Thinking of going into business :-)
 

I am going to start an aero parts business and for the first part, I want to build something for the most popular vehicle in the country (And the one most in need of some help from Aero! :-)

I dont propose to be a genius, just took the standard aero template and am going to build one for now, test it, see what it does.

My questions are these:
1) Is there some grievous design flaw with the "top and tip" I want to build?
2) Can it be better?
3) What might people gain in mpg for a guess?
4) What might people pay for one all done, pretty and ready?

Thanks!
Tom

how would you ship it?

todayican -

bondo is already doing this :

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...lid-10604.html

CarloSW2

Is this the stagged template alignment you had in mind?

Automobile 2 - Odds and Ends pictures by kach22i - Photobucket
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...AndTipcopy.jpg

Beats the snot out of stock, although I suggest offering a chin spoiler to get the max effect.

Yes Katch, Thanks!
so for the "tail extension" to work properly would it need that small buldge in the midsection?

To get the maximum effect, it would.

But the tail extension by itself should be fine.

Thanks Cfg, I am aware of Bondo's efforts. Great work by the way Bondo!

I want to try my hand at it with a different design and the addition of the "tip extension"

Possibly even attempt a "tip forward" truck camper at some point..

It sure would be nice to say this in an ad:...

"The truck camper that lets you get better mpg with it on then off!" :-)

Don't limit your self.
Make aero sets for the kinds of cars that stupid kids like to rice out.
These kids are always looking for something that may or may not work but will make their car stand out.

Maybe you could combine the basic shape of the proposed aero body kit parts with frilly, spiffy graphics that make the subject vehicle look like something out of Transformers.

Hm...

By the way Katch, could you send me or post that version of the aero template, it looks spiffy :-)

You're probably aware that Bondo also has a "tip extension"?
http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...9&d=1309653554

Of course, I'm not saying that it's not worth doing yourself. There is still lots of room for aero stuff on the market:)

Why not make one for a Corolla or EG/EK Civic or Metro? Personally I don't think people will shell out ANY money for something that makes their car (and especially truck) stick out. How about offering a kit with:

-variable grille block
-air dam
-aluminum belly pan
-functional diffuser
-clear smooth wheel covers
-vacuum gauge
-removable trunk/hatch mounted kammback

Of course everything would need to be stupid simple to install, or come with instructions for a shop to do it. I don't see a lot of pickup owners going for the full boat tail because not only can't you use the pickup then, it's not "manly" either, defeating the only reason to daily drive a pickup.

Also, if someone's doing this for economic reasons it's going to have to be really, really cheap to save them money in the long run. Maybe offer a driving clinic with the purchase of said kit. This will not only get them better gas mileage either way, but make them think it's the aero mods doing it all! ;)

I actually wasn't aware of the Bondo Tail extension, cool!

You really need to read the whole thread, link posted below. Page 10 is the green template version which BamZipPow created based on the work of others in the forum.

Aerodynamic Streamlining Template: Part-C
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...rt-c-9287.html

The overlays I did might not have the so-called "high point of roof" lined up with the zero on the template. That roof looks pretty flat, and I'm not sure how to properly deal with that. I just lined it up with your work, understand?

This, minus the vacuum gauge. People in general are not as rational as most on this forum. They want something that looks good (or isn't different), and is functional. They don't want to alter their driving style, nor do they want to stick out like a sore thumb.

Most of the items on this list could be executed with a clean look yet still remain functional.

IMO, you need to target owners of fairly new cars. The projected savings numbers are much larger when the car will likely last another 100-200K miles, vs. something old that will likely only be kept for another 50k.

Agreed on focusing on new car and truck buyers, I want to get a few consigned to car dealers so the cost can be viewed as a "dealer accessory" and rolled right into the loan as well..

by the way, I ran the numbers, over 100,000 miles with an F-150 (assuming $4 a gallon) one stands to save over $1300 for EACH mpg saved!

Here comes the 100mpg Prius C! :-)
 

Man, what a week of ideas!

We are fabbing the F-150 cap this saturday, and I have been working with a 3d scanning outfit to help me make some precision parts for the Prius c Neat stuff this 3d scanning and cad assisted routers!

So, I am including a few pics,
1) Shows a rough idea of rear wheel skirts, I plan on selling them for $125 a side in gel coat with mounting brackets.

2) shows a grill block I'm going to do with a neat twist... We will cover the entire grill area then drill some holes till we get the operating temp right (then add another 20% more hole area for good measure.)

I can do a random hole pattern, sort of like spaceship 1 (Very cool privately built spacecraft) (My image looks like hell compared to how it looks in my head...)

Or, thanks to the wonder of 3d router, I can actually cut patterns or words to customize the vehicle to get to the "air hole volume" needed. I included my favorite website as a reference!

Ill probably sell that for $125 with standard holes and $200 with custom pattern.

3) and 4) show a retractable boat tail I'm working on, WICKED exciting! when its done it will be able to be put on and off the car in 3 minutes, retract from 52" to 15" automatically right from the drivers seat for in town driving.

Not sure on pricing for this but likely $1200 or so.

A couple of questions:

The 3d scanning, 3d routing, and mold prep etc will cost me about 4k. assuming I can show some nice MPG increases with each of these mods, anyone want to comment on weather they think the prices are reasonable?

Thanks for the input guys!
Tom

I would have a lawyer draw up the disclaimers because anything that protrudes beyond the lights is illegal. Trucks require a red flag to be tied to anything that hangs out of the tailgate beyond the lights.

The idea of modding the most popular vehicle in America is great, although I imagine it's a tough sell since image is valued more than mpgs for people that buy a truck.

"For off road use only."

Then you offer a trailer wiring set, a trailer light set and an install kit. Add the value piece by piece.

I don't think the new pickup market is the right place to focus, though. Something with an audience that appreciates efficiency and with an audience that appreciates mods. Something for Civics could be advertised to ricers as a performance upgrade and to fuel sippers as an efficiency upgrade. I haven't done any market studies or anything, but that's my take on it.

I agree that truck owners may be more style conscious then MPG conscious. We will never know till the numbers come in, the for sale sign goes up, and the sales happen (or not) :-)

Its kind of fortunate and ironic that I am going to start off by modding one of the worst mpg vehicles in the country and one of the best (The Prius c) :-)

By the way, I have been working REALLY hard to build my hypermiling driving chops! I am headed for my first full tank of (measured) 60mpg with the Prius c

Starting with this 71mpg run down the highway a little over 30 miles. :-)

Very nice! I like this idea and I've been waiting to see something like it go into "real" production since I saw Bondo's original work. I know several people with trucks (dodge and chevy mostly) that complain bitterly about the price of gas and how expensive it is to drive them, but they won't give up their trucks for anything... I'd love to be able to say "go to this website and you can get an aero topper that'll save you some gas."

Sam

Maybe it is where I live but I really don't agree with the "people who drive trucks don't care about efficiency" Many people need trucks for various reasons and can't afford more than one vehicle. Therefor the truck gets used on the long trips on pavement where a more efficient vehicle would have been more appropriate.

I am currently Looking at buying a new truck and would definitely consider purchasing a aero-cap to help the truck burn a bit less fuel.

For me to consider the "tip" it would have to double as a bed extender that can still load from the rear. 6.5' boxes seem to be the most common but there are many times when a 8' box would be nice.