Fronty Mods / Market research discussion

[MrWolf]

I'd love someone to make replacement bullbars for the A. Mine has gone rusty (to the point where I found holes in the metal when I peeled of the paint) and I think most on ebay/breakers would be in similar or worse condition. I think this is a really good idea

Regards Smiffy! Integrating bumper and bullbars into one.

Or is there already someone making them?

[drinksoptional]

1. Tank guards they are becoming hard to find at a fair price an are not rusted.
2.Light bars there is a big want for these i made my own like many but there is some who would not know where to start i still feel indvidual style is way to go.
3.Light guards. Front an rear i have a nice set of rear one an priced a set of bumper one at 28 quid , front light guards im after bit like the freelander ones but metal..
4. Drift was onto something with the rad guard he made recently think the mu has one.
5.The parcel shelf had a bit of intrest from many including myself.
6.Roof rails an roof bars big topic on here .
7. recovery points aye handy.
8. Tool for rear bearings dont think there is one up here bearinator something i think you called it.
9.Not everybody goes offroading ( odd people lol) so side steps mine are getting bit soft on the step bit i looking to replace that part an i know some would like leds/light on theirs someone could make up a light bar thingy to fit on to side steps..
10.A boot tidy is a good idea weight is an issue an practical some will use for tools but still want their shopping to fit in aswell.
11.switch kits for roof lights n fog n spots or whatever a switch box i dont know throwing in ideas.
12 Mounts for cb`s etc map lights

[MG Autos (Mark)]

[Kevin1964]

I found this today as an example of mods on the fronties...in this case an MU

[gregster]

Just letting everyone know that I will tidy this thread up later on so its more concise...nothing personal anyone, just will make easier reading for everyone

All done now...

[2much]

i have fabricated some quick release ARB disconnects - variable length and quick release both ends - i havent tried these in anger as yet (and bits were sourced from work which would be out of order for production run!!) and dont think they need the release at both ends so would be cheaper in future, once i have proved or disproved these (the ball ends arent strong enough at present to use when hard off roading but fine for road) i will pass on the details to ya mark if you want to produce something like this - i can give parts details to everyone if required and they can make their own but cost of small amount of ball joint ends is quite high unless buying large numbers - this is where mg autos comes in!!! and is obviously your job...the other thing would be that with these fitted and longer shox the flex available means springs will disclotae easily, these can be clamped ala drift but really need clamping at top and cones at axle end - again i'm working on this using lads at work! maybe if design is simple enough we could get these knocked up in bilk somewhere???
also had my front diff brackets modded for 1" drop (still to be fitted) i was thinking that if i/we bought a used set of brackets for all models then they could be modded and offered fairly cheaply on a refirbished basis to order(?)
i wouldnt have thought extended axle breathers would be worth while as any old tube and some cable ties pretty much covers this

as bad boy says there are lots of suppliers we have all used out there and some with various discounts my suggestion would be to come up with a standard set of modified kits (from mild to wild) that could be offered as a reasonable rate if mark could bulk buy and so bring in a whole package at a reasonable rate - maybe even if a few of us in each region could commit to providing a fitting service for any kit purchased from MG autos at a sensible rate????
the most successful 4x4 co's seem to operate this business model (and make more money - think Indy 4x4) as the customer normally wants a one stop shop for mods especially the newbie variety.

alternatively a FOG only catalogue on the forum which lists what we consider the best kit for each level of mod required along with links to members who supply these direct but we aren't far off from that i think.

personally i think that snorkels (good looking, easy to fit and less than £100) would be the ideal item to close a huge gap, everything else can be sourced from our combined knowledge but this would reduce the number/need for drain pipe jobbies and as they have a certain pose value i think there are probably more customers out there than we realise - i've been trying to get a pattern maker mate to knock something up for mould etc but we'd need to source an injection moulding company that would produce these in low numbers.

not sure what the plan is for mg autos/greg/forum but maybe at next meet we could have a chat about an approach, i'm willing to help however i can...

for my own part i still havent posted anything about the Frog in readers rides etc as until i get the set up how i want it (if ever!!!) so i can then share what i think works for me.

re: Poland snorkel not use if this would fit the larger wheel arch bulges on a swb very easily but may be wrong...

ramble over

[fogman]

will there be a dedicated section specifically for modified part suppliers and or manufacturers ?

[bobbinsjob]

its something to look into

[fogman]

it would be so much easier for new forum members especially if pictures of products were added

[Drift]

Something to consider when the time comes

[MG Autos (Mark)]

Right Guy's & Girls, sorry I havn't had much of a chance to update this recently and thank you to everyone who's contributed so far hopefully we can now start to move forward with some of the idea's.

So far I think the main items that people would like to see in production are:

1. Heavy Duty & Winch Bumpers
2. Rock Sliders
3. Diff Guards
4. Sump / Belly plates for the B series
5. Safari Style Roof racks, possibly somthing strong enough to take a roof tent?
6. Boot Storage
7. Wheel Spacers
8. Diff Breathers
9. Body lift spacers
10. Suspension Spacers
11. Snorkel
12. Tublar Manifolds
13. New Fuel tank guards for the A Series
14. Quick release A.R.B's
15. Safari Style Bonnet light pod

If I've missed anything please let me know as the intention is to use this list to start another thread where Forum members can vote so we can guage exactly what interest there is in each individual product and work out what's viable and what's not ?

Now whilst myself and a few other members will be making parts for sale commercially so Yes, there will obviously be some small profit involved for those who produce which I think is only fair, this is predominantly about making parts available for Frontera owners that you may not otherwise be able to find. After all, why should Landy owners get all the good bits
If you've got an idea for a part that would be usefull to members or better still have the ability to actually put it into production, then please, don't loiter behind your computer screen, step forward, make yourself known so to speak and let's see if we can't all work together to put a range of these items into production for everyone's benefit.

[fogman]

im not saying manufacture this is probably a supply item only - recovery shackles, most newbies like myself wouldnt have a clue as to what to purchase or have much more of an idea as to look for them !
so what im thinking is say if mark at mg autos for example could supply shackles for front and or rear for an a or b [if theres a difference cos i dont know] via his in house sales all a member would have to do is scan the "suppliers list section" then send a pm rather than trawling the net & probably buying the wrong sized/strength shackles
ditto for towing stropes/ropes

[MG Autos (Mark)]

[fogman]

originally i was thinking about an appropraitely sized bow shackle to attach to the original recovery points but theres probably a need for additional recovery points

[PixelMonkey]

Seriously interested in bonnet pod and defo sills.

[Frontycustoms]

Make the plug/mould for the bonnet pod n i'll ask my bro in-law to fibreglass one as he is the tech rep for Akzo Nobel

[BUMPTJ]

Someone mentioned electric fan conversions. If Someone could give me fan measurements and wether you want it to be push or pull I should be able to come up with a hopefully competitve kit price including the thermostatic trigger.

[Krusher]

I have asked about a dropper plate or something that can get round the need for getting a longer panyard rod when lifting more than 2". Will see
if something could be designed simply and easy to fab up.......

[Kevin1964]

[Retro Pedro]

I've got another suggestion - easy access locking plates that would fit across the centre of our wheels, a bit like a reduced size wheel clamps, that would stop the thieving pikey bar-stewards nicking bits off our motors.