Opinions: H3 aftermarket fab lacking?

[Chocflip201]

Remember those grill badges?

I'm listening...

 

[ABNTROOP]

You'll be hearing crickets :giggle: I got steamrolled so bad the first time I got the message loud and clear. I'm not going to pursue it..

 

[4speedfunk]

THORparts....Its really just a way to get some great parts into the hands of guys that want them. It is not a huge money-maker, and the only way I could ever turn big profits is go overseas with the production. There simply isn't enough demand to justify manufacturing parts in the thousands (which is what it takes to make giraffe money). So I piddle around and crank out bumpers in batches of 25 here and there, and scrape a little off the top for my trouble. I store them in several locations, usually for a case of beer or a free bumper. I have a couple buddies that come and help when its harvest time (packing & crate building). At times I'm overwhelmed with the amount of work it takes but, its pretty cool to see so many THORparts out in the real world, getting used & abused. Its a great big middle-finger to the major companies that refuse to offer parts for the H3 or even acknowledge its worthy of off-roading. UP YOURS BUSHWACKER!

My hat's off to CBphoto, Hunner, Schwarttzy, Outfitter Design, and all the other small-time fab guys that have realized the need...come up with an idea...made the commitment...and continue to support and improve the H3. Most of all...the forums (H4O) are the best tool in the world. I love it when guys start brain-storming on parts ideas! We can't just open a catalog, max-out the VISA card, and drive off in a monster JK. If you want to seriously improve an H3...you gotta get full-custom on its ass!

 

[ABNTROOP]

Just save a front and rear bumper for me, I'll be ordering in several months when I refill the coffers

 

[Highatop]

THORparts....Its really just a way to get some great parts into the hands of guys that want them. It is not a huge money-maker, and the only way I could ever turn big profits is go overseas with the production. There simply isn't enough demand to justify manufacturing parts in the thousands (which is what it takes to make giraffe money). So I piddle around and crank out bumpers in batches of 25 here and there, and scrape a little off the top for my trouble. I store them in several locations, usually for a case of beer or a free bumper. I have a couple buddies that come and help when its harvest time (packing & crate building). At times I'm overwhelmed with the amount of work it takes but, its pretty cool to see so many THORparts out in the real world, getting used & abused. Its a great big middle-finger to the major companies that refuse to offer parts for the H3 or even acknowledge its worthy of off-roading. UP YOURS BUSHWACKER!

My hat's off to CBphoto, Hunner, Schwarttzy, Outfitter Design, and all the other small-time fab guys that have realized the need...come up with an idea...made the commitment...and continue to support and improve the H3. Most of all...the forums (H4O) are the best tool in the world. I love it when guys start brain-storming on parts ideas! We can't just open a catalog, max-out the VISA card, and drive off in a monster JK. If you want to seriously improve an H3...you gotta get full-custom on its ass!

Well put and I think that says it all. To you too ,Thorparts, 4speed. No one will be gettin rich but, for us that want these things is a plus.
I also, thank everyones ideas and parts. I have a few of them and very happy w/ them.
So Choc, everyone else has heard the talk and ideas...Now ,we need someone to follow through w/ it. I'm still in...:corn:

 

[Chocflip201]

Now ,we need someone to follow through w/ it. I'm still in...:corn:

So am I. I'm currently about halfway through making a hood-pod like Mikolas, except for a 20" LED bar, not 4 round lights. I've just about got the plug finished and then I'll be making a negative mold off of that out of fiberglass. Then I need to decide if I want to go fancy and pop it out as carbon fiber or go cheap and easy with fiberglass for the final product.

Once this is all done, I will be on tube-door duty.

 

[TAPDH3T]

So am I. I'm currently about halfway through making a hood-pod like Mikolas, except for a 20" LED bar, not 4 round lights. I've just about got the plug finished and then I'll be making a negative mold off of that out of fiberglass. Then I need to decide if I want to go fancy and pop it out as carbon fiber or go cheap and easy with fiberglass for the final product.

Once this is all done, I will be on tube-door duty.

Are u going to produce these to sell?


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[Chocflip201]

Are u going to produce these to sell?


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If people want me to. I will already have the negative mold so it would be really easy to make duplicates out of FG or CF.

Theres just a couple issues, I kinda designed the prototype around my 20" LED bar, which is not a brand that any of you have (deviant lighting) and so the mounting system I'm using would be different than yours. Right now the "shell" is pretty much universal for most lights though. The front vertical "wall" where the lights will come through isn't perfectly flat (because the front of the OEM hood faux louvres has a radius to it.

I'll just have to post up pics when I get finished and see if people are interested, or if there would be changes I could make for people to be interested.

As as far as the mounting system goes, would I basically just plan on everyone using a RIGID bar? And make it work with that? I'm brainstorming ideas of how to make it universal for any brand of light.

 

[Woodtick]

I like the door idea. Have you thought of using lexon? Look at BRTeck and the lightweight products they have. He may be able to make the skin part of the door for you. I have bought a sled hood from him,and he was great to deal with.

 

[Chocflip201]

I bought a snowmobile hood from them too, I was super unimpressed.

 

[TAPDH3T]

If people want me to. I will already have the negative mold so it would be really easy to make duplicates out of FG or CF.

