What type of fabricated parts are most 4x4 users wanting?

rockcity

rockcity

everyday is a chance to get better
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Location
Greenville, NC
OK, I'm enlisting the help of NC4x4 for this. Think of this like a case study on the 4x4 market. As most of you all know I once used to actively sell laser cut tabs and brackets, etc. Well, recently I've been really wanting to get back into it and be more serious about it.

I did have a lot of good parts, but there were a lot of good parts out there that I didn't do. What flat cut and formed parts is everyone buying? What is the most popular? I want to taylor this to what you all want, not what I have to offer.

So, before I do anything, what kind of new or improved parts do you all want to see? DIY beadlocks? Tabs? Brackets? you name it, let me know. I'm taking a look at all of this to check the feasablility, etc.
 
I had some plate bent in a "U", whith the inside width for the normal 1 1/4" link joints (2 5/8" wide I think) I just had the guy bend them, and leave them about a foot long.

I'd suggest getting some bent 8 feet long out of a piece of 1/4" (or however long the brake you have access to can handle), then sell it by the foot. Don't bother with holes, just sell it as is and let the buyer drill the holes, thats the easy part...

If you are not following what I'm saying LMK and I'll get a pic.
 
Are you just looking for building/fabbing fairly generic type parts, or specific application types of stuff to make, like mods/upgrades for specific vehicles?
i have an idea or something specific for 86-95 Yotas
 
Rob,
Just a thought here...take a look at the companies that have or did survived for a long time with a horrible reputation (USA 6x6 jumps to mind) how about offering options for buyers of those products....I am probably expanding your intended scope a bit but I thibnk thats an opportunity
 
DIY weld on beadlocks
Wheel centers for various lug patterns, and sizes
already cut to fit axle trusses, with mounting options for links and so on.
weld together bumpers, with tow tabs and receiver hitches
Mounting brackets for various T-cases(bolt to the T-case)
Engine mounts
All manor of Rockwell stuff
 
check out barnes4wd on ebay. They are local. If you can beat them on what they sell, as far as fabbed stuff, you will do good.
 
DIY Truss kits, (plate cut, I weld it all up)
Adjustable inside frame upper link mount kits ( that can tie into next item)
Lower link frame mount, can also use for leafs.
gussets, tabs, etc.
DIY beadlock stuff ( while your at it, cut some H1 stiffeners)


any / all brackets could be done with or w/o the holes drilled.


Thats just thinking about what I need, and would make life easier, but I'm not about to pay top dollar for some things ( poly performance/bluetorch), I'd just save the money and fab them, but if someone local had deals on stuff, i'd definitely buy them just to save time.
 
Affordable DIY beadlocks and maybe XJ frame stiffeners(I need some badly)
 
upnover said:
DIY weld on beadlocks
Wheel centers for various lug patterns, and sizes
already cut to fit axle trusses, with mounting options for links and so on.
weld together bumpers, with tow tabs and receiver hitches
Mounting brackets for various T-cases(bolt to the T-case)
Engine mounts
All manor of Rockwell stuff
Click to expand...


X2 X4 YES AMEN!

Oh, and some guy up on the trail said I needed a left-handed smoke shifter mounted to my axle separator. Can u make one of those? J/K!
 
I appreciate the suggestions.

Mainly I'm looking at generic parts as well as vehicle specific parts. right now there are tons of companies making tons of parts. Lots of generic parts are easy and will be in the mix. Mainly I'm looking for some good, useful parts with the user's input on how to make them better.

DIY beadlocks will be on the short list as well as H1 centers and bead stiffeners/bolt protection. the DIY beadlocks will be re-designed from before to be more lightweight and affordable, yet look good.

I'm not intending to have any parts welded together. Most of these parts I'm looking at doing are all DIY parts and kits. diff covers will be a DIY kit as well as anything else.

I like the input I'm getting and I'll start working on a few good parts to share with the group within the next month or so.

Any other ideas come up, please post up or voice your thoughts. I'd like to do this, but I want to cater the parts to what you want. Anyone can draw up a bracket and sell it, but the opinions of the end user is what makes it better.

Thanks all.
 
Just make sure you make a well laid out website that also lists as many details about each part as you can. I hate trying to find parts on a crap site, and usually opt for something more expensive if it takes too long to find.
 
Xlain said:
Just make sure you make a well laid out website that also lists as many details about each part as you can. I hate trying to find parts on a crap site, and usually opt for something more expensive if it takes too long to find.
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I'm glad I'm not the only one that does that. I hate having to look everywhere for a part and once found, there is barely any info on it.
 
I like the bumper kit idea. It would be awesome if you got with someone else to bend/cut tubing as an option to the bumper kits as well.

I think
Steering box braces/stiffners
Roll cage mounts and tie plates
shock tabs
gussets
skidplate kits
Thats all I can think of right now
 
Tacoma747 said:
Don't bother with holes, just sell it as is and let the buyer drill the holes, thats the easy part...
Click to expand...

Hell no.. drill /punch that shit, even if it's for the smallest common denominator (like a 1/2" bolt). I got real tire of drilling through 3/4" of steel when combining 2 link mount plates for drilling.

Or offer it both ways.
 
tabs and all kinds of them. AA does great business and it seems pretty easy to produce what they have going. Point laser cutter towards metal and push button. Make 100 and sell them. they're simple, easy and everyobdy needs them.
 
Rich said:
Hell no.. drill /punch that shit, even if it's for the smallest common denominator (like a 1/2" bolt). I got real tire of drilling through 3/4" of steel when combining 2 link mount plates for drilling.

Or offer it both ways.
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x2

drilling holes is my least favorite part of producing a bracket. no holes would be a deal breaker for me., but it sounds like it could be a useful idea.
 
the hard part would be putting a reasonable price on them. Ballistic fab has a ton of DIY parts that are dirt cheap compared to other suppliers. Beating thier price would be the hard part I think.

I'm sure some long arm brackets for XJ's would sell. I'm in the process of designing some for mine and they will actually be pretty easy to build.
 
Ballistic makes most all of their own parts. However, only about 40% of their business is 4x4, the rest is govt, military, aerospace, etc. Since they produce most of their parts they can keep the costs down. Many of the other places farm out their parts, includig BTF and others (as I did in the past). Because its nearly impossible to have all the equipment for a wide selection of parts, most places will farm out some degree of their parts.



The CNC plasma is, IMO, the most versatile and cheapest at this point. Add a press and bracket options are nearly limitless.

Right now I'm just looking at parts and sourcing out the fabrication as having a laser, CNC mill, etc. can get pricey. And, there are some locals that already have this stuff :D

I'd like to market it towards the DIY customer as well as pick up some of the custom work I couldn't do before. It will be a CNC plasma (not laser), but for most of the brackets, that is just fine
 
99ncxj said:
the hard part would be putting a reasonable price on them. Ballistic fab has a ton of DIY parts that are dirt cheap compared to other suppliers. Beating thier price would be the hard part I think.
I'm sure some long arm brackets for XJ's would sell. I'm in the process of designing some for mine and they will actually be pretty easy to build.
Click to expand...
The shipping on Ballistic Fabs parts is usually the deal breaker for me.

Long arm brackets for a XJ would be great idea too. I'm with 99ncxj on that one too.
 
PM sent...
 
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