CLOSED - GAR-FAB Tailgate Panel Group Buy - Canada

Hello all,

GAR-FAB would like to announce our debut product, Tacoma Tailgate Panel for a group buy.

GAR-FAB is founded by myself, Jason Garr. I have over a decade of professional experience designing and manufacturing products domestically in Canada. My mission for the company is to bring high quality products and excellent value to the Canadian market. Manufacturing and sourcing domestically allows us to be cost efficient and maintain a high degree of quality control. We will also strive to offer reasonable flat rate shipping on our products (some exclusions may apply) as we feel that just because you live in a different province, doesn't mean you should have to pay differently for the same product.

Now that you know who we are, here are the details of the group buy.

What are we offering - The Tacoma Tailgate Panel.
- Fits all 2nd and 3rd gen Tacoma's
- CNC Machined
- 3/8" UV stabilized HDPE that will stand up to the elements and whatever you throw at it
- 'Lemon Peel' texture to match the factory bed and help add some degree of anti-slip
- Uses existing factory hardware. No modifications, trimming or cutting of your tailgate required
- Maximally flat surface to provide the largest work space possible.
- 1-year warranty against material and workmanship defects

The Costs
Flat Rate shipping of $14.99 CDN Canada-wide!
Base price $189.99 CDN
- 10+ Tailgate Panels 6% off + tax + shipping
- 20+ Tailgate Panels 12% off + tax + shipping
- 30+ Tailgate Panels 17% off + tax + shipping

Group Buy Rules
- Eligible for all Tacomaworld members. No quantity limits (may incur additional shipping costs)
- The Group buy will be open until April 25th 11:59pm. This is the date that will be used to lock in volume discount rate. You may still join the group buy until May 2nd, 11:59pm.
- Payment will be opened after the April 25th lock-in and will request that payment is processed within 1 week of receiving invoice. (I still am fleshing out these invoicing and CC processing details).
- First production round closed - Production will start once payments from the volume discount lock in are received once we reach our 20 person goal. This is expected to be 2-3 weeks to start making deliveries. The current materials market is pretty unpredictable at this time so there is some risk of delay on the raw material procurement. Updates will be made as production progresses.
- Second production round open- Applies to group buy members #39 and up. More members welcome however there will be extended lead times on these orders. #39 and beyond. Closing date to join of May 2, 2021 still applies. This is expected to be 2-3 weeks to start making deliveries. The current materials market is pretty unpredictable at this time so there is some risk of delay on the raw material procurement. Updates will be made as production progresses.

- To be added to the group buy, please PM me with your Email, Name, Address, Phone Number. Your forum name will be added to the group buy members list; all other info will be kept confidential and only used for invoicing purpose.


Pictures

Prototype installed on 3rd Gen - This is a good example of the finish and the chamfering detail. Actual panels will have the side routes of the CAD renders below.



CAD Renders - This is the final design and what you will be receiving. The routes at the short edges were added for clearance to the bed frame and bumper stops.

 

Group Buy Members List

1. @Emanresu
2. @Canadian0rangeTaco
3. @oostroma
4. @llamasmurf
5. @Tridet167
6. @Alder932
7. @blqchclt
8. @BCTRDPro
9. @No37
10. @submit-taco
10+ PRICING ACHIEVED!!!
11. @jordi992
12. @MynameisMUD
13. @Shveet
14. @Snail81
15. @19Canuck
16. @jhmoto
17. @Atlas86
18. @FastEddy59
19. @Buffdeez
20. @liTRD
20+ PRICING ACHIEVED!!!
21. @bctacoma2014
22. @ponts
23. @nightrain403
24. @Tacotj
25. @peturbo
26. @Jkinz11
27. @Ares
28. @dave82at
First production round closed. More members welcome however there will be extended lead times on these orders. #39 and beyond. Closing date to join of May 2, 2021 still applies.
29. @adventures in concrete
30. @dyorge71
30+ PRICING ACHIEVED!!!
31. @lightandgears
32. @performanceja1
33. @Ben2662
34. @ritual21
35. @Tinma
36. @StefanTaco
37. @Downinmyhole
38. @thehalligantool
39. @S4matty
40. @Phil1717
41. @YodaBro
42. @Islander77
43. @yoshihito

 

Reserved for production Updates

2021/04/09 - the supplier confirmed stock is on hand for raw material so lead time on this should be less than originally anticipated.

2021/04/15 - Production has been moved up and payment will be opened and production started once we reach 20 people.

2021/04/15 - Production material has been secured.

