This could be the ULTIMATE Door Ding Solution...Maybe?

the magnetguy · 09-09-2006, 12:49 PM

Just had a wild brainstorm idea today while in the garage - I know a lot of discussion has been lately on the best way to protect our beloved FJ's without ''tacky'' side molding. I saw my aluminum paint roller extension pole in the corner and got to thinking that this could be a viable solution to door dings.Once extended it can reach up to 8 feet long and when rettracted just 4feet (very easy to store in the truck!) I just had to do a quick mockup of how it might possibly work.I basically just taped it into position on the side of the FJ to see how it would look.I think this would work great as it would stick out at least a couple of inches offering lots of side protection.I was thinking that the pole could be wrapped in a couple of spots with cylindrical styrene (kinda like you see on roof rack bars) this would absorb any blow that the bar might take.My only problem is to figure out some kind of U-bolt or hinged locking device at each wheelwell? Anybody got any good ideas? - I really do think this could work very well and would be completely portable to boot!! Let's here your thoughts! Maybe we could patent this idea (HAHA!! - who knows??) - Tim

lllateralus · 09-09-2006, 04:13 PM

yikes... to install both sides whenever you park, and remove and store before you go sounds kind of tedious!

(and if you dont use it EVERY TIME, then what good is it? The one time you dont use it, you will get dinged!)

*waiting to see more replies*

**Mtbcoach** · 09-09-2006, 04:19 PM

I don't know about that but what seem to work for me are the Demello sliders. A Ford F-250 parked next to me and I heard the "clunk" from inside, got out to see if there was any damage. Low and behold, there was, on the end of his door where it hit my sliders, just some minor paint scraped off his door, no damage to the slider.

the magnetguy · 09-09-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Mtbcoach previously said:

I don't know about that but what seem to work for me are the Demello sliders. A Ford F-250 parked next to me and I heard the "clunk" from inside, got out to see if there was any damage. Low and behold, there was, on the end of his door where it hit my sliders, just some minor paint scraped off his door, no damage to the slider.

sliders are good no doubt - but just too low to catch most doors!

1983FJ60 · 09-09-2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Mtbcoach previously said:

I don't know about that but what seem to work for me are the Demello sliders. A Ford F-250 parked next to me and I heard the "clunk" from inside, got out to see if there was any damage. Low and behold, there was, on the end of his door where it hit my sliders, just some minor paint scraped off his door, no damage to the slider.

What was it?

A lowrider?

Even stock the doors on a 4x4 HD truck will clear the sliders.

The ones on my 2500 reached way past the black moulding on the FJ's doors.

SasaBoom · 09-09-2006, 05:58 PM

At least you're thinking about protecting your vehicle. One of the best ways that I've prevented dings on my truck is that I would park very far away (Not too far) where people don't fight for parking spaces. Plus, it's a minor victory for walking the distance and burning a few extra calories.

eph-j · 09-09-2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

the magnetguy previously said:

Just had a wild brainstorm idea today while in the garage - I know a lot of discussion has been lately on the best way to protect our beloved FJ's without ''tacky'' side molding. I saw my aluminum paint roller extension pole in the corner and got to thinking that this could be a viable solution to door dings.Once extended it can reach up to 8 feet long and when rettracted just 4feet (very easy to store in the truck!) I just had to do a quick mockup of how it might possibly work.I basically just taped it into position on the side of the FJ to see how it would look.I think this would work great as it would stick out at least a couple of inches offering lots of side protection.I was thinking that the pole could be wrapped in a couple of spots with cylindrical styrene (kinda like you see on roof rack bars) this would absorb any blow that the bar might take.My only problem is to figure out some kind of U-bolt or hinged locking device at each wheelwell? Anybody got any good ideas? - I really do think this could work very well and would be completely portable to boot!! Let's here your thoughts! Maybe we could patent this idea (HAHA!! - who knows??) - Tim

I like the idea. I would be happy to help you develop it if you want to give it a go. I am proficient in Solidworks if that is any help. Feel free to PM if you are interested. I have some ideas too.

eph-j · 09-09-2006, 06:08 PM

Oh yeah, forgot to mention I have a FJ to try ideas on.

rsrd · 09-09-2006, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Mtbcoach previously said:

I don't know about that but what seem to work for me are the Demello sliders. A Ford F-250 parked next to me and I heard the "clunk" from inside, got out to see if there was any damage. Low and behold, there was, on the end of his door where it hit my sliders, just some minor paint scraped off his door, no damage to the slider.

I hope you gave him a nice shiner!

**Mtbcoach** · 09-09-2006, 07:25 PM

No reason to give him anything, he incured the paint scrap from the Line-X, sliders zero.

Don't know what to tell you guys, no low-rider, just a "normal" F250. Must have been the angle of the parking (it was an "angled" parking lot, not perpendicular) and the bottom of his door hit the slider before it hit my FJ. Yes, if it did hit, it would have been above the "plastic" but it didn't. It might have been different if he could have opened his door more since the curvature of the door edge might have been able to reach my paint better.

At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it...