Interest Check: Rear Trunk Lid, Billet Hinge

[Mechie3]

I got quotes back from the shops and have worked out pricing. Unfortunately the hinge base is a multi-setup part so the cost is higher than the flat plates (as expected) but drops significantly at quantities of 10 pairs. Kit would include all hardware needed, two bases (LH and RH versions), a straight drop arm (x2), and a curved arm (x2). Pieces aren't available yet, I still need to finish up the prototypes and deliver them to the product testers to ensure they work. This replaces the steel FFR arm and the OEM hood hinge that FFR has you cut up and reuse on the trunk. If you have the rear brace from me, these clear that brace.

Cost: With 5 orders, cost is $275. With 10 orders, cost is $215. 15 orders cost drops to $200 (not as much savings in part cost between 10 and 15 as there was between 5 and 10) Due to the high cost of ordering all the parts, this will be setup as a group buy with 50% due when order is placed with the shop to ensure I don't get stuck with a few thousand dollars worth of parts on a shelf.

Recent photos of the v3 prototypes:

http://i.imgur.com/rfO2RaF.jpg

V2 on left, V3 on right (thinned up to save weight)
http://i.imgur.com/gvQxl0O.jpg

V3 base in front, V2 base on back (altered to give more clearance with engine cover)
http://i.imgur.com/z5l77X9.jpg



Older photos showing rev 1 and rev 2 (gives a better idea of assembly)
http://i.imgur.com/KIahX3o.jpg

Bottom photo (top is the rev 1 proto), curved arm not shown.
http://i.imgur.com/BkvjahS.jpg

Assembly on the left (right is the rev 1 proto all hacked up)
http://i.imgur.com/HHpu6yA.jpg

[Silvertop]

If you can get a least 10 buyers, I'm in............. Just let me know when to pay.

[metros]

I'm in as well. With as happy as I've been with all the other zdm parts, I can't imagine you'll have trouble finding that many interested builders.

[rori]

I'm in at 10 orders also

[bbjones121]

i am in

[ninjanick]

I'd like a set

[gwarden]

I would like one of these would even pay the lower price to be a beta tester

[tmoretta]

How about a hinge system for the engine cover?

[brian b 36]

im in on ten to

[STiPWRD]

Count me in

[Ethan818]

you can count me in for a set as well.

[Mechie3]

Well, that's nine. Close enough to 10 for me. I'll have to get on finishing the protos. Home sick today so I'm behind again. Doh!

[Frank818]

10 here!

[07FIREBLADE]

I would be so in for these if I knew that they would be compatible with the hardtop. Unfortunately until that's confirmed I'm going to have to pass for the moment.

[bbjones121]

I would be so in for these if I knew that they would be compatible with the hardtop. Unfortunately until that's confirmed I'm going to have to pass for the moment.

Probably not. I plan to have both convertible and hard top. I anticipate both will have their own special brackets if we are lucky to have options from mechie for the hardtop version. ;)

[svanlare]

I'll help get to the 15 part order level then. I'm in.

[NorCal Ray]

Count me in for a great looking hinge!

[Speedy G]

I'm in as well.

I'd also be in for engine cover hinges, and hood hinges if you were to make them.

[65 Cobra Dude]

I'm in!

Henry

[Silvertop]

I'm in as well.

I'd also be in for engine cover hinges, and hood hinges if you were to make them.

I'm already in for the trunk hinges -- but I think I'd pop for these as well if they were available.

[Frank818]

Trunk, engine and hood, plz. :)

[svanlare]

Definitely in for a hood hinge ...

[Hendow]

Hey Craig,

Before you sell out... Count me in too!!

+1 on the engine cover hinge!!

[Mechie3]

Lol, engine cover and hood hinges don't exist yet, just trunk hinges. Need to find some CNC time to finish up all my backlogged projects.

[svanlare]

I knew that, just wanted to vote on the backlog :-)

[Frank818]

Lol, engine cover and hood hinges don't exist yet, just trunk hinges.

Yet. :)
Plz keep on the to-do list for some day, hopefully in 2015... hopefully.

[Mechie3]

3 hours in the shop after work and you end up with this:

http://i.imgur.com/ZBwBD4X.jpg

[RM1SepEx]

Those look exactly like the set that I have... :rolleyes:

[gwarden]

Nice work would look good in my trunk

[Mechie3]

Test piece to go with the bases. New design saves another 1/8lb per side (1/4 lb total).

http://i.imgur.com/Mr8dp6i.jpg

[bbjones121]

When will you need deposits?

[Mechie3]

After the product testers confirm fitment and I'm ready to place an order with the shop.

[Mechie3]

One of the product testers had a successful test fit and sent me some photos. I placed an order for the bases two (three?) weeks ago. I'll get the latest set of curved arms quoted and then get them on order as well.

http://i.imgur.com/ItuD8UT.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/s7TPurL.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2aUFyGN.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QlYpTSJ.jpg

[metros]

Looks good! Sign me up!

[Quiny]

I was one of the testers, they fit so much better than the using the stock hood hinges. The panel lifts smooth and even not wobbly like the stock hinges . I even got a "that looks cool" from the wife.

[bbjones121]

Looks awesome. Can't wait.

[Frank818]

Looks pretty good!!!
They bolt on through the 2 small oval/elliptical holes (eyelets) close to the FFR bolts on the shock tower brace?

[Mechie3]

It bolts in the same location as the FFR parts on both the trunk and the cross brace.

[Mechie3]

Wondering who is still in for these. I got the quote back from the laser cutting shop and can go ahead and order all the parts now.

