Pre-wiring from factory?

[Saint Alban]

I asked Slate if the add on kit for power windows comes with a wiring harness that we would have to run across the vehicle to the passenger side in order to control the passenger window from the drivers side door OR will the vehicle come pre-wired and the kit would basically be just the switches and motors. Their answer:

“..There is an option to add power windows so you can do that if you'd like but whether it will come pre-wired or if you'll need to do the wiring yourself is still not clear. We assume that it will be pre-wired at the factory, but I've reached out to the appropriate team to get a clear answer. As soon as I hear back from them, I'll update you!….

Thanks for your patience! I followed up with our team and it looks like we're still finalizing details regarding the wiring for power windows so stay tuned!”

 

[cadblu]

Geez, only 18 months away from target deliveries and still no plan for such a basic option. The reason being, the engineers that are going to make that decision…

… wait for it …

have not been hired yet.

I think I’m going to just order the basic version and wait until after delivery for customizing / adding options.

 

[B1050]

I wondered the same thing about fog lights. Running the wires will be the hardest part.

 

[E90400K]

Geez, only 18 months away from target deliveries and still no plan for such a basic option. The reason being, the engineers that are going to make that decision…

… wait for it …

have not been hired yet.

I think I’m going to just order the basic version and wait until after delivery for customizing / adding options.

This just indicates most of this truck is still vaporware and is being rushed to market.

I also noticed in the reveal video the drivers roll up window was off its tracks, so even the manual window design has yet to be finalized. Also, the relocateable rear window for the SUV conversion was not detailed. It had no latch, no lock, nor gas struts to hold it open.

Lots of work to get through before Job 1.

 

[Swinefuzz]

Perhaps this decision is not yet final because the door design is not yet final. If the door will indeed be removeable, which is very, very appealing to me, I hope it will be an easy on/off experience like with my Jeep, which has no wiring or HVAC ducting of any kind jumping the gap and it literally takes just a minute to remove a door! It's the simplest car door design on the planet and has "just worked perfectly" forever.

On the Slate, for door removal to be a quick-n-easy job, it would require none of the air ducting, wiring and hinge stabilization you see on most any common car door. In pics and vids, the Slate's door hinge looks like a common door hinge, telling me door removal will be a tad more complex than I'm used to OR they're planning to redesign it all.

If redesign, hopefully there will be a convenient solution for wiring. On my Jeep's tailgate, which has the 3rd brake light mounted atop it, the wiring is handled with a low-voltage DC contact system that connects when the tailgate is closed, eliminating the need for wires to jump the hinge gap. It is dead simple and has worked perfectly for 27 yrs. Hopefully whatever Slate comes up with will be easy and reliable because I would love to still have easy door removal AND also power windows for the first time in 35 yrs (yes, BOTH). But I realize that most buyers would not be into driving around doorless (why? I mean, WHY?!) so most likely SA will go with a common design.

 

[SichuanHot]

Perhaps this decision is not yet final because the door design is not yet final. If the door will indeed be removeable, which is very, very appealing to me, I hope it will be an easy on/off experience like with my Jeep, which has no wiring or HVAC ducting of any kind jumping the gap and it literally takes just a minute to remove a door! It's the simplest car door design on the planet and has "just worked perfectly" forever.

On the Slate, for door removal to be a quick-n-easy job, it would require none of the air ducting, wiring and hinge stabilization you see on most any common car door. In pics and vids, the Slate's door hinge looks like a common door hinge, telling me door removal will be a tad more complex than I'm used to OR they're planning to redesign it all.

If redesign, hopefully there will be a convenient solution for wiring. On my Jeep's tailgate, which has the 3rd brake light mounted atop it, the wiring is handled with a low-voltage DC contact system that connects when the tailgate is closed, eliminating the need for wires to jump the hinge gap. It is dead simple and has worked perfectly for 27 yrs. Hopefully whatever Slate comes up with will be easy and reliable because I would love to still have easy door removal AND also power windows for the first time in 35 yrs (yes, BOTH). But I realize that most buyers would not be into driving around doorless (why? I mean, WHY?!) so most likely SA will go with a common design.

Unfortunately, I think you might be right. I tried to find Youtube videos that show the door hinge mechanism , but it seems to be glossed over in all the influencer type videos. I did find this still image though and it seems like it's a traditional hinge with the little pushrod arm that dampens the swing mechanism and further recessed hinges behind it. Looks look like there's a little electrical conduit between the door and main chassis that's made from a cloth type material instead of the usual rubber grommet we see on all cars. Of course that might change.

 

[Swinefuzz]

Unfortunately, I think you might be right. I tried to find Youtube videos that show the door hinge mechanism , but it seems to be glossed over in all the influencer type videos. I did find this still image though and it seems like it's a traditional hinge with the little pushrod arm that dampens the swing mechanism and further recessed hinges behind it. Looks look like there's a little electrical conduit between the door and main chassis that's made from a cloth type material instead of the usual rubber grommet we see on all cars. Of course that might change.

Yes, I've also taken many a pause looking over various vids and pics and the process looks complicated for door removal. If they're serious about that feature, a redesign is in need, otherwise almost no one will ever do it.

With what looks like a typical bolt-on design you see on almost all car doors, I think you would need to have one person stand and hold a door up while another person unbolts it. No good. What a PITA. That is not DIY-friendly.

The Wrangler's door hinge design is simple and primitive and perfect. You just remove 2 small nuts from the bottoms of the threaded hinge pins, pocket them, disconnect the door swing check strap from the jamb, and lift the door straight up about 3 inches and you're done. It literally takes a minute to do. I love how easy it is to pop doors off and on whenever I want.

Also, another thing I love is the adjustability of the check strap. It's just a simple polyester strap with notches sewn into it so you can adjust the door swing by shortening or lengthening the strap. It takes a second, no tools. I adjust mine often depending on parking situations.

If SA is serious about making the Truck stripped down and bare bones and simple, this would seriously be a cost-cutter for them and a huge convenience+++ for someone like me. It makes the vehicle more DIY-friendly, and more unique to stand out on the market.

Big downside is I don't know if a hinge like this would be compatible with their body panel design.

 

[metroshot]

Wonder how much a power window option will cost ?

I'd never really need it as it will be a commuter EV.

Reminds me of the Ford F100 manual truck I learned on with manual windows, manual side mirrors, no A/C and choke throttle knob!

 

[Swinefuzz]

Wonder how much a power window option will cost ?

I'd never really need it as it will be a commuter EV.

Reminds me of the Ford F100 manual truck I learned on with manual windows, manual side mirrors, no A/C and choke throttle knob!

I look forward to the price reveal. I doubt it's cheap, but you never know. I don't need them. I'm used to cranks. Out of several owned vehicles, all but one had crank windows. No big deal. But I don't have AC and flying down the highway and leaning over to crank the passenger window is not the best. I've promised myself my next ride will have automatic tx (SoCal traffic jams are brutal when you drive a stick) and power windows. I don't care about the AC.

I find it amusing people find the Slate's window cranks so "retro" and "charming" and "low tech." Young people. Yoots.