SnailArmor Tailgate Panels

That's a good question, I was actually just hanging out with Jimmy yesterday. Not sure if he has any plans for a 4th Gen tailgate panel but im sure if he got his hands on one, he would design something for it.
 
Hey @bettywhiteoneseven I picked up my first version prototype today from the laser cutter. I found a local guy who has a 4GT that is letting me use his truck for templets. I am hoping to get these panels out ASAP.
 
Hey @bettywhiteoneseven I picked up my first version prototype today from the laser cutter. I found a local guy who has a 4GT that is letting me use his truck for templets. I am hoping to get these panels out ASAP.

That's awesome. Our guy @rustytaco (konrad) is getting a 4G here shortly. We might need to get him setup with a 4GTaco.com panel. Let's go!!
 
Dope! I'm definitely going to need one of these... Just need to hurry up and sell my 3G so I can free up some funds...
 
@Jimmy Jet any word on the 4th Gen panels yet?

Unfortunately, these are a hard tailgate to finalize. The 2nd and 3rd Gen Tacos had a nearly completely flat metal surface when you removed the plastic. The 4GT has many sections that rise. So its been a pain to finalize. I will get some photos soon and update everyone.

I will have a question as to what you think I should do.
 
I have questions about your upcoming SnailArmor 4GT panel. Id like to know your thoughts.

I have been wrapping my head around the best way to make this panel. I have run into a few different snags as it's not the easiest panel to simply replace. One of the major issues is the metal on the underside of the stock plastic piece. There are a few different places around the edge that raised (marked in orange below). Because these parts rise I think cutting them out would look silly and expose much of the stock tailgate. and If I cover them there is no support in the middle, plus the sides have massive gaps.

4GT-Tailgate-No-Plastic.jpg


I have thought about making a fancy ABS cutout that could go under my panel but I am afraid that it would raise the cost a lot and wouldn't save anything on weight. Because of this, I am going with the Snail Armor panel ontop of the stock plastic. But this also has a problem View the videos below.



Because I am thinking about placing my panel on top of the Plastic there isn't much room between the Tailgate and the Bed. Because of this, I needed to cut my panel short and when I do this it exposes the ridges from the stock plastic panel.



So this is my idea to solve this problem, add a rubber gasket onto the back of the panel that extends beyond the Snail Armor panel and it will adhere to the stock panel covering the ridges




I would like to know, is this an acceptable solution?
 
I have questions about your upcoming SnailArmor 4GT panel. Id like to know your thoughts.

I have been wrapping my head around the best way to make this panel. I have run into a few different snags as it's not the easiest panel to simply replace. One of the major issues is the metal on the underside of the stock plastic piece. There are a few different places around the edge that raised (marked in orange below). Because these parts rise I think cutting them out would look silly and expose much of the stock tailgate. and If I cover them there is no support in the middle, plus the sides have massive gaps.

View attachment 1519

I have thought about making a fancy ABS cutout that could go under my panel but I am afraid that it would raise the cost a lot and wouldn't save anything on weight. Because of this, I am going with the Snail Armor panel ontop of the stock plastic. But this also has a problem View the videos below.

View attachment 1520

Because I am thinking about placing my panel on top of the Plastic there isn't much room between the Tailgate and the Bed. Because of this, I needed to cut my panel short and when I do this it exposes the ridges from the stock plastic panel.

View attachment 1521

So this is my idea to solve this problem, add a rubber gasket onto the back of the panel that extends beyond the Snail Armor panel and it will adhere to the stock panel covering the ridges


View attachment 1522

I would like to know, is this an acceptable solution?
That looks super clean man. I think that would be a proper solution. As long as it is a high quality double sided tape.
 
Yeah, that is a concern of mine. I don't want the rubber gasket coming undone and flopping around. I was thinking about some sort of adhesive but I also want to make it easy on the customer.
 
@TRD JON did you get your 4GT yet?

He's got two of them. Just picked up a new TRD Pro last week.

 

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