Interior plastic parts for 89-93 Ram

[richgod]

I'd be interested in teh trim set that goes around the headliner, front and rear on my 93 D250 LE Extended cab. That funky buterscotch color (camel???) is what I have. If there is matching plastic paint, color is no worry.

BTW... I am also hunting a front grill surround. What I have is a JC Whitney part... cheap chromed (formerly) plastic that does NOT have the DODGE on the front...

 

[JDancoe]

I'd be interested in a complete set in gray. Possibly might even take two sets, if you could get them at or under $500 per set. Would you be interested in selling individual parts, or only whole sets? Jack Dancoe

 

[HHhuntitall]

I'd be interested in a complete set in gray. Possibly might even take two sets, if you could get them at or under $500 per set. Would you be interested in selling individual parts, or only whole sets? Jack Dancoe

I'm not sure as of yet. The molding company and I are still having an argument as to patent and copyrighting infringement. The molds are pretty pricey. I was quoted just over $19,000 for a set of basic molds... I'd have to sell 39 sets of interiors at $500 to make it pay out... . I think I might could break some sets up if someone just wanted one half a set of pieces. I might could start a list, and match up who wanted what... . Let's see if we can get them made first!!

 

[JDancoe]

Well, let's start a list then. Put together a itemized description of what a "set" would include, and interested people could contact you and leave their names, and the no. of sets they might be interested in.
Then maybe start another list for those who need individual pieces.
This would give you some idea what the market potential would be. You're also going to want to figure in the time & labor that will be involved in packing and shipping. It's possible the price might end up at something over $500. Then, the question might be, how much over. I, myself am NOT absolutely limited to a $500 price.
Also, I currently have a 92 undergoing refurbishment, and I bought interior trim parts from the dealer a few years ago that are in good shape. My brother & I are going to try fitting some of the trim to an older (1986) D-250. If it works, that might broaden the potential market. I'll let you know how it works out. Jack Dancoe

 

[TMacIsaac]

Sounds like a plan count on two more orders

Thanks for spearheading the cause I can guarantee you two full orders and maybe more.



Tim

 

[Overdrive]

I could use 2 or 3 sets of grey ones, all mouldings, especially the top of door, windshield and under back window pieces, as all the ones I have are cracked or smashed.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Welcome to te TDR Overdrive!

 

[MJLee]

I could use some too for my Ram Charger.



Just a thought, might want to get with the guys at RamchargerCentral. Com - RamchargerCentral. Com - Index, all the same stuff... .

 

[Overdrive]

Welcome to te TDR Overdrive!

Thanks!

 

[JMDancoe]

HHuntitall: It's been a while, was just wondering if the cab plastic went anywhere? As my brother said we're interested. Can you give an update?
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86 / 92 D-250 Retrofitted Cummins w/auto 2WD 246,000 miles - 96 Ram 1500 short bed 318 w/auto 4WD 307,000 miles - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4. 0 w/auto 4WD 160,000 miles

 

[HHhuntitall]

HHuntitall: It's been a while, was just wondering if the cab plastic went anywhere? As my brother said we're interested. Can you give an update?

_____________________

86 / 92 D-250 Retrofitted Cummins w/auto 2WD 246,000 miles - 96 Ram 1500 short bed 318 w/auto 4WD 307,000 miles - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4. 0 w/auto 4WD 160,000 miles

Unfortunately, all progess has halted, and even regressed to a certain point... . the local guys I was wanting to use have not returned my calls, and seem to have lost interest. After talking with some experienced individuals in the industry, I think they realized the undertaking they were expected to handle..... Any other leads have not been promising. I talked to an engineer at another company that used to build a cheapo version, and their molds got "broken"... . the were plaster, apparently, and were dropped during a facility upgrade/renovation..... That company currently used fiberglass molds, costing upwards of $100,000 to make just for door panels..... let alone all the other parts I wanted to make! They just don't think the demand is there, despite the fact that I want to help purchase the molds... . maybe they're right.....



Anyway, all the manufacturers I have talked to have been reluctant to even consider the door panels, let alone the other interior parts. I've been pretty frustrated, and being so busy in my shop since the first of November, I've not pursued it much in the last 60 days or so..... I've got another lead in the DFW area, but I have to schedule a meeting with the guy and his "people" and run some numbers with them and see what we can do. I can't blame them, I'm reluctant to just jump out there on a $100k note for something I don't know if I can break even on either... ... . That number is way bigger than the one I was initially led to believe I could use.....



I haven't given up, I'm just taking a breather, looking for another route... Any suggestions, anyone?

