"Thank you sir, may we have another."
What an awesome flaming of our first release of the MetalCloak Frame-Built™ bumper system -- you can see the original post here: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/what-do-you-think-metalcloak-bumper-826969/
The multitude of posts on all the top jeep forums, not just this one, provided an incredible pool of blatant flames, incredible ideas, and interesting concepts for improving this product... thank you. :2thumbsup:
Thank you also for all of the compliments on our benchmark MetalCloak Arched Tube Fenders™. Anyone that read the flaming posts a few years ago relative to the first (alpha revision) release of the (then Rev111) Arched Tube Fenders would say that the bumper thread did not look near as bad "in comparison". :laugh: In the case of our Arched Tube Fenders we did our best to address most of the feedback, resulting in our flagship MetalCloak product line.
As I try to do a better job describing the Frame-Built™ bumper system as well as all the improvements added in the past couple months I will try to include as much of the feedback (flame and otherwise) associated with the revisions as possible. Let me start by showing the photograph on the original post. The rest of this thread will detail the changes and what we mean by Build Your Own Bumper!
This is the original picture and first glimpse the world had of our bumper.
----------------------
First, I would like to give kudos to the best flame we received.
Then there's the massive hoop configuration above.
It was painfully obvious that the hoop system and our introductory post was a poor attempt at best.
This is a Frame Built™ system meaning that we have a multitude of trail tested components that individually mount directly to the frame of the Jeep or, as a whole, will create a bumper tailored to the needs of the owner.
There are currently 5 hoop configurations going through R&D, with more to come. And as part of our ongoing development we are open to designing hoops (or other options) around sketches and ideas from you, the end user. BTW, if you're the first to present the idea, and assuming we implement it, we will give you the first production unit for free.
So lets look at the revisions made in the last couple months and hopefully collect some more great feedback!!!
The new MetalCloak Frame-Built Modular Bumper Options...
---------------
Our design philosophy at MetalCloak is to create products with unique and original looks with greater functionality. We refuse to build "me too" products. Therefore we have to take some risks on styling and features. In general when we hear comments like "that is definitely different" we know we are on the right track. We believe we are on the right track with this Frame Built™ Modular bumper system and we will just continue to listen to your feedback and continue to improve the product.
The space between the Warn Powerplant and the TJ grill
This feedback substantially improved the look, weight and price point of the unit. :thumbsup:
Just a couple of hoop options, with more including grill guards, to come.
http://www.metalcloak.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/2141.jpg[/IMG
Forward-Angle shackles.
[quote=QuickSilverCon] "The thing is way too wide"[/quote]
[quote=BoSoxGp] "i wouldn't buy the "removable wings", look like they would hang up on the approach."[/quote]
[quote=Andy M] "i would like to see a stubbier end cap...that one looks a little wide for me"[/quote]
This was already part of the original design, but we did not show our "Crawler Cap" cap in that first thread. Here is a look at a couple of few different cap options. There will be more to come based on customer requests.
[IMG]http://www.metalcloak.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/2122.jpg
The real purpose of this thread is to better explain that the Frame Built™ Modular bumper system allows for hundreds of configurations with new options being developed every week -- our modular bumper system will continue to evolves and improve based on your feedback.
So let us know what you want, what you desire, and if it makes sense we will add the option.
Recent suggestions we are developing include license plate bracket, new fairleads, hi-lift mounts, light mounts (recesses), grill/hood guard, steering box skid plate, end caps for stock fenders, recovery hooks, marker lights and more!
Finally … and possibly most importantly
Here are just some of the builds we've already shipped to customers across the country.
With our 20% sale, these pre-configured builds range in price from $200 for the Stealth to $600 for Ezzy's Build.
What's your build? Maybe your bumper will be our next pre-configured offering!
For a full list of our current builds and to BUILD YOUR OWN BUMPER, go to:
MetalCloak TJ/LJ/YJ Frame Built(TM) Modular Bumpers
-------------------
At MetalCloak we strive to create American-made uniquely styled products, with more features, improved functionality and at a reasonable price. With every new release, we strive to hit the mark on all our goals, but that's not always the case. But, over time, we will listen to you and make the improvements necessary to hit the target! Thank you for your review and we look forward to your continued flames, uh, feedback. :2thumbsup:
Doug
"jeepineer"
MetalCloak Engineer
What an awesome flaming of our first release of the MetalCloak Frame-Built™ bumper system -- you can see the original post here: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/what-do-you-think-metalcloak-bumper-826969/
The multitude of posts on all the top jeep forums, not just this one, provided an incredible pool of blatant flames, incredible ideas, and interesting concepts for improving this product... thank you. :2thumbsup:
Thank you also for all of the compliments on our benchmark MetalCloak Arched Tube Fenders™. Anyone that read the flaming posts a few years ago relative to the first (alpha revision) release of the (then Rev111) Arched Tube Fenders would say that the bumper thread did not look near as bad "in comparison". :laugh: In the case of our Arched Tube Fenders we did our best to address most of the feedback, resulting in our flagship MetalCloak product line.
As I try to do a better job describing the Frame-Built™ bumper system as well as all the improvements added in the past couple months I will try to include as much of the feedback (flame and otherwise) associated with the revisions as possible. Let me start by showing the photograph on the original post. The rest of this thread will detail the changes and what we mean by Build Your Own Bumper!
