Talon Stealth Kicker

[highpocket74]

For my fine friends at the HondaSXSclub, here is a sneak peak of my latest cad model going to fab shop today for a quote and to have a set made, if all the bends check out.

I continue to strive toward original, functional designs.

 

[Admin]

 

[highpocket74]

Let me add that this design started because of two things;

1. The local fab shop I use for sheet metal wanted a nerf bar design that they could make entirely in house without tubes.
2. I received several requests for X4 steps only for the front seats where the rear seats are used for cargo only. This design will easily modify for that purpose. Once I get some measurements from a potential customer, I'll be able to finalize that design.

The step design is made of two pieces and two mounting plates. The construction is fully boxed and will be seal welded at all seams.

The great part of the local fab shop guys is that I can make one or 1000 of these and they don't really care. Every part is CNC made so repeatable accuracy is not a problem and the turnaround time versus tubes is quicker by weeks.

 

[highpocket74]

Tack welded the first set of Stealth Kickers today and test fit on Talon. We will weld them out, bolt them up and send some pictures later. They look cool!

 

[highpocket74]

 

[highpocket74]

It’s been non-stop till now this afternoon!

 

[Hondasxs]

Nice.. Looks good.

 

[highpocket74]

Nice.. Looks good.

Even my dad liked the look and he normally could care less!

 

[highpocket74]

 

[highpocket74]

This is the magic and what I love doing! Software is sometimes frustrating but it's exciting when I can pull this 3d model that's completely possible to fabricate out of my head. Two pieces for the step and two mounting plates. Quite a bit of MIG welding but it looks great. The name comes from the angular shape that reminds me of an F-117.

 

[highpocket74]

Next up I need to modify this design for a 4 seater, which surprisingly will only get 14" longer. Then I have a few requests from overlanding guys to make a version that is only a step for the front seats of a 4 seater. That version will get a little shorter than the normal 2 seater and use the front and mid mounting locations only.

The benefits of having this sheet metal design are that I don't have to make a large order of these, my local guys can do it, and because of that, I can get these much quicker than a tube design.

 

[highpocket74]

I had the shop cut and bend a couple sets of these for me. Now I need to get them welded and sent back for paint. I want to have a few available to ship when I turn on the store listing. You just never know what people want. Often they don't know themselves until they see something they like.

I'm not a big player in the aftermarket parts arena, but I'm trying to not do the same thing everyone else is doing. As long as I can manufacture my ideas in small quantity runs, I don't have a problem experimenting with different ideas.

 

[highpocket74]

I now have 2 sets of these in stock.
My wife and my dad like these steps. I'm tall enough to not need them and they are tucked in tight to where I can simply step over them without stretching. The do not extend beyond the stock tire width of an X model.

 

[highpocket74]

This X4 version has taken me a while to get drawn because I'm still new to Fusion, and it's FRUSTRATING at times! I've got a little bit more work to do with alignment tabs in the cad model, which makes assembly and welding quicker. But I'm finally getting there! Once this is complete and I get a test fit set built, I'll be working on a shorter version for the X4 front seats only. That has been requested more than a few times for those overlanding guys that do not carry passengers.

Now that I have an X4 in house, the design ideas are simmering! I've got a lot of ideas to work out this winter.

 

[highpocket74]

Finally got the 4 seat design wrapped up today and sending the 3d file to sheet metal on Monday. Get one set made to check the fit and then order more for sales. I won't have a price until sheet metal provides a quote next week.

 

[highpocket74]

Had a little bit of free time and NICE weather Saturday evening so I removed the roll pan plastic from the X4 to prepare the nerf bar mount windows. I'm hoping I have my first set of X4 running boards this week to weld up and test fit. My wife needs them!

 

[highpocket74]

FINALLY carved out enough time to get the Talon 4 seater Stealth Kickers fab'd up. Took a long time because I had to lengthen the steps due to faulty measurements. I had several issues extending these so the fit wasn't perfect. I like the way they look but they are heavy in steel. I've considered making the underside 1/4" aluminum while leaving the diamond plate surface at 1/8" aluminum. That would be a huge weight savings. And I may explore other designs. It's tough designing for something that can't be a hangup spot for obstacles. I really like the boxed construction design because it's very sturdy and slides over everything.