Fuel Tank Relocation (and new Rear Bumper design)

[jkeith.w]

Sicmods Keith!!!! Just gotta save up some funds so I can get the f150 fuel tank relocation and bumper together !!

BTW, I'm discounting the tank relocation kit for folks who order the bumper... :naughty:

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Thanks for the kind words!

I'm actually releasing a non-BL mount kit as an add-on later in the year. The flare extensions will be add-ons as well. This allows me to maintain the same base bumper for all scenarios and keep the price down for you guys.

How early will preorders for non BL and flare add-ons be taken? If you get a waiting list going for those, I’d like to be added to it please! I’ll keep an eye on this to make sure I don’t miss my opportunity to get on the first preorder run either way, but tag me when you do!

 

[jkeith.w]

How early will preorders for non BL and flare add-ons be taken? If you get a waiting list going for those, I’d like to be added to it please! I’ll keep an eye on this to make sure I don’t miss my opportunity to get on the first preorder run either way, but tag me when you do!

I don’t think I’ll need to do pre-orders on the add-ons; they won’t require the same up-front costs that launching a new bumper does.

 

[Rockdawg84]

Woot! Deposit Sent.:reddance:

 

[rickashay]

Stoked to get mine on!!

 

[jkeith.w]

As of this morning, all of the bumpers in the first run are spoken for.

Thanks guys!

 

[Bad Luck]

[MENTION=28464]eimkeith[/MENTION] I know it's probably difficult to say, but will future bumper orders require waiting for a set number of other people to order before you placing your order with your bend shop? I know there's enough demand right now for the first set of pre orders to be snatched up in a couple of days. I'm just trying to get an idea for future orders. I'm still in the maintenance/fix previous owner's hack jobs phase which takes priority over the sweet awesomeness that this bumper is. :whoo:

 

[jkeith.w]

[MENTION=28464]eimkeith[/MENTION] I know it's probably difficult to say, but will future bumper orders require waiting for a set number of other people to order before you placing your order with your bend shop? I know there's enough demand right now for the first set of pre orders to be snatched up in a couple of days. I'm just trying to get an idea for future orders. I'm still in the maintenance/fix previous owner's hack jobs phase which takes priority over the sweet awesomeness that this bumper is. :whoo:

Well, it's not just the bend shop; there's a lot of up-front investment to do a run of these (at least it's a lot for me at this level :wave: ) - I was just telling my guys today that I've got $1200 just in fasteners and boxes arriving this week for this first run of bumpers! So, I could see continuing to do these larger-scope products in groups of 10 or so with pre-orders like this so that I can retain enough resources to continue to design & prototype new stuff at the same time (which is really what I enjoy about this stuff) - at least until I'm able to kick it up a notch, business-wise?

But, that's a one-sided perspective; from the end-user side is pre-ordering a negative? Genuinely interested in the purchaser perspective; I do plan to do a front bumper, etc.

Thoughts?

 

[wrench.n.wheel]

Well, it's not just the bend shop; there's a lot of up-front investment to do a run of these (at least it's a lot for me at this level :wave: ) - I was just telling my guys today that I've got $1200 just in fasteners and boxes arriving this week for this first run of bumpers! So, I could see continuing to do these larger-scope products in groups of 10 or so with pre-orders like this so that I can retain enough resources to continue to design & prototype new stuff at the same time (which is really what I enjoy about this stuff) - at least until I'm able to kick it up a notch, business-wise?

But, that's a one-sided perspective; from the end-user side is pre-ordering a negative? Genuinely interested in the purchaser perspective; I do plan to do a front bumper, etc.

Thoughts?

Only reason pre-ordering is a negative is wait times are uncertain or even hard to estimate. Granted I'm in the first run so it doesn't matter to me. Thank you for accommodating my special request as well!

 

[Bad Luck]

But, that's a one-sided perspective; from the end-user side is pre-ordering a negative? Genuinely interested in the purchaser perspective; I do plan to do a front bumper, etc.

Thoughts?

