2003.5 Custom Fog Light Kit

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woohoo! another michigander ! (hi) pdhaudio is oviously thrilled to see another person from grand rapids...
 
Good evening!

It's about 9:20PM, and I have spent that last couple hours owning up to a promise not to let you guys down!

Let's see where I should start first.

Regarding previous pictures in this thread that were linked to my website. I apologize, but they have been relocated/moved/deleted to make room for up-to-date pictures that are more applicable to the GENERATION II METAL product.

Secondly, I want to let you know that the following information is for the metal product.

Thirdly, during the entire "make it metal" process, I didn't exactly follow the tolerances (exact curveture) of what the FINAL plastic/metal product would be. BEWARE, MY paper/cardboard/plastic/digital and what was sent to the plastic fabricators is EXACTLY accurate and my metal prototype is not. Please do not complain as though the metal looks damn good, it does not fill all curves - hell, this was a prototype and I was getting used to the metal and fabrication. Again, this is NOT the final product. The final metal/plastic product will be EXACT.

Fourth, after removing the GEN I brackets, BTW - I'll sell for $15.00/each shipped (the brackets that is) I have five sets. We are going to discontinue this as the GEN II is so much more superior!

Fifth, if you don't take into the account the removal of the old brackets or digital pictures and documentation, the install proces (not including the wiring is literally *5 minutes* per side from unscrewing the bottom flap, popping out the cover, putting the entire assembly in with four screws and then screwing back the bottom flap.

Sixth, I was able to FLUSH MOUNT the fog light lens to the actual GEN II METAL assembly. It sits as far back (maybe have 1/4" more room) as possible. I would say for now we are going to stick to using these fog lights.

Seventh, no adjusting of the lights necessary. They are at PERFECT angle and are bright!

Eigth, the GEN II METAL KIT is really great! I personally would want to use plastic for the point of (professional laser cut, more durable, don't need to paint them, my labor would be a lot lower, parts would be a lot less, and I could offer these kits a hell of a lot cheaper than metal). Though, I can make the METAL KITS for $120.00 SHIPPED. These would be on a made to order basis.

Ninth, the local fabricator people don't seem to care about me, no calls, no nothing - so, * ANYONE OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP ME OUT IN THIS FABRICATION PROCESS WOULD BE GREATLY REWARDED AND SHARE IN THE INITAL PROFITS/MARKETING/PRODUCT/WHAT-HAVE-YA * * PLEASE PM ME FOR COMMUNICATIONS *

Tenth, the drum roll, and please let me know your thoughts, honestly...... Thanks for the patience...

7.jpg

- Brian
 
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Even though the price went up from 90 to 120, I think I'm still in......

I personally would like to see the real final product because as you said this is NOT the final product. It does look pretty good. I like the angle on view best. The light sits way back, very cool.
 
im definetly in on either the metal (if the final product fills the gaps) or preferably the plastic kit (when ever you find someone) but either way count me in.

BTW if we did go for the metal what would you think the estimated painting "cost" would be?
 
Price on metal went up due to cost of materials and for me to properly do it without breaking drill bits, burning out drills, or injury to myself I need to help fund some real tools to get the job done. Plastic is preferable. Final product - I'm not doing any more prototypes myself (as I have already proved it) unless it is plastic or someone wants metal kits then the first one I do for someone will be the "final".

Word.
 
Good morning everybody!

I am shooting to take some day pictures today - though it is quite overcast out, but I'll take em' and post em' laster this afternoon.

The kit is made for the fog lights we are using. Let me tell you - it has been a rollercoaster of a time getting where we are. I haven't found any good, center-mount driving lights. If I had, this is what we would prefer as well. We are using top quality glass/metal, no plastic lights.

Regarding "paint", if we do the metal (whether in-garage or finding a metal fabricator), we would probably just paint them Rustoleum flat black to keep costs down as it is a very durable paint. We'd probably put a light clear coat on them as well. Having somone powdercoat the kits usually costs a lot of money and we are trying to keep the costs down. If someone chooses to paint them, I'd suggest they do it themselves or find someone to do it - this is as of right now, my thoughts may change.

I am going to be revising the website regarding the two generations of products (hopefully sometime today) and document the metal kit contents and see if I can drive the price down any.

This weekend I might take a stab at doing another "metal" kit as I have enough materials left to do it. We'll see.

Again, I need help finding plastic or metal fabricators that are willing to take a full scale (life size) .jpg and/or Autocad file, and give me a price for the type of material, thickness, and cuts they would charge. If you know anybody - please let me know!

DaveB - if you are out there - how do you make your gauge rings? Maybe you could help me out with this!?!?

- Brian
 
I heard back from one of the fabricators. They are just being incompentant dicks. They are just too old of people to know how to take a .jpg, import it into their CAD program, raster it into a vector and output it to their CNC machine. Geez.

So, anyone out there know how to do the above so I can set the file to them or any other shop?

BTW - I'm going to order a sheet of plastic and take a stab doing this myself and see how good it looks (probably good enough for me, but you all - not too sure).

FYI - I just sent out "7" Emails to local metal fabricators/machine shops -- so we'll see what happens.

- Brian
 
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YEAH!

Found a local fabricator that actually understands what the heck I want to do and IS assisting me with the digital file formats and process to do this. NO PLASTIC. Metal, laser cut, paintable, mild steel. Awaiting on tomorrow morning to discuss pricing with them.

- Brian
 
looking good, still very interested here. Good job again.

when you take you pictures, can you take a day shot of the car front on ( able to see hood, both lights etc ) without the lights on. Just very curious to see what the entire front of the car looks like with these fogs on.
 
Great news!

I have precision .dxf files that I have sent to two metal fabricators. I should hear back from both tomorrow, one local, the other in California (thanks to a member on this board who works there). It seems like plastic is not the way to go, but 20 gauge mild steel. If things are going the way I think they are, then the kits should retail for $100.00 or less. Tomorrow I will assemble a preliminary list of what comes in this kit and realistic estimated price. What is going to be reflected is the cost of the fabrication in my pocket, shipping, and markup (including additional parts to make it complete). Today I was going to take day pics but didn't have the opportunity. Tomorrow, I will try. I'm shooting to have a local fabricator get me a set of these things by Friday so I can get moving on the final stuff, post to the web site, blah blah blah. I'll keep everyone posted!

- Brian
 
Ok i just want to get this straight and clear....

i have a MP3......i installed the 03.5 MSP lip..... hence taking out the OEM fogs........... my OEM fog's wire is still hanging there behind the lip.......

now if i get your kit....... does my wire just simply connect to your fogs and BAM it works?

On a sidenote........ i dont know if im being anal or what... but i dont really like the look of the pilot foglights themselves :( It would be great to have some PIAAs or HELLAs in there but i think the problem is that they dont have a model that comes in the 4" size........... so my other question is..... are the Pilot ones our ONLY choice for this kit? No other brand that has models that fit this kit?
 
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INiTiAL33 said:
Ok i just want to get this straight and clear....

i have a MP3......i installed the 03.5 MSP lip..... hence taking out the OEM fogs........... my OEM fog's wire is still hanging there behind the lip.......

now if i get your kit....... does my wire just simply connect to your fogs and BAM it works?


oh...good question... hmmmm
 
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