 

[JMDancoe]

I appreciate the update. Will watch the thread. I hope you can work it out. I can't fault your caution. Thanks! Jim
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86 / 92 D-250 Retrofitted Cummins w/auto 2WD 246,000 miles - 96 Ram 1500 short bed 318 w/auto 4WD 307,000 miles - 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4. 0 w/auto 4WD 160,000 miles

 

[CircleS]

If you haven't already, just showing the interest from here, -a small part of truck owners- might help. Actually, we may be the biggest interest...

 

[HHhuntitall]

Unfortunately, the several dozen people I know, not counting the great people here on the TDR, don't account for much of a market when it comes to paying off a $100k bill. The lack of interest from larger distributors is the biggest problem..... they say there is no demand... . but there is no source, and we know it, so of course there is no demand!! We've given up on asking, and that's the biggest problem... . the only place that used to make them is Coverlay Mfg. , of San Angelo, TX, and they are the ones that broke their molds. They were the source for JC Whitney and other large distributors. They say they had little demand for them, so they never built new molds. I told them there were too many people that didn't know they existed, let alone built door panels..... now it's just an argument... . ugh...

 

[ENafziger]

The $100k does require caution. However, if just 10 people from each state were willing to buy a complete set of new plastic for $400, that would be $200,000. To me, that seems completely reasonable... although the problem becomes the logistics to foot the original cost and handle the distribution.

--Eric

 

[JLEONARD]

The $100k does require caution. However, if just 10 people from each state were willing to buy a complete set of new plastic for $400, that would be $200,000. To me, that seems completely reasonable... although the problem becomes the logistics to foot the original cost and handle the distribution.

The 100K was only for the door panel molds if you re-read the post. Assuming 500 people would buy new door panels... not a good assumption.

 

[HHhuntitall]

I could see it happening, but no one else can..... I think I could do it in Texas alone, but the manufacturers don't think so... . and I can't just drop $100k to find out!! HA! Now, if I win the lottery... ... . oh, wait, you have to play to win, don't you?!?!

 

[RSchwarzli]

Too bad to hear all this.



As you also said, I never knew there was a repro available at one time. In saying that there was, they were also too early. Only in the last few years have these trucks gone from old work truck status to something worthy of new panels. It always takes 20 years or so for this to happen. Look at the number of restifications that are posted here now. Same thing happened with the muscle cars. There was no parts available and as the people started restoring their cars, demand went up and is now even at the point you can buy a complete car shell, complete new interior, complete motor, suspension, alxes, trans, everythig! You can build a 1970 Challenger from scratch if you have the funds!



Maybe we need to let this rest for a few more years as much as I hate to say it... . Then again, it would be nice to be the first in offering these parts as the market is developing. Lets face it. There were 100s of thousands of 1st gens made. There WILL be a market for them. Its just when.

 

[mysteryman]

interiior parts

Ok guys, I have read all the chatter. Now how bad do you really want the parts??? I can have them made out of fiberglass for a whole lot less than 100K . But it will still cost some thing. So who wants to put their money where their mouth is ? I am not putting up all the money myself!!

I already have quite a stach of the plastic parts for myself. I really don't

think I will live long enough to use them all up.



I propose making a few of the pieces at a time . This will spread out the cost over time. . The parts I am short of are the over windsheild and over the top of the doors.

The wide panel that goes behind the seat from left to right horizontally

I make out of steel and then cover it with vinyl. It takes me quite a bit of time to make them.



As for color, No big deal! I have the all the factory colors made by the oem to paint them with. And by the way... . All the dash assemblies were painted !



In the past I have reproduced many many parts for the trucks. Everyone

always says that they really need what ever part is in question. I go ahead and make the parts and then no one buys them. If it were not for the fleets that bought the parts from me in large quantities. I would not have sold any at all.

My most recent project was making the factory pinstripe again. Everyone said they needed some ... . But here it is 6 months later and I have not sold any except to my personal local friends. .



The only reason that any part is no longer available is for one reason .

There is not enough demand to make it profitable to produce !!!

There are manufacturers that are very anxious to produce anything that they could make a buck on. All that is needed is to show them the money.



So how many out there would be willing to put their money in an escrow

account to pool enough money to do this project ???



I can make ANY discontinued part a reality again ! Just show me the money !!!

I could see it happening, but no one else can..... I think I could do it in Texas alone, but the manufacturers don't think so... . and I can't just drop $100k to find out!! HA! Now, if I win the lottery... ... . oh, wait, you have to play to win, don't you?!?!

 

[MMeier]

Rough idea on how much it will take ? The piece above the windshield an d the one over the doors are what I need the most also ! A-Holes @ Safelite did a number on them when they had the windshield in and out like 5 times !!! #@$%!