Tailgate reinforcement - Is Relentless Fab still in business?

The ONLY company I can find that has ever made one for a 1st gen is Relentless Fab, and virtually EVERYTHING on their website is "back-ordered". 2 things: are they still in business, and does anyone else know of another maker of a tailgate reinforcement plate?

 

Why don't you ask them?
@RelentlessFab

 

We build to order for most of our products. We have a vast number of products, limited space, and only 5 of us that do everything at the shop so stocking everything would be impossible for us.
That said, we do try to stock the tailgate reinforcements- the tailgate panel inventory has not been updated in a little while but we restocked them a few weeks ago and just got some back from powder coat as well. I should have most variants of material/coating on hand. If you're concerned about lead time send us in a message through our contact page on our site or give us a call and we'll check stock on the particular part you're looking for.
If you message us or call after monday this week you might not get a reply this week as we will be gone tuesday through the rest of the week at SEMA

 

I've got the reinforcement pannel, its fantastic.

 

It's that easy! @Kleenax

 

Did that; no response yet.

Seeing Relentless' response now on here, I see an answer from them as to why I possibly haven't received a response, but I have my own Mfg Co. as well, and if you can respond to forums, I would certainly suggest you monitor and respond to your customer contact site as well since that pays the bills.

And, if I'm looking at Relentless' website (as a potential customer), I sure as hell don't want to see the words, "Back-ordered"! Here is the definition of Back-Ordered, and when I see that term, it immediately gives me a negative feeling towards doing business with that company, because who wants to wait 6 months for something and then be told it's not ready yet?

BACK-ORDER
"A customer order that cannot be filled when presented, and for which the customer is prepared to wait for some time. The percentage of inventory items backordered and the number of backorder days are important measures of the quality of a company's customer service and the effectiveness of its inventory management."

Suggest you change "back-ordered" to "fabricated for you upon order - give us a call".

 

Our web site inquiries are taken care of by someone else, I'm the founder/co-owner of the company and visit the forums from time to time, this forum is where I originally began selling parts before I was even a business. I am usually in the shop fabricating and overseeing work being done vs on emails.
I would love to change the site term of 'Backordered' to something more personalized however our web platform doesnt allow for it.

 

I feel like maybe you should relax.

 

Truck parts are serious business yo!

 

Seriously!

 

Are you asking if they're still in business or bashing the business? Just getting negative vibe...

If you don't like the way their business do things, maybe you should take your business elsewhere. Don't criticize and tell the business how to operate their business to your standard. At least that's what I would do.

Cheers

 

Hey man he's been super solid here for a super long time - I've never seen anyone that has ever done business with him ever have anything but positive things to say. Nothing wrong with giving constructive criticism. I don't think the way you're choosing to go about it paints you in a good light though. IMO not enough people just pick up the phone and call to answer this type of question anymore. Drama could be saved and you could have given him your interpretation of what backordered meant. In aftermarket fab you're just going to find that websites vary in quality and accuracy. Reputation and quality of his product is what sets Relentless apart from the competition, which there is some if you look hard enough, but if you can afford his stuff, I don't think you'll do any better buying anything else. Anything that gets "manufactured" for our trucks and has a lot of parts in stock is going to be lower quality since the best guys stay busy with projects.

 

Seriously...

 

Most TOYOTA off road business are family owned and operated with just a hand full of employee multi tasking. Most parts are probably made to order (we're not jeep here with tons of options from different vendor) versus having over stock items sitting on the shelf and not being sold, thus saving the family owned company money and allowing employee to do other things. Parts sitting on the shelf do no good for a small company when that money can be spent else where.

Might be off topic, but when I order off road parts, I much rather wait the 1~3 months for marlin crawler then buy them cheaper and in stock from trail gear. Quality over Quantity any day.

 

Quality>quantity

 

Dude just chill. Call them, very nice people.

 

Could someone please post a pic of theirs? I'd like to see what they look like, I might make a few for myself and some others. Does anyone know the thickness/gauge of the metal? Thanks

 

P.S. not to step on toes just would'nt do a production run of theirs, unless the Co Relentless gave me a go ahead, which I doubt (I don't blame them) I'm not wanting to copycat. Could maybe use pressed stainless.

 

@JimBeam

 

@JimBeam it's getting crazy in here