School Engineering Project

[Granada7]

Hey T4R members,

With it being my senior year in high school, I have entered into the final engineering class offered at my school. Our project for the year is to desgin and build a product which could be marketed and sold. We have to follow the desgin process just like a engineer would do in the real world. I've been brainstorming a few ideas and I would love to desgin a product that would benefit T4R members. I know there must be some kind of part that you guys have wished you could buy.

So what I am asking you guys is, do you have any ideas for a product that you wish someone made, so that you could buy it? Like a part that would be helpful? Or a modification that would benefit your build? Or even just a cool cosmetic part that would add some style to your 4runner. I'm open to all suggestions and there really isnt any limitations on the size of the final product. I just wanted to here some ideas that you guys may have.

I will be working on the project all year, going form brainstorming ideas, to desgining a prototype on 3D software, and then constructing a full size product. I would love to keep you guys informed on my progess if the product pertains to 4runners or T4R members.

Thanks for the help,
Matt

Some led light bar brackets for roof

 

[SRQ-Runner]

Some led light bar brackets for roof

I'm pretty sure there is some of those out and about. Thanks for the idea though.

 

[JoeBand]

great idea, but i'm glad i have a '00.
how does it fit with a passenger's legs?

 

[SRQ-Runner]

great idea, but i'm glad i have a '00.
how does it fit with a passenger's legs?

I have do some measuring, but it is definitely going to interfere in some way. I'm going to try and reduce that amount of space it takes up as much as possible so the passenger doesn't loose to much space.

It will be removable though, so if you don't need it, you can always just unclip it and throw it in the back seat. Then the passenger will have plenty of room.

 

[SRQ-Runner]

Little size comparison for you guys.

 

[T4R2014]

Is that with the seat moved up fully? I would make sure it doesn't interfere.

 

[xcmtb83]

Is that with the seat moved up fully? I would make sure it doesn't interfere.

X2!

This was my immediate thought when I learned of the desired location many posts back. I have personally considered machining some cup holders out of black plastic for that same location. I found there isn't enough room for 100% passenger seat track travel. In addition to track travel obstruction it would be uncomfortable for the passenger to have two Big Gulps right there.

 

[NHRunner]

I would love a 3D printed switch plate that's formed nicely to replace that drop-down sunglasses door. It would only have to hold 3 or 4 switches!

 

[Ed_C]

How about a Satoshi style grill shell? Something with the center already opened and the surrounds are already "finished". Have hidden mounting tabs or holes for whatever grill insert people choose,let them source the insert themselves. For example you can get diamond cutout expanded metal,round cutout plastic or metal sheets,or even plastic mesh from mcmaster.com

 

[SRQ-Runner]

Is that with the seat moved up fully? I would make sure it doesn't interfere.

X2!

This was my immediate thought when I learned of the desired location many posts back. I have personally considered machining some cup holders out of black plastic for that same location. I found there isn't enough room for 100% passenger seat track travel. In addition to track travel obstruction it would be uncomfortable for the passenger to have two Big Gulps right there.

The seat is pretty close to all the way, but could be moved foward more. There is about 5" from where the seat is now to the start of where the cupholders would be. I could move the cupholders foward a little bit more but then it starts to conflict with the dash angling up. Getting it to sit right would be a pain. The nice thing about this design is if a passenger hops in the truck with you and you guys dont plan on drinking, you can just pull the 3pins and toss the cupholders in the back. Then only the bracket will remain, which is not going to conflict with leg space. No matter what I do, leg space will be affect cause there just isnt much space in the first place. I'm still just in the desgining phase and there are many different desgins to come before I build a final prototype. I plan on using these in my 4runner, so I'm working hard to make sure the desgin takes advantage of all the space available.

 

[T4R2014]

I would love a 3D printed switch plate that's formed nicely to replace that drop-down sunglasses door. It would only have to hold 3 or 4 switches!

