Replacement Cladding and Headlights.

[magellan]

Guys

After a bit of thinking i have decided to make new cladding, headlights and side mirrors as parts are so hard to source and getting harder.

I have nearly finished making fibreglass moulds of the cladding, and will soon send a headlight to China to have samples made.

I am curious if anybody else here would be interested in any of these items.

The cladding will be made in black, not grey and will be 2mm thicker than the original and the headlights will be made identical with polycarbonate or Lexcen lenses, depending on cost differences

The guys i will be using make components for our fishing vessels and do good quality work. They will not be turned out at a rock bottom price.

If the samples look OK and the quality is up to standard, to make it cost effective i will have to do a run of 50 of each.

This goes for headlights as well. I am tempted to change the inner of the headlight to a larger light, any ideas are appreciated.

But the reason for the thread is to gauge interest. If i make these parts, who would take them so they are cost effective to make ?

[vt_maverick]

I think you need to quantify the price range we're talking about. $300-400 for the front bumper and you probably have solid interest. $800-1000 and I think people will keep searching junkyards.

One question I have is whether your molds will be able to replicate the subtle texture of the OEM cladding. There's an aftermarket company that makes replacement front bumper cladding but it has a different texture, which means it reflects light differently than the other pieces of cladding and is a giveaway that the VX was in an accident. If your replica pieces will look substantially different than the OEM pieces (texture, darkness, fade properties) then I think you'll have very few takers because a lot of us would see it as requiring a whole vehicle purchase to look right. Also will the stock Torx bolts still work with the extra 2mm of thickness? It may also cause the cladding to mount in a marked offset from the actual body which might look strange.

[PK]

Depending on price, I would be interested.

With the headlights, be aware that the US version headlights angle to the opposite side of the road, so if your supplier was to copy the JDM headlight, it should not be used in the USA.

It would be easy for the supplier to produce both, but that adds to your stock list.

PK

[vt_maverick]

Geez I didn't even notice your location before. Regardless of your price it might be cost prohibitive just on the basis of shipping costs.

[magellan]

I think you need to quantify the price range we're talking about.

When i see the quality and i know the manufacturing costs i will have a better idea of the end price. As long as i can cover costs and shipping i would be happy. Going on what i know so far i would venture a guess that i can do a whole set for around $1200 AUD but that's only a rough estimate at this point in time.

One question I have is whether your molds will be able to replicate the subtle texture of the OEM cladding.

I doubt it will be identical in texture and also the colour will be black, not grey and UV stabilized, i don't get any fade issues with winch and hatch covers at sea and they are really exposed to the elements 24/7.

Also will the stock Torx bolts still work with the extra 2mm of thickness? It may also cause the cladding to mount in a marked offset from the actual body which might look strange.

Should do, as the thickness will be through the body of each piece. On my VX i have noticed a mm or two to play with at the joins and i would be confident there will not be any fitting issues. I also have to get this made to Australian design rules so i can fit it to use on the road, so i am not cutting corners.

[magellan]

Geez I didn't even notice your location before. Regardless of your price it might be cost prohibitive just on the basis of shipping costs.

Not really, i ship seafood to the US 3 times a week by air - i don't pay retail for freight.

[vt_maverick]

Sounds like you've got it all figured out, $1080 at current exchange rate plus a reasonable shipping charge wouldn't be bad at all for a full set. Please keep me posted!

Oh and when you said "not grey and UV stabilized" you mean your pieces would be black and would be UV stabilized right? I'm pretty sure the stock pieces have no UV stabilization of any kind.

[magellan]

So both sets of cladding has arrived - the black shows up every scuff and bit of dust there is, but the grey looks awesome, i'll post better pics tomorrow

[LittleBeast]

Awesome work! Cannot wait to see more pictures. I would like to see the black.

[Lfen]

X2 - Looks awesome !

[JoFotoz]

X3...

Good on ya mate!

Jo

[mrlarrys]

Im very interested in new headlights - mine have small cracks in the plastic - and the price for the headlights

[UWanna]

I'd be interested in cladding and headlight.

[magellan]

Guys here are some better pics of the cladding in the daylight. There is also a close up of the texture as well. With regards to the headlights, it's my understanding that JDM headlights will fit to non JDM VX's and they can be adjusted to suit what side of the road you drive on. Can anyone else confirm this ? I am not doing the mirrors at present, maybe later on down the track i might.

The headlights will be here in late June and the lenses are made of Lexcen. I am trying to source an LED light for them as well. If anyone has fitted LEDs can you let me know it would speed up the process

If anybody wants pieces please let me know. It would be better to do one manufacturing run of the same colour, ie. all grey not a mix of two or it then gets too hard as they can just mix up one batch and do a run. The type of pieces that are made are not a problem so we can mix and match, sides and rear ends etc, it doesn't have to be a full vehicle set per order. All shipping will be done ex China and NOT from Australia and that will keep your shipping costs down.

[Ang]

Definitely have interest in the headlights. The cladding is awesome and looks great, however I am not in need. I would likely order it from you before junkyarding for one if you had extras, and I did something to my cladding.