I'm not sure when I'll be ordering one, but I'm fine with pre ordering. Most fab shops doing this sort of work have wait times in the months range and require most or all up front before work starts. I guess what I'm trying to say is it's a familiar business model for our aftermarket support. I'm not sure what your bend shop order requirements are or if there's a minimum or a price break for x amount ordered through them. It's none of my business frankly. What I would hope for is a max waiting time for pre-orders before you place your order. A couple months between the first person pre-orders with you and you placing your order with the bend shop sounds reasonable to me. Just my $0.02 on the subject. I'm not trying to change or force your business model by any means.

 

[jkeith.w]

I'm not sure when I'll be ordering one, but I'm fine with pre ordering. Most fab shops doing this sort of work have wait times in the months range and require most or all up front before work starts. I guess what I'm trying to say is it's a familiar business model for our aftermarket support. I'm not sure what your bend shop order requirements are or if there's a minimum or a price break for x amount ordered through them. It's none of my business frankly. What I would hope for is a max waiting time for pre-orders before you place your order. A couple months between the first person pre-orders with you and you placing your order with the bend shop sounds reasonable to me. Just my $0.02 on the subject. I'm not trying to change or force your business model by any means.

Yeah, I get that and agree with all of it. On this one I intentionally didn't send out invoicing for the deposits until we had all 10 (well, I launched at 9, figured I'd buy the leftover bumper) - anyway, I don't think it's cool to collect folks $$ until we're ready to roll.

 

[sleepydad]

Well, it's not just the bend shop; there's a lot of up-front investment to do a run of these (at least it's a lot for me at this level :wave: ) - I was just telling my guys today that I've got $1200 just in fasteners and boxes arriving this week for this first run of bumpers! So, I could see continuing to do these larger-scope products in groups of 10 or so with pre-orders like this so that I can retain enough resources to continue to design & prototype new stuff at the same time (which is really what I enjoy about this stuff) - at least until I'm able to kick it up a notch, business-wise?

But, that's a one-sided perspective; from the end-user side is pre-ordering a negative? Genuinely interested in the purchaser perspective; I do plan to do a front bumper, etc.

Thoughts?

I will be wanting one on the next run. I don't mind waiting and I don't mind putting down $ up front if I can see the seller has a proven track record and has their blood pressure under control.

<a href="https://imgur.com/FmFyGSH"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/FmFyGSH.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[2TH4IST]

Finally joined up here lol. Glade I was a ble to jump in on the preorder. A question for you, how does the bumper attach to the frame (besides the nut strip thingy)? Also, I know it was answered before, but looking at the pics how does the chain actually attach to the bumper (for the hitch). I see holes but is there a gap or anything to attach it to?

And to chime in on preorders from a purchaser side of view (nothing personal). I usually never do preorders. I have been burned in the past by businesses cutting and running with our cash, and taking months and months to get the products if we ever do. Not saying you'll ever do this though. If the company doesn't have it physically in their hands, then it doesn't exist. I know there is a balance a company has to keep, ROI ect and upfront costs, but that is what investing in your business is IMO.

But being I have bought from you already and seen the quality products in my hand (along with wanting this bumper) I took the risk of jumping in on a preorder. I cant wait!

 

[Rockdawg84]

I'll Just jump in here as well. Last year my wife ordered a front bumper for my birthday (well I did with her approval hehe). The company is very reputable and builds amazing bumpers. But because of issues like fabricator turnover and moving locations it took 4 months to get a bumper that was originally stated would take 4 weeks to ship. All that being said I love my front bumper and can't wait to get this bumper on the rear. Preorders are a fact of life with any shop or individual that is not ARB. I've gotten several items from [MENTION=28464]eimkeith[/MENTION] and every time have been impressed with the quality and the thoughtfulness of each product. I am confident that this bumper will be the same. Don't let waiting on a preorder hold you back. I am betting that each run will sell just as fast as this one.

thank you for the awesome products.

