<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> DOR has been in the bumper business for a long time?! I don't believe Joe's looking to reinvent the wheel here, just merely adapt the DOR design to yet another application and asking for input as to which application we'd like to see next.



well most of this has been hashed out before, but the quick answers:
1. isuzu's all come with factory skids that seems to hold up to a fair amount of abuse. DOR at one time did explore this route and had a prototype, but IIRC interest faded away.
2. why t-bars? again the stock are sufficient most people. I'm not sure what you'd be looking for from an aftermarket t-bar. it certainly won't give you more lift.
3. just about everybody has cone filter kits nowadays. no heat shields, but again, i'm not sure theres much demand for this pseudo performance type mod.

-Rob

And the bumpers being discussed are generally not available elsewhere...sure Calmini lists a 2nd gen Trooper rear bumper, but for some unfathomable reason they are unwilling to make any.

rear 2nd gen bumpers needed.

Joe, this is very unfortunate for me, because I really need those items. There are cone filters around, but no one with a heat shild. It's bad to have unusual demands.

Regards

mine are bent and I'd like stronger ones.



I am looking for stiffer ones. I feel my Rodeo pretty well and I can tell you that it's front is very soft. On the same bumps, my Mazda car (bone stock) is 3 times stiffer.



yes, no heat shields.

Just wanted to make it clear that I wasn't being literal with my worth comment. Didn't mean to offend anyone with the value of their trucks as I know for myself personally and others, they are priceless (well, almost, I'll entertain a nice offer <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> ).

I see where some people are coming from with the 1st gen owners having their rigs paid off and now having money to spend on more expensive mods, but what I've gotten from the board is the majority of those building bumpers for themselves are 1st gen owners.

My whole point with my 'essay' was simply to say, the Isuzu community has been notorious cheapskates as far as all aftermarket parts offered to them. Not saying everyone, but as a majority, people are looking for the cheapest way to do things even if it isn't the prettiest/best. With that in mind, it's my opinion that the newer vehicles owners would be more willing to spend the money on a bumper. And that the newer vehicles will have a more lasting market as more and more of the 1st gens end up in the junkyard. This becomes a whole different case with other mods though so don't read into it too much <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

:edit: and it looks like this little poll might be proving me wrong so maybe i should keep my mouth closed <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

There are a lot of 2nd gens that are paid off too...at least for Troopers, 2nd gen starts in 1992.

I was simply responding to this...

The capitalistic system is working perfectly in this case. Very few people seem to want or need a heatshield, so there is no incentive for someone to develop one. Development takes lots of money and time. If the developer only anticipates selling a couple of items, the per unit cost is going to be much higher than most customers are willing to pay.

If the developer gambles that a market will develop they have to have the upfront money to produce many, then the space (and money) to keep stock on the shelf without going out of business (this is the story of the almost mythical cupholder from Tom in Roswell)

It seems that the best bets are either what Joe is doing here (research)or group buys. The research is just plain smart. The group buys allow talented inventors like Joe, Matt and others to create a desired product at a reasonable price and not go out of business.

If you really want a heat shield (and can't do it yourself) your best bet is to find a bunch of people who want them (and front the money) and then get our aftermarket guys to create it.

No it looks like you were right on the money.( so to speak ) There is only like 1.something that is actual ready to put down some money for the 1st gens. If it were to end right now I would do the 2nd gens just for the fact that they would pay now.

Later,
Daniel