Theres just a couple issues, I kinda designed the prototype around my 20" LED bar, which is not a brand that any of you have (deviant lighting) and so the mounting system I'm using would be different than yours. Right now the "shell" is pretty much universal for most lights though. The front vertical "wall" where the lights will come through isn't perfectly flat (because the front of the OEM hood faux louvres has a radius to it.

I'll just have to post up pics when I get finished and see if people are interested, or if there would be changes I could make for people to be interested.

As as far as the mounting system goes, would I basically just plan on everyone using a RIGID bar? And make it work with that? I'm brainstorming ideas of how to make it universal for any brand of light.

That's understandable.. I will be using a OLB light bar.. An if u make it 20" I will get 20".. I don't know if it's easier or not, but maybe leave the front sealed and the person can cut what ever size they need.. Personally if u made it like that I would use the 12" I have hidden in the bumper and put three emergency lights on each side.. But if u make it I will buy it..

 

[Chocflip201]

That's understandable.. I will be using a OLB light bar.. An if u make it 20" I will get 20".. I don't know if it's easier or not, but maybe leave the front sealed and the person can cut what ever size they need.. Personally if u made it like that I would use the 12" I have hidden in the bumper and put three emergency lights on each side.. But if u make it I will buy it..

Right now it is set up to people being able to cut out whatever size/shape hole they would want. The only issue is every light has it's own separate style of mounting brackets. So the hard part would be for the buyer to make a nice mounting bracket unless they know how to fiberglass and stuff already, or I don't think they would be happy with the results.

I could sell it as an option of just a "blank" fiberglass shell, which would mean no holes cut out, no mounting brackets or nothing. It would be the cheapest option but you would basically have to know how to finish it.

 

[Highatop]

Just puttin this thread back on page 1. We don't want Choc to forget about the doors too...

 

[Chocflip201]

Just puttin this thread back on page 1. We don't want Choc to forget about the doors too...

Ha no I'm not forgetting. I have the plug for my hood pod pretty much done, just have to make the negative mold.

 

[Chocflip201]

Plug is 98% done. Sanding and blocking done, just needs a coat of gel coat.

 

[poweraidon]

Please fab a front bumper and sell it for a reasonable price


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[06 H3]

Whatever happened to Bebe? Did she sell her Bebemonster?

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I think she still has it but last I heard she was upgrading the rear axle.

 

[High Five H2]

man the only thing I want that's not available is a front bumper just like bebe's. I guess H2O only made that one, or went out of business or something. I can't say I'm a huge fan of the over the hood grill guard though. it doesn't make a lot of sense for a regular-hood truck like an H3.

You know what would be cool, but totally useless? a kit that gives the 3 a backwards hood just like the h2 and h1. if you make one of those, I'll buy it, even if it's the equivalent of lambo doors on a civic.

 

[6pack]

You know what would be cool, but totally useless? a kit that gives the 3 a backwards hood just like the h2 and h1. if you make one of those, I'll buy it, even if it's the equivalent of lambo doors on a civic.

I would buy that in a heartbeat. I have always been annoyed that we didn't get the hood heritage of our brethren.

But my vote is for upper control arms. I just found out OD dropped theirs due to price. I guess I need to go for a stock pair for now, but would love to replace them with an upgraded set.

 

[Hayden]

I would buy that in a heartbeat. I have always been annoyed that we didn't get the hood heritage of our brethren.

But my vote is for upper control arms. I just found out OD dropped theirs due to price. I guess I need to go for a stock pair for now, but would love to replace them with an upgraded set.

x10000000 on the uca's. Need to replace mine too.


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[digglesworth]

I have a feeling I'll be needing some of those in the next year or so. Just hit 90k and I plan to do a bunch of wheeling so a front end rebuild will need to be done. Not if, when.....

 

[Chocflip201]

I just sprayed the gelcoat on the hood pod. I'm currently working on making a deal to make it so I can offer these with an LED bar already installed and ready to go, to where [any of] you [interested] would not have to make any modifications at all to run it.

This is is a terrible picture of the gelcoat, but other than the hole not being already cut in the front, this would basically be what the finished product would look like. This is a white gelcoat, which is a hard, waterproof, non-porous material (the same material that fiberglass boat hulls are coated with) It would also be offered in gloss black, and flat black. If you want it to custom-paint match the rest of your truck, you can scuff and paint the gelcoat whatever color you like. If there is enough interest I could also do carbon fiber. I would imagine that the cost would push most of you interested in just going with fiberglass.

 

[poweraidon]

Maybe just my taste but I kinda like this can you make something like this

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[Chocflip201]

Maybe just my taste but I kinda like this can you make something like this

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Ha I can make anything. In my opinion, that's huge and gawdy, I tried to keep mine low profile as I could (only about ½" higher than the top of the LED bar) and also kept it the same size as the OEM faux hood louvres.

But, if there is enough interest, I could do whatever people want.

Sponsor account is pending by the way.

 

[poweraidon]

Anything? [emoji16] can you please make a front bumper with a reasonable price tag and maybe some fenders if you can find a way to integrate it into the body without it looking weird... The bumpers and fenders will sell like hotcakes


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