the first batch of 75 fit perfectly and the second batch didn't all fit perfectly even though the parts were verified to be exactly the same.
There have been some customers over the past few months who have trouble getting the top plate to sit correctly, but once we talk to them on the phone and explain to them a few things to try with adjustment, they always get it worked out.
Anyways point is that the new top plate should resolve any issues and we will send them out to you guys as soon as they are powder coated.
Again we are sorry for the fitment issue, but it will get resolved.

How do we get the new top plate? My top plate lifts from the rear no matter the amount of adjustments I did to the ladder on top and at the bottom plate.

 

[Terrapod]

Hey everyone, we are very sorry for the fitment issues a few of you are having and we will get it resolved. There are new top mounting plates that have been formed with a new bend angle to resolve the issue. The plates should be shipping to us next week then we have to send them to powder coat. We will gladly replace the top mounting plates that have been giving issues.

Its a strange situation because the first batch of 75 ladders we made and shipped fit excellent. We made another batch of 75 that were exactly the same with zero changes. We verified that the bend angles were correct on the second batch and sent them out. Some people from that batch were having issues getting the rear portion of the top mounting plate to stay flat against the sticky foam. We weren't sure if this was user install error or what so we test fit one of those plates on our company 4runner and it gave us the same issue. To resolve that issue we increased the bend angle a bit on the top plate to help it sit down flat on the hatch. Now its causing the other end of the plate to lift up which is what a few of you are experiencing now.
We have only sent out about 20 of these with the increased bend angle. The new batch will have less bend than they do now, but slightly more than the second batch so we should be hitting that sweet spot where they fit great.
The thing that we just don't understand is how the first batch of 75 fit perfectly and the second batch didn't all fit perfectly even though the parts were verified to be exactly the same.
There have been some customers over the past few months who have trouble getting the top plate to sit correctly, but once we talk to them on the phone and explain to them a few things to try with adjustment, they always get it worked out.
Anyways point is that the new top plate should resolve any issues and we will send them out to you guys as soon as they are powder coated.
Again we are sorry for the fitment issue, but it will get resolved.

All good. Thanks for getting this sorted. :clap2::clap2::cheers:

 

[YellowSnow]

What a pain in the ass...I’m just going with Baja

 

[C4 Fabrication]

All good. Thanks for getting this sorted. :clap2::clap2::cheers:

Thanks for being understanding! We should have replacement brackets powder coated by the end of next week and we will send them out right away.

How do we get the new top plate? My top plate lifts from the rear no matter the amount of adjustments I did to the ladder on top and at the bottom plate.

We are sorry for the issue and the new top plate will resolve it. What is your full name? I will get you on the list for a replacement.

What a pain in the ass...I’m just going with Baja

Mistakes happen in the manufacturing process and we are doing our best to resolve them. There was a small amount of these ladders that went out like this and we will replace the top mounting plate on everyone's that has an issue.

 

[Terrapod]

Just received a very pleasant, unexpected call from Caleb @ C4 apologizing for the error and filled me in on the status.

Thanks for the call. Appreciate it. (THAT...is how you do it folks. :thumb: )

 

[andrew4r]

Would like to see ladders installed with the new top plates once folks get them, please!

 

[slprciv]

We are sorry for the issue and the new top plate will resolve it. What is your full name? I will get you on the list for a replacement.

Thank you, Just PM'd you.

 

[Jono503]

Would like to see ladders installed with the new top plates once folks get them, please!

I’m in the market for a ladder but would like to see the install with the new plates also.

 

[YellowSnow]

I’m in the market for a ladder but would like to see the install with the new plates also.

Maybe version 3 will work....not only is the C4 the most expensive between baja, Gobi.... it has the most problems associated with it.

 

[C4 Fabrication]

Maybe version 3 will work....not only is the C4 the most expensive between baja, Gobi.... it has the most problems associated with it.

