Seeing these pictures all I can think of is how back in the "other forum," when I first announced Matrix fitment for the XK, Get Lost started ranting up and down about how terrible 4xGuard was and how engineering and structural design and computer modeling wasn't worth anything compared to his All Powerful Experience. Then, to prove how superior he was, he said this:
"I have been build bumpers on my vehicles and other vehicles for a few years, I understand metal and have been trained in metal fabrication. I've ripped stuff off my toyota because I didn't add enough metal to spread the load enough."
At the time I honestly laughed at how he claimed that his track record of failures in building bumpers was legitimate proof of his mastery in building bumpers. Looking at these pics from a fellow XK owner, I now feel sad.
Mike
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2006 5.7L Limited, Inferno Red, QDII, and all goodies. Modified Superlift 4" lift-kit, B.F.G. 285/70R17 A/Ts (1.25" spacers), Aries tail-light guards, AVS ventvisors, KC Hilites off-road lights, and from 4xGuard: Belly Guard, Front Guard 4, Matrix brush guard with Receiver and Grill Hoop, Rear Diff Guard, Rear Guard 2, Rear Sliders, and Side Guards.
Last edited by cico7; 11-17-2011 at 07:56 PM.
2007 Jeep Commander: QTII, Leather, Sunroof, remote start, OEM Skid Plates, 2 in Daystar lift, 255.75.17 BFG Mud Terrains on Moabs, 1.25 " Spidertrax wheel spacers, 4x Guard front guard and Side Guards, Optima Red Top, Robbys half inch leveling spacer, Bilstein 5150 Rear Shocks, Pinch weld mod and trimming!
It was something to see. He (GetLost4x4) angrily went on and on about how completely superior his mounting system was -- something these pictures don't exactly confirm -- and then after some pressure he admitted that he had never seen the 4xGuard mounting system. He knew absolutely nothing about the thing he was attacking.
Sigh.
It's an easy temptation to pop off about your own product. I understand that. But you're absolutely right, Holaday, that it's not generally wise to talk down about other products at the same time -- especially if you don't actually know what you're talking about. That sort of thing almost always backfires. Add in the anger with which he approached the situation and ... well, I felt (and feel) truly sad for him. I have to think he was going through something tough personally to do that kind of thing.
I think he was indeed banned around then, cico. His first banning, anyway. He came back under some other name later and would rail against anything I said. At one point in his second incarnation I remember him all-caps screaming that I was lying about the fact that I have Aries tail-light guards ... in a thread in which I detailed the mounting process with pictures. His second banning wasn't long after that, I think. Like I said, it was pretty sad.
It was also unfortunate since despite the problems his products caused he was a strong figure in pushing the platform out there on the trails. A real pity.
All this to illustrate not only how very differently some businesses behave, but also how important it is to get the engineering right. I'm suspecting that when it comes to the mounting system, at least, Steel Armadillo is going to zig where Get Lost zagged, if you know what I mean!
I disagree about the relative worth of Corner Guards (that's what we were going to call them, of course) compared to the 4xGuard Rear Sliders. I've been in serious love with the Sliders since we first started mock-ups years ago. At the same time, I do think that the Corner Guards would be pretty useful. Combine them with Sliders and 4xG's Rear Guard 2 and you effectively have all the benefits of a steel rear bumper replacement without as much weight added on. You'd be protected in the same problem areas, it would look waaaaay cooler (I think), and there's very little damage done to the vehicle itself if you were wanting to strip it off in order to sell the vehicle or something like that.How much for the plans or prototypes. I feel there is a better need for these than the rear sliders
As I said, we never went to prototype on them, though: I came up with the design -- it's a bit like the Matrix in terms of its complexity -- and I executed a basic proof-of-concept mockup, but then other things took precedence in the production queue and they got put on the backburner. Then the business sold.
As it happens, I was actually talking today with another manufacturer about dipping into my pool of unborn designs. He was specifically after two other products -- also cool things, one for the XK and one for the WK/XK -- and I haven't had time to even contemplate where it all might lead. So give me time ... or give me an offer I can't refuse.
Last edited by Knappster; 11-18-2011 at 10:54 AM. Reason: added: (GetLost4x4) for clarification only
Mike
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2006 5.7L Limited, Inferno Red, QDII, and all goodies. Modified Superlift 4" lift-kit, B.F.G. 285/70R17 A/Ts (1.25" spacers), Aries tail-light guards, AVS ventvisors, KC Hilites off-road lights, and from 4xGuard: Belly Guard, Front Guard 4, Matrix brush guard with Receiver and Grill Hoop, Rear Diff Guard, Rear Guard 2, Rear Sliders, and Side Guards.
In case you don't remember, Knappster/Steel Armadillo, you are the one who asked the questions about my designs. Shall I ignore your questions next time?
Besides which, trying to flip this accusation against me doesn't make any sense. I have no competing products, after all. I have no business. I have nothing to promote.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but you're really only proving the point I was trying to make before. Your personal business interest is leading you to attack an enthusiast for being an enthusiast. It's your forum, but I sure hate to see it go down that road.
(And this after I went out of my way to throw Steel Armadillo a bone by pointing out how your design appears to be better than Get Lost's? Seriously?)
Mike
_________________________
2006 5.7L Limited, Inferno Red, QDII, and all goodies. Modified Superlift 4" lift-kit, B.F.G. 285/70R17 A/Ts (1.25" spacers), Aries tail-light guards, AVS ventvisors, KC Hilites off-road lights, and from 4xGuard: Belly Guard, Front Guard 4, Matrix brush guard with Receiver and Grill Hoop, Rear Diff Guard, Rear Guard 2, Rear Sliders, and Side Guards.
An external roll cage with possibly mounting points onto steel armadillo and/or 4xguard side guards.
2008 3.7L QT-1 dark blue Jeep Commander // 3+" modified OME lift with 3/8" Rocky Road strut spacer // 4" rear SL springs // 265/70/17 Goodyear Duratracs (Load E) // 1.5" spidertraxx spacers // F-150 Monroe Load Levelers // 4xguard matrix, front guard, belly guard, and rock sliders // 130 watt KC Daylighters - 2 // Airflow snorkel // Thrush welded exhaust // Defender Roof Rack with side ladder // Hypertech Max Energy Programmer
2006 XK Limited, 5.7L Hemi
Dark Khaki, QDII, Rocky Road 2.25" lift, Steel Armadillo front bumper with Warn PowerPlant winch, Steel Armadillo rear bumper w/ tire carrier, Rock Sliders, Light Bar & Front Fender Tube Fenders, 4xGuard belly skid plate & rear differential guard, BFG M/T A/T 255/75R17s on Rubicon rims, Spidertrax 1.5 inch wheel spacers, Rhino Rack Pioneer Tray with FoxWing Awning, Superchips VIVID Programmer, Air Flow snorkel, Steel Armadillo Secure Console, Cobra CB Radio, Lock Pick Video Programmer, ASFIR Skid Plates.
Knappster's Garage
AKA: the Owner of The Steel Armadillo L.L.C.
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