Making custom air dam for TDR members - Need Help

[boonsur]

I am working on a design for a polished, stainless "air dam" that will mount onto the black plastic one that comes stock, to dress it up. This is something I will offer to TDR members (ONLY). This would be real good to help identify others when driving down the road. It is very simple, but really sharp/agressive.



I am planning on holes for a set of driving lights, and need help deciding on a brand/model number. It must be a round light, 3" diameter or less. I think I want a "spot-light" pattern, to project the light down the road, without shining in others eyes.



PIAA has such a light, but seems really expensive. I don't think I (or others) may want to spend that much. I have checked KC, Hella, and Peterson websites, and it doesn't look like they have what I want.



Auto-Zone carries "Pilot" lights, and they have a good looking light (can't remember model number). This would be good because anybody could get them in their own city. Does anybody have experience with these?



Any other ideas?

 

[K_Arts]

As far as lights go, have you checked out the CATZ lights? Check out their website FET-CATZ



I can get a pretty smok'n deal on these lights if your are interested.



Kev

 

[Dkevdog]

I am definitely interested . Keep us posted on this!! As far as lights go... ... ... . you might try Trucklite & Grote as well. I think that MaxximaParts Systems, Inc has some driving lights as well.



Are you planning on installing this over the factory plastic dam or are youplanning on the removal of it??



Kev

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Thats nice but what about us ?

How about the 1st gen trucks ? We got money too, and I for one am always looking for a way to update my truck. Everyone seems to forget about the trucks that started it all when it comes to aftermarket accessories

 

[boonsur]

K_Arts,



I think Catz would be a good line, for a reasonable price. However, I don't see a round, spotlight pattern, except in the larger size (SR series). The XLO (clear/hyperwhite) looks close, but I'm hesitant of the pattern being too broad (unable to use on-road)?



Roughly, how much do these cost for a set?

 

[K_Arts]

boonsur - Email me the types that you are interested in and I will get a hold of the sales manager and get you a price. She has always given me a killer deal on these lights..... like Dealer price!!!!



Kev

 

[Cooker]

boonsur,

Sorry I forgot to email you the link of the Hella lights.



Check here: http://catalog.com/susq/hella/optilux.htm



It is the Optilux 1300 series, and they are on sale right now for only $40 for the pair and this includes wiring/switch. These lights have a 55w H3 bulb.



-Ryan

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have seen "Pilot" stuff, its garbage, anything but that. PIAA's would be great, but way out of the price range.

 

[K_Arts]

Ok guys I contacted the Cherie Morgan at FET and boy is she excited. She is hoping that she can get us what we are after at a good price.



I forwarded her response to Boonsur... Being that this is his product it is up to him to say YA or NA. Hopefully this will work out. Count me in if the CATZ lights are chosen. Sorry I'm not much of a PIAA fan. I have 2 sets of CATZ lights on my truck (MSC fog lamps and MSX driving lamps) and I also have a set of MSX driving lamps on the wifes truck... these lights rock!!!



Kev

 

[boonsur]

As Kevin mentioned, Catz looks like a good option. He is going to get me in touch with a person at Catz who can help me find the best light for our application. Hopefully there is enough interest to get a good price on these.



I thought a cheaper light (Pilot) might be O. K. to use since the plastic housing would be concealed behind the sheet metal anyway. A good arguement (Kevin had) for going with a better light is the thicker, shatter resistant glass lens. These lights will be closer to ground level, and more vunerable to rocks, etc. Also the better lights are better sealed to water, salt, etc. Thanks, Kevin!



The holes in the air dam plate will probably be simple circles. I'm trying to make the diameter just right, so the lights look "built-in". Other lights will certainly fit into the application, if anybody has other preferences than the one I choose for my truck. I have done some paper mock-up's of the plate, and think it will probably look O. K. without any lights at all (except at night).



This is planned for 2nd Generation trucks, with the chrome grill/bumper, not Sport facia trucks. (CrewCabDiesel, maybe we can come up with something for 1st gen. trucks, e-mail me).



The design I think looks best is a simple plate, approx. the same with as the hood grill. It will be made of highly polished stainless steel, looking like the chrome. It has two holes, set near the middle, giving it a pretty good "big-rig" look. I experimented with slots to emulate the ones in the grill, but it looked too busy.



As I mentioned, it will probably be just a plate that mounts onto the existing (black plastic) air dam, using stainless carriage screws, etc. I haven't looked into making it with brackets to fit truck that do not have the plastic already. May be more economical to buy the plastic part from Mopar, etc. I will check into pricing of these too.