73-87 Pillar Pods

[andystaiger]

I am VERY interested in a triple as well..

[Captkaos]

Wednesday, December 26th, 2012:  There is going to be some fast updates on this, and I have been holding out, but I got these along with 10 other images on the day after Christmas...  This is the initial test sample 3D of the pillar pods..  I approved the rapid prototype on these that day.

[Captkaos]

Friday, January 4, 2013: I received an email from them stating the rapid prototype is completed.  So I went and picked it up.  I am going ask for a tweak on the rear portion but everything else looks good.  I will be testing it out on the trucks tomorrow...  If we get everything down, we should be in business, shooting for a triple, this is just the POC...


More to follow this weekend.

[bake74]

     Good to see some prototypes.  Hopefully they work out like you want them to.

[Captkaos]

Looks Good so far, more pics to come.

[Captkaos]

Here is the POC mounted with double side tape in my Suburban.  Then angle of the gauge needs to be positioned more toward the driver some, but looking for feedback for everyone.


Rear Opening POV



Drivers point of view:




Rear Opening POV



Closeup Front POV




Side POV




Above POC:




Underneath POV




Passengers point of view:

[Psycho71]

Question;

Originally, you were looking at something that replaced the factory pillar trim. Are you still looking to go that direction, or are we now looking at pods that attach to the factory pillar trim like the one in the pic?


Either way, I'm still in. Just curious?

Patiently tapping my my foot until a 2 or 3 gauge pod is ready!

As for feedback, I agree on angling the gauge just a bit more for a better viewing angle. Not a deal breaker the way it is, but since you're in the prototype phase.........

[gto109]

angle it a little more towards the driver and it would be perfect

[bake74]

angle it a little more towards the driver and it would be perfect

     I second that notion.  It seems like it is to much straight forward, down the door line in the pic's.  As you mentioned Capt., it needs a little bit of an agle toward driver.

[N2TRUX]

Chris what does it look like from your perspective?  I see what they are referring to regarding the angle, but that might just be the angle of the pic. I think your headed in the right direction. If you can adjust the issue we discussed I feel your getting close to production

[bd]

Here are some additional thoughts for the wishlist...

• The "finished" texture of the pods should match the "leather" texture used by the OEM on the plastic pillar trim.
  
  
• If the "production" pods adhere with double-sided tape, there should be a raised lip around the margins of the pod to compensate for the thickness of the tape, so the tape won't show and the pods appear to fit flush.
  
  
• I agree on tweaking the angle of the pods for enhanced viewing and aesthetics.
  
  
• The pod material should be opaque black to block all light leaking from the backs of the gauges.
  
  
• Subtly radius the edges and corners of the pods during production instead of leaving them square-cut, especially if the pods are 'leather textured.'
  

[Captkaos]

Sitting in the truck compared to my original, it needs to be angled so you don't see the "side" of the pod.  It needs to be turned about 10 degrees give or take.  I have had 10 people sit in it and only one said it needed more angle and I didn't lead them in any way.

It will be textured to match as close as possible
The two sided tape will be the same thin tape that other companies use, so it should be un-noticed, still panning this out.
The pod color will be Gray and can be painted/dyed with all the other plastic pieces.
You probably can't tell but there are no hard corners on it short of the one on the bottom and I plan to smooth it along with smoothing the one on the top...

Getting the whole thing done right now is still on the table, but it is going to be even more expensive than these will be as far as up front cost and customer pricing.


BTW, this is just a rapid prototype, so other than shape/size it is nothing like the final piece it is VERY thin.

[bd]

Another thought for the wishlist... offer separate accessory bosses that will seamlessly attach and blend with the pods for miniature LED warning/pilot lights.   

Chris, inasmuch as we've been starving for pillar pods for decades and no one else markets a pod for our trucks, you will control the market and dictate pricing.  Unless the sticker price is shockingly high (say >175% of comparable pods for newer trucks), these gauge pods are a one-time accessory purchase that becomes justifiable to consumers.  I don't think demand will be an issue once the pods are available, as long as you make them broadly known.  Unfortunately, being a niche market to begin with, the longer the delay, the fewer the sales as our trucks gradually fall out of use.

[Captkaos]

Rich, what do you mean as far as the Accesssory boss.  I was thinking the upper flat would be a good place to put a light...

I have been trying to get someone to make these for the past 10 years.  When I got this piece in my hand I was ecstatic.  I still have a list that I got from back then with 250 people on them...

[bd]

You're right!  The flat spot is so obvious, I looked right past it....  Time for a new prescription.   

I know you've been bustin a bun to get this into production!  We're all ecstatic to see them in the flesh!!  What I was trying to say is I sympathize with your frustration and the barriers you've encountered.  You must be on the verge of dancing.  I know I am!