Dome light repairs... How Ford should have done it

[Supermike]

Dude... sounds like a real pain in the butt to me! I'd have already dented the side panels kicking it, had my wife giving me "told ya so's", broken something by throwing it, and placed an ad on craigslist.

Good luck!

[AlleyCat]

LOOKS COOL but not original even if plastic sucks, its principle

This from the guy who wants to hybrid a 390?

I mean radial tires aren't original either and neither is getting 35 mpg outa hybriding the darn thing. ok off the soap box now just tired of people hating one item becuase it ain't original, wich honestly i doubt any concourse judges prods anything to make sure its the material its upposed to be cuae i would deck the first one to scrape at my parts or knife my light. seen enough shows that knock you for billet.

but in earlier postings asks how to hybrid a 390.

Concourse judges piss me off too. some would rather you let it rust burn it crush and take crap on it than to custom it in any way. including custom paints. They are like HOA's. Too many people worrying about how things look.
I'm sorry just my

wow where'd that come from? I stand by what i said just not the way i said it.

You said it just fine. Not everyone likes a person who speaks their mind in plain langauge, however those who do appreciate that manner of speaking will likely be your friend forever.

[rjewkes]

i know i just don't like coming off mean.

Like i said the sentiment is real.

But my grandfather coulda told him his arse was on fire and no way to put it out and he'd a thanked him and left smiling.

[AlleyCat]

I've been told that I sound mean at times even when mean is the last thing on my mind.It bothers me that I may come off as mean online. That is why I use a lot of in my posts.

I admire folks like your grandfather.I wish I had the ability to get a point across without sounding like a real SOB.

[rjewkes]

so do I.

i have been able to do it at times.
he also used alota if a person wher to or if a person would. Never used shoulda's and only a few couldas.

while i'm here i have an idea for a new radio bezel identical but with an opening long enough and wide enough for a mnew din/mini-din radio.

This pic is crude but i think you'll know what to do with it Jamie.

[390Nut]

i know i just don't like coming off mean.

Like i said the sentiment is real.

But my grandfather coulda told him his arse was on fire and no way to put it out and he'd a thanked him and left smiling.

Sounds like your grandfather was too nice.

[Ranchero50]

Robert, that's similiar to whats coming except I plan on reusing the two top screw holes in the dash to hold the bezel and fabbing a plate / lip on the bottom to hold / cage the bottom of the bezel in place. Ideally you just bend the factory stereo tabs back and install mine. That way you could go concourse down the road if you wanted to. I may weld on a tray for additional support for the bottom of the stereo (never was happy with the DIN slide in mounts bent tabs for strength). Your angles are a little screwy though the front face is on a 20-30` angle compared the the stereo mount plate. I want to keep the original face contour and just widen the sides on the back plate so the newer aftermarket stuff fits with a uniform gap on all four sides. I want it to look original. I've even been talking to some guys about chroming the front edge just like original.

I need to get a couple dome lamp bezel batches finished and sold so I can get a spool gun for the welder and another tank for argon to weld aluminum. Then then get the programs built to cut the DIN mount sections, fab the welding fixture (to hold the part in form with clamps etc.), weld them together, then fab the CNC fixtures (two operations, two fixtures), build the programs for both positions and finally the finish work (chrome the front lip and flat black the inside). It's really involved and further than I've been before fabbing and machining.

I haven't even done a cost guestimate yet, but I expect to take about two hours or more on the fab / machine work on each part. The dome lamp bezels should end up being about thirty minutes of hands on time once everything is optimized so with the chrome work I'm looking at around $100 per DIN mount out the door but like I said, I haven't even gotten beyond the thinking stage yet (which is good). At this point it's a Christmas time frame for parts out the door.

Jamie

[ford4x4fun]

I am upfront... In todays new political world, those that speak there mind, and what is actually the truth end up having to apologise... This makes no sence to me. I will neve apologise for a thought of mine. And I honestly don't think you should feel bad. If a person says one thing than doas the exact opposite it needs to be pointed out. for posting you thoughts. The truth wasn't ever meant to be nice. It was just meant to be the truth.

[rjewkes]

and on the radio bezel I tolod ya the drawing was crude.

I'm up for one if it makes the dash look original but supports the din radio.

actualy 2. gotta radio up the crew.

[LUVMY69FORD250RANGER]

Jamie,

OK, you may have talked me into it

I have the links for market analyist, patent attorney, etc. (I've just never gotten that far with one of my brainfarts, uh... I mean brainstorms).
Please let me know if you want these.

Basketcase

FORD WOULD NEVE allow a patent, you would only be wasting your money profits in court

[Supermike]

Dude... you are negative! Why do you think Ford would not allow a patent? As I understand it, if it's an improvement on the original and offers some form of enhanced capability (e.g. brighter light, longer lasting, etc.), it can be patented just like a newer "longer lasting" headlight can be patented.

[4x4freakfe427]

Hey there Ranchero I am Mike and I would like to put an order in on 2 of those fine looking bezels thanks

[rjewkes]

Where not talking about the truck name or the oval or the cobras/stang badges. Ford can't patent the bezel. only the original design or metra would be screwed for thier kits for the newer ones. oh look they have a patent on their kit that fits the dash on a long list of makes and models.




Its not even the parts in casses in (insert state name) mustang shops.
most of thier products are ford licensed/made Products.

It the The oval and running pony designs thgey have to protect.

I could name any building i wanted mustang ranch or even Ford's house of pancakes. but if i use the oval or any patented trademark(s) then yes they sue but just the name is not suable as there are people named ford unrelated to henry with bussiness's named ford something or rather.

[Ranchero50]

4x4freak, your on the list.

I now have a running producing CNC machine in my garage. Did the first cut on 82 lenses last night in 63 minutes. Going to build the program and do the second cut this morning and hopefully get back into the aluminum this afternoon.

Tha patent issue was brought up earlier in the thread @ $1500 investment that doesn't give you very much if any protection (you still have to figure out whos producing your part and go after them yourself in civil court)

I'll try to post up some pics of the mill doing it's thing later this evening

Jamie

[ford4x4fun]

Jamie,

OK, you may have talked me into it

I have the links for market analyist, patent attorney, etc. (I've just never gotten that far with one of my brainfarts, uh... I mean brainstorms).
Please let me know if you want these.

Basketcase

FORD WOULD NEVE allow a patent, you would only be wasting your money profits in court