This is the original picture and first glimpse the world had of our bumper.
----------------------
First, I would like to give kudos to the best flame we received.
Very deserving, and as you will see throughout this thread, we took your comments to heart changing the official names of our bumper "wings" to uh... Caps - Stubbie Caps, MINI Caps, Crawler Caps... etc.BossBuilt said:
Then there's the massive hoop configuration above.
Lumpster said:
QuickSilverCon said:
BoSoxGp said:
mg2000xj said:
willy05TJ said:
cartwrigth27 said:
and many more...Why J? said:
It was painfully obvious that the hoop system and our introductory post was a poor attempt at best.
This is a Frame Built™ system meaning that we have a multitude of trail tested components that individually mount directly to the frame of the Jeep or, as a whole, will create a bumper tailored to the needs of the owner.
There are currently 5 hoop configurations going through R&D, with more to come. And as part of our ongoing development we are open to designing hoops (or other options) around sketches and ideas from you, the end user. BTW, if you're the first to present the idea, and assuming we implement it, we will give you the first production unit for free.
So lets look at the revisions made in the last couple months and hopefully collect some more great feedback!!!
The new MetalCloak Frame-Built Modular Bumper Options...
---------------
Our design philosophy at MetalCloak is to create products with unique and original looks with greater functionality. We refuse to build "me too" products. Therefore we have to take some risks on styling and features. In general when we hear comments like "that is definitely different" we know we are on the right track. We believe we are on the right track with this Frame Built™ Modular bumper system and we will just continue to listen to your feedback and continue to improve the product.
Done... the new model will fit either a TJ/LJ or a YJ and the base is available in both Hot Rolled Steel or Stainless Steel. Here a similar build (stainless steel base) is shown on both rigs, using basically the same components:Srooney said:
Slope said:
Great suggestions!!!! We moved the front of the main base plate all the way back to the frame and moved the fairlead mounts to the front/top angle of the bumper. Yet we still kept 1 ¾" of clearance between the winch and the air intake of the front grill.NikVallens said:
The space between the Warn Powerplant and the TJ grill
This feedback substantially improved the look, weight and price point of the unit. :thumbsup:
Matsky said:
Done! All our current and future hoop configurations allow for the use of a stock sway bar on the TJ and will not interfere with stock fenders.WillyNilly said:
Just a couple of hoop options, with more including grill guards, to come.
This is a good time to mention that many have suggested that we physically tie our fenders to our bumper system. But, as a matter of engineering, we are not prone to do that since our fenders are secured to the body and the bumper is secured to the frame. The movement/flex that occurs between the body and the frame during off-road experiences would wreak havok and destroy any "tie" between the body and frame.Why J? said:
Great point... the answer is yes there is plenty of room to use your hi-lift on the upper shackles. However, if one still wants a lower recovery point we've added a shackle mount component at the forward angle of the base plate.Rubicon1000 said:
http://www.metalcloak.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/2141.jpg[/IMG
Forward-Angle shackles.
[quote=QuickSilverCon] "The thing is way too wide"[/quote]
[quote=BoSoxGp] "i wouldn't buy the "removable wings", look like they would hang up on the approach."[/quote]
[quote=Andy M] "i would like to see a stubbier end cap...that one looks a little wide for me"[/quote]
This was already part of the original design, but we did not show our "Crawler Cap" cap in that first thread. Here is a look at a couple of few different cap options. There will be more to come based on customer requests.
[IMG]http://www.metalcloak.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/2122.jpg
The real purpose of this thread is to better explain that the Frame Built™ Modular bumper system allows for hundreds of configurations with new options being developed every week -- our modular bumper system will continue to evolves and improve based on your feedback.
So let us know what you want, what you desire, and if it makes sense we will add the option.
Recent suggestions we are developing include license plate bracket, new fairleads, hi-lift mounts, light mounts (recesses), grill/hood guard, steering box skid plate, end caps for stock fenders, recovery hooks, marker lights and more!
Finally … and possibly most importantly
rubicon1000 said:
BoSoxGp said:
Quicksilver said:
Cartwrigth27 said:
NikVallens said:
Hughes16 said:
stwilson74 said:
Okay, we got it... Thanks! We recognize that we missed the mark on price. :doh: The recent revisions presented here, thanks to your feedback, have substantially reduced the overall production cost of the system. These reductions in cost translate into a substantial reduction in the price of your build.DJ404564X4 said:
Here are just some of the builds we've already shipped to customers across the country.
With our 20% sale, these pre-configured builds range in price from $200 for the Stealth to $600 for Ezzy's Build.
What's your build? Maybe your bumper will be our next pre-configured offering!
For a full list of our current builds and to BUILD YOUR OWN BUMPER, go to:
MetalCloak TJ/LJ/YJ Frame Built(TM) Modular Bumpers
-------------------
At MetalCloak we strive to create American-made uniquely styled products, with more features, improved functionality and at a reasonable price. With every new release, we strive to hit the mark on all our goals, but that's not always the case. But, over time, we will listen to you and make the improvements necessary to hit the target! Thank you for your review and we look forward to your continued flames, uh, feedback. :2thumbsup:
Doug
"jeepineer"
MetalCloak Engineer