Sam

PS. get to work on that rear 4link. LOL:yo:

 

[jkeith.w]

Finally joined up here lol. Glade I was able to jump in on the preorder. A question for you, how does the bumper attach to the frame (besides the nut strip thingy)? Also, I know it was answered before, but looking at the pics how does the chain actually attach to the bumper (for the hitch). I see holes but is there a gap or anything to attach it to?

So the bumper uses 3 of the 4 factory holes in the bottom of the frame rails - the rear 2 are pre-threaded from the factory, the 3rd and 4th (4th will be for skid plate use soon) are backed by the nut-strip, which I'm supplying with the bumper.

But those are secondary mounts - the primary mounts attach to the crossmember (bolt in from the inside.) Those mounts are 1/4 in plate and are welded to the bumper face. They also support the recovery points, which are 1" thick and are bolted into position (the bolts will double as mounts for the swing-out hinge reinforcement down the road) then welded to the mount plate and the bumper face. The recovery points then have a direct load path to the frame rails when used for winching recovery.

Between the 1/4 plate mounts inside the bumper will be the 2x2 tube that the end-user supplies (no sense adding that cost & shipping weight for something that is easily obtained locally). That tube will act as cross bracing for the recovery points as well as the mount for the receiver tube (also end-user supplied). The receiver is notched for the 2x2 tube, then welded to both the tube and the bumper face. I supply a 1/4" plate brace that ties in the receiver, tube, and bumper face, and acts as a safety chain retainer from the backside (hooks go through this horizontal plate).

You can sort of see this in the photo in post #350 in this thread.

And to chime in on preorders from a purchaser side of view (nothing personal). I usually never do preorders. I have been burned in the past by businesses cutting and running with our cash, and taking months and months to get the products if we ever do. Not saying you'll ever do this though. If the company doesn't have it physically in their hands, then it doesn't exist. I know there is a balance a company has to keep, ROI ect and upfront costs, but that is what investing in your business is IMO.

But being I have bought from you already and seen the quality products in my hand (along with wanting this bumper) I took the risk of jumping in on a preorder. I cant wait!

I appreciate the confidence! I do this stuff as a hobby on nights & weekends out of my personal time & resources, which is why it sometimes takes a while to release new stuff (and you guys are generally really patient about that!), but if I were to ratchet it up to a full-fledged business, carrying inventory in and pre-stocking these larger products would certainly be appropriate.

(Right now it's at sort of a sweet spot, though, which helps keep costs low.)

 

[jkeith.w]

. . . that I've got $1200 just in fasteners and boxes . . .

speaking of fasteners, I've been unable to source M12x1.25x30 10.9 button head socket cap bolts (which I'd prefer to use under the bumpers over JIS hex heads) - anyone here in the fastener industry?

 

[2TH4IST]

Thanks for the reply. I'm assuming this bumper will be removable? From your pics it looks like the frame plates (the ones behind the tow eyes) are welded to the frame or am I wrong? Will there be install instructions supplies or it it pretty straight forward? Thanks again for answering my questions.

I'm not, but I can check with our suppliers to see what they have.

 

[jkeith.w]

Thanks for the reply. I'm assuming this bumper will be removable? From your pics it looks like the frame plates (the ones behind the tow eyes) are welded to the frame or am I wrong? Will there be install instructions supplies or it it pretty straight forward?

Yes, it's removable - the rear crossmember is welded between the frame rails, the bumper bolts to the bottom of frame and to the crossmember.

I'll do a full installation thread when the bumpers ship.

 

[2TH4IST]

Waiting on a response from my fastner guy on those bolts. But also give rainbow bolt & supply a call. Here is their info:

Rainbowboltsupply.com
951-684-3870

Edit - my guy (fastenal) can't get the m12x1.25 x 30mm. Are you sure it's 1.25 and not 1.75? Still check with rainbow.

 

[Coward]

speaking of fasteners, I've been unable to source M12x1.25x30 10.9 button head socket cap bolts (which I'd prefer to use under the bumpers over JIS hex heads) - anyone here in the fastener industry?

I did verify that my Kimball Midwest rep canNOT get these. Sorry man.