Problems that only a few people encountered and are already being solved.
Its more expensive because aluminum costs more than steel and ours is built with versatility in mind where as the others are just a ladder.

I think we've all heard enough of your comments by now, everyone understands that you apparently have some sort of vendetta against C4. We can't please everyone and we are fine with that. If you don't like our company or product then support someone else, doesn't bother us one bit.

 

[momo.75]

Problems that only a few people encountered and are already being solved.
Its more expensive because aluminum costs more than steel and ours is built with versatility in mind where as the others are just a ladder.

I think we've all heard enough of your comments by now, everyone understands that you apparently have some sort of vendetta against C4. We can't please everyone and we are fine with that. If you don't like our company or product then support someone else, doesn't bother us one bit.

Sorry for the harassment from this member. It looks like you are taking care of the problem so just do what you do! Thanks for being a part of T4R.ORG.

 

[choochoo]

Woo

Problems that only a few people encountered and are already being solved.
Its more expensive because aluminum costs more than steel and ours is built with versatility in mind where as the others are just a ladder.

I think we've all heard enough of your comments by now, everyone understands that you apparently have some sort of vendetta against C4. We can't please everyone and we are fine with that. If you don't like our company or product then support someone else, doesn't bother us one bit.

Sorry for the harassment from this member. It looks like you are taking care of the problem so just do what you do! Thanks for being a part of T4R.ORG.

I would like to echo that. Bought C4's ladder last February and that ladder fit perfectly - don't know what generation it was - sounds like 1st based on timeline. Been using it regularly on trips and haven't had any issues with it... I have noticed the ladder "very slightly" slips downward a bit when I first step on it, but I'm on the heavier side. That has been my only concern so far.

Prior-to and during purchase, C4 was very professional and responsive in handling my initial questions and status update request. This situation is a good example of strong customer support. (1) Acknowledged they messed up... they tried to fix a problem that inadvertently created a different problem. (2) After becoming aware of new issues, they reached out to those who received bad top plates. (3) In the process of making amends to the customer are sending new top plates, or any other form of additional compensation not mentioned in these forums. That process is what I would expect from other companies as well - at least the good ones. Anyone can look at this other post from Caleb and see the length at which his company will go to make amends to an unsatisfied customer that received a bad product.

Long story short - would buy from C4 again. Still saving for bunch of other upgrades haha...

 

[C4 Fabrication]

Sorry for the harassment from this member. It looks like you are taking care of the problem so just do what you do! Thanks for being a part of T4R.ORG.

Eh its ok! We don't let that stuff bother us much.

I would like to echo that. Bought C4's ladder last February and that ladder fit perfectly - don't know what generation it was - sounds like 1st based on timeline. Been using it regularly on trips and haven't had any issues with it... I have noticed the ladder "very slightly" slips downward a bit when I first step on it, but I'm on the heavier side. That has been my only concern so far.

Prior-to and during purchase, C4 was very professional and responsive in handling my initial questions and status update request. This situation is a good example of strong customer support. (1) Acknowledged they messed up... they tried to fix a problem that inadvertently created a different problem. (2) After becoming aware of new issues, they reached out to those who received bad top plates. (3) In the process of making amends to the customer are sending new top plates, or any other form of additional compensation not mentioned in these forums. That process is what I would expect from other companies as well - at least the good ones. Anyone can look at this other post from Caleb and see the length at which his company will go to make amends to an unsatisfied customer that received a bad product.

Long story short - would buy from C4 again. Still saving for bunch of other upgrades haha...

Thanks for the support, we really appreciate it!

 

[C4 Fabrication]

Alright everyone, the new batch of ladder parts is in. We installed a ladder with the corrected top plate angle on our company 4runner this morning and it fit great! These parts will be going to powder coat this week. We should have them back and ready to ship out by the end of next week. Sorry it takes a few days to get in with the powder coat shop that does these parts for us.

 

[andrew4r]

Has anyone received and mounted the new top plate? Is the issue fixed?