If I'm understanding you correctly, you're talking about an accessory mount that spans A Pillar to A Pillar. I think that's a sweet idea. I can do a mixture of slotted rails for mounting CBs, radar detector, dash cam, and other equipment and picatinny, like what's on the dash, to give you the option of mounting your equipment in either location. I love it! Keep the ideas coming.
I can definitely see that. If that panel is inset just a little bit. Say the thickness of a Rotopax, you can mount both in that location and really only protrude beyond the side of the vehicle the thickness of the MaxTrax. Slight downside is the interior space you'd lose to the panel shape that accommodates the Rotopax, so a trade off.
Thats exactly what was meant. I'd like to see those panels for the mic top too
I hear what you're saying. Valid points. If you never plan to seriously off road, this probably isn't for you. On the other side of the coin, why tote around hundreds and hundreds of pounds of steel weight as underbody protection, if you dont have to? It's absolutely not a necessity to have, but neither is 90% of everything we add to vehicles.
Ok, I get that and appreciate that - lightweight and wont break.I hear what you're saying. Valid points. If you never plan to seriously off road, this probably isn't for you. On the other side of the coin, why tote around hundreds and hundreds of pounds of steel weight as underbody protection, if you dont have to? It's absolutely not a necessity to have, but neither is 90% of everything we add to vehicles.
Thermally bonded carbon is ultra durable, resists deformation, it will slide over rocks and stumps, if you do end up bashing against a boulder it'll scratch it but won't dent it. Aluminum will dent and deform. And every time it does, it gets weaker. Steel... you just make it thicker and it will weigh even more. In my younger days, I mechanic'd on heavy equipment. I know all about dropping heavy belly pans on equipment. Who wants to drop 200 lb skid plates when it comes time for maintenance when a 15 lb skid plate does the same job better? With the incorporation of Delignit, even those high contact, heavy wear areas will last longer due to being able to replace the small wear skids in those areas.
This material is becoming huge in UTVs and trail rigs. I've also been approached by JK and JL owners to build body protection panels out of this composite. It's lighter, more durable, and looks better (subjectively) than the typical tread plate that's on the market now.
It's 2021, I know my Bronco will eventually have composite skids. My Raptor will have composite skids. I'm already flat bottoming my GT350 with the same material, but much thinner. It's definitely not the least expensive of all the solutions, but it's by far the best. Did you read where I stated it was developed to mitigate IED explosions on military vehicles and protect the crew compartment? Below are pics of a .40" thick piece. That piece of composite weighs 4 oz. I put three rounds of 115 gr 9mm into it at point blank. No shattering, no sprawling, no penetration. It's amazing stuff. You can literally beat it with a sledge hammer until you wore yourself out. It'll be there, waiting for you to come back when you're ready. It's just a superior material.
As someone posted in a different thread on what to make available in the aftermarket. The big time parts (rails, bash plates, etc.) Is awesome, but also sounds expensive. The little stuff (a picatinny rail solution
) would probably be big business & high margin. My 2¢. Watching for what comes.