2021/04/20 - Material is currently on route to fabrication. As of today it is estimated that FAI (first article inspection) and fabrication will be happening the first week of may. The potential impact to this is any changes in the raw material delivery schedule. I will start sending payment info out this week. If we end up reaching the 30+ price break and you have already paid ahead of the 25th, partial refunds for the additional discount will be issued. If you have not paid yet, an updated invoice reflecting the new discount will be sent out.

2021/04/21 - Had an update from my material vendor and it will be arriving ahead of schedule this week at the CNC house. We will be able to start FAI and cutting of the panels next week (CNC house to provide final conformation of this Monday April 22nd)

2021_04_28 - FAI (first article inspection) was completed for the tailgate panels and stock should be cut by the end of the week. This was a great opportunity as we were able to catch some minor issues with material quality acceptance and some millimeter level changes to work with the CNC toolpaths better. Some fullfilment will be delayed due to material issues. See post here for details.

2021_05_03 - CNC house has sent confirmation that parts for the first round finished being cut today. Will be receiving and inspecting this week.

2021_05_05 - Our first batch of production panels has just arrived! Will be doing g QC and preparing for shipping next!

2021_05_10 - With the first round we were able to get panels shipped to the first 28 members (updated 2nd production point in members list) ! Woohoo! This was a greater yield than originally expected. The second production round is currently estimated for a May 28th completion.


SECOND BATCH UPDATES
2021_05_25 - Material will be arriving at the CNC shop tomorrow. Will be able to update on approx ship date soon. Thank you for your patience!

2021_06_04 - Second batch has been picked up and is being processed for QC and packaging. On track to ship on Monday the 7th!

2021_06_07 - Second round of panels had been shipped!

 

Cup Holders? ...well beer holders, that is what I look for.

 

It's flat so I guess the entire surface works as a holder.

 

Can confirm. Why limit where you can put your beer?

 

Cup holders are cheap insurance. A tailgate without cup holders has been a hard financial lesson. I’ve spilled or lost more than $189 worth of beer off my tailgate... call me clumsy. I don’t see the need for a flat surface, but I’d spend $189 (+/-) on a cup holder version.

x2 on the cup holders.

 

Perhaps there could be a cup holder option?

 

There may be different version in the future. Suggestions for product improvement or new products are always welcome!

The rationalization for a full flat surface was that when you have camp kitchen set up the holders just become an uneven surface for something else as space fills up.

 

Maybe a screw in cup holder accessory?

 

Admittedly the first thing I looked for was cup holders as well.

However, there is a super easy fix which I plan on doing and leaves the quantity and location up to the end user...

Recessed drop in cup holders are common in the marine world and come in many different shapes and material options such as...

Hole saw, drop in with adhesive/sealant and done. Super simple.

 

Love this forum. Perfect idea @Emanresu

 

Swung by and checked it out myself. The prototype was solid and had little flex with a 300lb gorrila standing on it (too rigid is not good).
But the finish texture is absolutely Spot on to the OEM.
Running my hand between the factory bed and the tailgate panel - as if it was off the same mold, even the sheene is exact.


Fitting up the 30lb OEM rubber mat provided a good transition, still fairly flat.



But @somebody did do his experiments with his prototype, and had addressed design oversights between the prototype and the final design. 1 or 2 bolt holes wernt 100% on the prototype but was adjusted and apparently learned that the 2nd gen and 3rd gen tailgates have 1 tiny difference (3rd gen has 1 more bolt for that "cap" of the tailgate) and a few other fitment changes.



But regardless, it looks good bud!

 

Thanks for posting the additional pics and first hand account of the prototype!

 

So do the bolt hole differences mean you are making a 2nd gen and 3rd gen model? Or the 2nd gen just have extra holes?

 

The 3rd gen tailgate "cap" thing has a total of 8 bolts holding it down, in the 2nd gen, the "cap" is held down by 7 bolts.

Photo below;
on a 3rd gen red "X" exists and the "O" does not.
on a 2nd gen red "O" exist and the 2 "X"s dont.

other than that, the 2 seem to be identical.

believe he mentioned it's a one size fits all, so one unit with holes for both 2nd and 3rd gens.So a 3rd gen Tailgate with one extra hole for a 2nd gen but i'll let him say for certain.

 

@Shveet is correct. It's the same panel for both generations. The the 2nd Gen there will be 2 unused holes and on the 3rd gen,. 1unused hole. These unused holes are under the cap trim (shown in shveet's pics) so they are not seen after install.

 

Bump

 

Thank you everyone for your support, it is very appreciated! We have just reach our first tier of the group buy price break.

 

Just a quick production outlook. My raw material supplier has confirmed stock of raw material. Lead times should be better than originally noted because of this. If we can get to our 20pc discount level, I will procure material ahead of schedule for faster delivery.

edit: because I have no control over who the material vendor sells to, this could create additional lead time if it goes on back order between now and when we get 20 people.