This is a good idea. The only issue is that his 1997 has a different roof console from your 1999. He would need the 99+ part in order to test it. Not to sound like a gigantic doucher, but that cupholder location and design seems a tad bit inconvenient IMO. Though like you said, it is still only the designing phase as of now.

 

[thardy]

Thank you for all the help so far! What do you think?

I like this but it takes up leg room that in my opinion is fairly valuable.

What about for us early 3rd owners just a heavy duty cup holder to replace the piece of craps that came stock. Something to even put in the same location

To hell with extra cup holder lets get some cup holders period!!

 

[SRQ-Runner]

This is a good idea. The only issue is that his 1997 has a different roof console from your 1999. He would need the 99+ part in order to test it. Not to sound like a gigantic doucher, but that cupholder location and design seems a tad bit inconvenient IMO. Though like you said, it is still only the designing phase as of now.

I was thinking that I could design a gauge/switch holder down in the empty space under the cigarette lighter. Would that be a okay placement for people?

 

[1engineer]

I was thinking that I could design a gauge/switch holder down in the empty space under the cigarette lighter. Would that be a okay placement for people?

Do you remember what I posted way back in this thread?
You are never going to make everyone happy. You picked cupholders and that is a good project. There will be guys who complain about loss of legroom but you have addressed that with the pinned connection. What about guys who are mostly alone and need extra water bottles or a place for their cell phones. Your solution works well for them. Don't let a little criticism spook you. Go with it and if they want something different, let them design and build it themselves. This will happen on every single project. That's why I said everyone hates us lol.

 

[Jasonredwood]

A bolt in cargo barrier would be nice or a ladder for the back.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

Do you remember what I posted way back in this thread?
You are never going to make everyone happy. You picked cupholders and that is a good project. There will be guys who complain about loss of legroom but you have addressed that with the pinned connection. What about guys who are mostly alone and need extra water bottles or a place for their cell phones. Your solution works well for them. Don't let a little criticism spook you. Go with it and if they want something different, let them design and build it themselves. This will happen on every single project. That's why I said everyone hates us lol.

I'm with this guy. You have a good design idea. Keep working on it. To make some more people happy you could support the cup holders with a hinged gusset so you can have the bracket fold down when/if leg room is needed.

 

[Jowenbrown]

+1 for what 1engineer said.

I think your cup holder is a great idea. Don't start second-guessing. I have a 99 with center console cup holders, but I think you're on to something good. I'm really interested in the other attachments you'd be able to put there & I think you'll waste a lot of time if you go down the rabbit hole of trying to make everybody happy.

 

[SRQ-Runner]

I'm sticking with the cup holder idea for sure, I feel that it will be beneficial for a lot of people on this forum. I was just bringing up the gauge cluster as another little project. Basically just be a plate shaped to fit in the space with some gauge holes in it. As part of the school project I have to write down other ideas before I go all in on one product and I figured the gauge cluster would be a good one to write down.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

I'm sticking with the cupholder holder idea for sure, I feel that it will be benifical for a lot of people on this fourm. I was just bringing up the gauge cluster as another little project. Basically just be a plate shaped to fit in the space with some gauge holes in it. As part of the school project I have to write down other ideas before I go all in on one product and I figured the gauge cluster would be a good one to right down.

I like the idea of that as well. I ran out of room on the driver side area this weekend lol

Currently I have my cb speaker mounted there but I could find another place for that easily. A legit panel where you could customize the content would be well worth the design imo. I've got plans for oba, more lights, and a switched power inverter....when that is I have no idea though.

 

[SRQ-Runner]

I like the idea of that as well. I ran out of room on the driver side area this weekend lol

Currently I have my cb speaker mounted there but I could find another place for that easily. A legit panel where you could customize the content would be well worth the design imo. I've got plans for oba, more lights, and a switched power inverter....when that is I have no idea though.

I may look into building something like that at the end of the year if I have some extra time.

BTW to everyone else, I posted all my current sketches on the OP.