[EODTech87]

I'd love to get a set but $215 is pretty steep for my blood right now.

[bbjones121]

I am in still

[Mechie3]

That's the downfall of assemblies with lots of aluminum parts. Prices go up quickly.

[FFRSpec72]

That's the downfall of assemblies with lots of aluminum parts. Prices go up quickly.

Just bite the bullet and get a home CNC machine and a home aluminum foundry.

[STiPWRD]

Just bite the bullet and get a home CNC machine and a home aluminum foundry.

^^ This

I could swing $200. I'm assuming you had them quoted at multiple shops?

[Mechie3]

I have a home CNC...just haven't had time to clean it up and get it running between autocross, a baby, and trying to build a car. lol.

Quoted at multiple shops. The two shops I use are typically much lower than other places. A few other places told me they couldn't even touch the parts for what I was paying. If I could guarantee 15 sets I could do $185. I ordered 20 sets of the bases a while ago and pricing on those dropped a little more.

[drdracing]

Put me down for a set. Rick

[ninjanick]

I'm still interested

[svanlare]

You can count me in

[Mechie3]

Placed an order this AM for the laser cut pieces. The one milled piece order was placed a month ago, but that shop is slow. I put up with it though, because other shops charge me 2x what this guy does.

Order is placed for 20 complete sets. Price will be $185.

[coloskydiver]

Are these hinges something that can be added at a later time or do they need to go on when the body is installed. Trying to plan. Thank you

[Mechie3]

They should be able to go on at any time. Nothing gets modified to install these.

[metros]

I'm still in for a set.

Are you planning on doing the engine cover in a comparable part? I like things that match. Wondering if you still plan to or not because another has been offered.

[Mechie3]

No plans to offer a set at the moment. I had some sketches but nothing further and now that Mike has some I'm going to focus on the front hood hinge. I already have a design thought out and some sketches. Need to find time to prototype that, proto one last AWIC bracket, and finish the carbon side scoops.

[bbjones121]

Can't wait for the carbon scoops!

[Speedy G]

I'm still in, and count me in for the hood hinge. Any clue from the pics that have been posted if Mike's hinge will fit with yours in place?

[Mechie3]

Mikes hinge should work alongside mine. My hinge for the trunk fits in the factory location more or less. Mikes engine cover hinge sits more inboard centered on the humps.

[bbjones121]

Your radiator mount, turbo heat shield and oil fill neck and cap showed up today. Thanks for the extremely fast shipping! The parts look amazing!! please let me know when I can order this hinge.

[Mechie3]

Got all of the laser cut parts from the shop. Just waiting on the cnc milled bases now.

[Mechie3]

Still waiting on the bases. The shop is avoiding my calls/texts/facebook messages. Sorry for the delays.

I still owe two free sets to two people who were the first to buy my rear fender brace too. I have these parts, just need to figure out who these two people are.

[wleehendrick]

I still owe two free sets to two people who were the first to buy my rear fender brace too. I have these parts, just need to figure out who these two people are.

Was I one? I bought your brace and remember you mentioning offering a hing due to the interference issue. It's quite generous of you, if that's the case!

[Mechie3]

I dunno, you could be. lol. I'm good at making stuff. Record keeping? Not so much. That's why I spend an entire weekend at tax time going through a stack of receipts.

As long as you bought one before I announced the potential interference then you get one. There were three people. Quiny got his, two are left.

[wleehendrick]

I'm good at making stuff. Record keeping? Not so much. That's why I spend an entire weekend at tax time going through a stack of receipts.

Sounds like you need to hire your wife as CFO of Zero Decibel!


As long as you bought one before I announced the potential interference then you get one. There were three people. Quiny got his, two are left.

I bought mine on 8/8/14 and the first mention of the interference I see on 9/2/14 in your thread. Do I score? :p

[Mechie3]

Winner winner chicken dinner! (or billet hinges...either one).

[wleehendrick]

Winner winner chicken dinner! (or billet hinges...either one).
http://cdn.meme.am/instances/400x/60667256.jpg

Yes... But I'll take the hinges!

[svanlare]

you taking cash yet from the rest of us on these?

[Mechie3]

No. I have no ETA on the bases and don't want to be bring onto money if I can't deliver. I sold enough other parts to cover the cost of the components already in hand so I'm good there minus having $1k+ in parts that are no good without a base. I'm going to make some calls tomorrow that may help me leverage the situation.

[Mechie3]

So...some good news. I think.

I heard back from the shop owner (probably because I facebook messaged his wife asking her to have him contact me, lol). He moved all of his CNC's to a new composites shop to have shared shop space. They were supposed to be hooking his stuff up and haven't yet (after 3 months). He ended up having to send the parts to another shop which is one reason for the delay (honestly, I'm fine with that...just tell me, don't ignore! :mad: )

Supposedly parts will be available the beginning of this coming week. I'm out of town until the 23rd but should have parts around/after memorial day.

:D

[sponaugle]

Oh.. I missed this. I am in as well if there is still a set left!

Jeff

[Mechie3]

I think I ordered 20 sets.

[brian b 36]

im in on a set

[65 Cobra Dude]

I'm still in Craig.

Thx,

Henry

[svanlare]

I'm still in, let us know when to hit paypal

[bbjones121]

Same

[Speedy G]

I'm still in. Let us know if you have any news.

[Mechie3]

I texted him yesterday evening with no response. I'll ping him again today.

[jdhearn]

Still doing the hinges? I'm Just getting there and the stock ones look horrible and are binding!

Thanks