Bumper integrated winch mount - product dev questions

Count me as interested.

 

I have been looking at something like this for some time and would be very interested, but it would all come down to price. The Undercover WMS is pretty badly overpriced for what you get in my opinion, so I've been drawing up some ideas to build myself.

But given a good price, I would much rather buy it and bolt it on rather than engineer it myself.

 

Definitely interested. The FJ version looks great!

 

If it looks as good as the FJ pictured then it would be something that I would consider. I like it.

 

I would be 100% on board, as long as it's less than an ARB bumper with a winch. I tried to read all the posts to see if any mention of price...

Did you try fitting the FJ mount to a Tacoma? they are almost Identical hardware in the front...

 

X2!

 

Anyone that thinks the Undercover HWMS is 'badly' overpriced either has not seen the actual product, or is unaware of what design/engineering/raw materials/manufacturing costs are for low production runs. I'd be very interested to see how much cheaper you can make your own for - assuming you actually value your time in labor.

 

The 2012 fits like this. Must have divorced solenoid on winch

 

My point is that in reference to the market it is overpriced. If you can buy a full plate winch bumper for $750 then why would the market support a mounting bracket for $450? I have no idea if I could produce a cheaper option. As I stated, I would rather let someone else engineer the product and earn the resulting profit. I just don't have the time.

So my statement was that I am interested if it can be produced cheaper, otherwise the best option is a plate winch bumper. Which is why I responded to the OP in the first place: to voice my interest and what would make the product worth-while to me.

 

I realize its a sale, but...

http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=8678

you are right, i havent seen the product. im sure that it is a well designed and built product. once the design is done and a jig is made, making one or one hundred is no different. (yes, labor and material cost is understood)

 

Don't forget to add $100-$200 for powder coating on the price of the plate bumpers. The Undercover comes with a very good powder coating on it.

My point really is, if you try to make it yourself, you will no doubt use more materials than you need for trial and error. You will spend countless hours engineering it. You will need all of the proper equipment to fabricate the pieces and weld it all. Some folks may already have all of this equipment, so it's just a matter of engineering and R&D. Then consider the costs of building that jig that you would need if you did decide to mass produce them. Then decide if you want to make them for fun for everyone, or if you want to make a reasonable profit.

Try calling any machine shop/fabrication shop in America (or China if you don't mind that stuff), and see if you can buy 1 of them for the same price you can buy 100 of them for. I work with hundreds of machine shops, and also did estimating for them in my former life. I don't know any that can make 1 for the same price as 100.

For me, I don't compare the Undercover to a plate bumper. Even if they were the same price, I would get the Undercover. They're two different products. I didn't choose it because of the price, I chose it because of the look. I don't want a 125 lb. bumper just to hold my winch. I prefer the stock front end (till I tear it off on a rock of course )

The $499 bumper in the link looks like a very good bargain though for folks that would prefer a plate bumper. Not sure where it's made, but I can take a guess.....

 

Wow, I need to do some research on that bumper. Amazing price. /hijack

 

What ever came of this???

 

Nothing. I sent a PM to guy to see about using my truck for RD since I am local. Never heard back but he post that FJ product on CL from time to time. Decided if I cant even get a response to a PM then I can give someone else my business with better customer service.

 

Is this still looking like a teaser for a new product or any chance of it becoming a reality?

 

First off. I had my PM notifications off via email, not sure why, probably a fat finger. That is fixed now.

Second, I apologize I haven't been around but I had to have surgery to remove my Thyroid because of cancer. It was something unexpected of course and took quite some time to prep for. I still have some radiation to look forward to in a couple of weeks and another few weeks of recuperation. Then I get the privilege of doing it all again in 6 months.

Sometimes the assumption that you are being wronged isn't always correct.

Third. I'm trying to setup a small fab shop at my house so I can better deal with prototyping new products on the fly. Even in normal times I'm buried and short on time. This has been slow as my energy levels are at about 40% of normal right now.

Tacoma mounts are first on my list. I've had many requests for these and want to provide a good mount. First I have to get well, then prototype then we can look at production. All will take time in addition to holidays and the normal new year delays.

Local guys that can provide some R&D help will of course be critical to this and very much appreciated when the time comes.

 

Good idea, and something that will be considered.

 

dang it man..i hate cancer.

get well, focus on that. my coworker has the same thing. he did just fine with the entire thing (treatment)..didnt even miss that much work, just low energy. we quit pushing him. then he blew out both knees moving a dumpster..

 

Wow! so sorry man... thyroid issues are not fun. just having a low thyroid can leave you with no energy. Hope you get better man!