Air Suspension, Carplay, onboard cooler, double din radio, climate control, wi-fi, hands free liftgate, self driving, waffle maker...

AZFox

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The bone stock cheapest option is what I'd get.
I want a blank Slate.
Same, maybe with just a few niceties like Door Cubbies (convenience) and Front Light Upgrade (safety). Probably the under-dash speaker holder too (infotainment).

If it wasn't necessary to upgrade the front and rear bumpers in order to get Fog Lights I'd get those too (if the Fog Lights are white and not amber).

I originally thought un-blanking with All-Terrain tires was a nifty idea, but there are consequences I wasn't considering.

#BlankSlateLife will be a thing, although a lot of Blank Slate types of people don't use hashtags.
 

metroshot

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I make use of a DIY garage with lifts that is located not too far away. Have done control arm replacement. Front struts. Rear shocks and springs. Brake pads and rotors all around. Steering fluid. Brake fluid. Differential fluid. Oil changes. Cabin air filter I do in my driveway. :)

Favorite tools: torque wrench, breaker bar, and cordless impact gun.
That's nice if you have an ICE.

EV's are relatively maintenance free.

Most I have done over the 7 years of EV driving: tire replacements and wiper blades.

2 cabin air filter replacement under the glove box, wiper fluid refill without any tools.

No Brake pads - even after 70,000 miles!
 

Karl Childers

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Same, maybe with just a few niceties like Door Cubbies (convenience) and Front Light Upgrade (safety). Probably the under-dash speaker holder too (infotainment).

If it wasn't necessary to upgrade the front and rear bumpers in order to get Fog Lights I'd get those too (if the Fog Lights are white and not amber).

I originally thought un-blanking with All-Terrain tires was a nifty idea, but there are consequences I wasn't considering.

#BlankSlateLife will be a thing, although a lot of Blank Slate types of people don't use hashtags.
I like the idea of oem fog lights, but I haven't had any on any of my cars that were worth a damn. I have tried changing to led bulbs, etc. They still suck. Maybe it is my old eyes.

Slate Auto Pickup Truck Air Suspension, Carplay, onboard cooler, double din radio, climate control, wi-fi, hands free liftgate, self driving, waffle maker... 20250608_114547
 

cvollers

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That's nice if you have an ICE.

EV's are relatively maintenance free.

Most I have done over the 7 years of EV driving: tire replacements and wiper blades.

2 cabin air filter replacement under the glove box, wiper fluid refill without any tools.

No Brake pads - even after 70,000 miles!
Keeping my ICE (FJ Cruiser) so keeping all those tools. I have to believe the Slate suspension will need maintenance if keeping long term…maybe even upgrades if adding weight.
 

AZFox

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I like the idea of oem fog lights, but I haven't had any on any of my cars that were worth a damn. I have tried changing to led bulbs, etc. They still suck. Maybe it is my old eyes.
The reason I like fog lights is because they can be used as driving lights. They create shadows that make it easier to see irregularities in the road because they're mounted low.

Go to somewhere dark, turn on your headlights, then turn your fog lights on and off to see the effect I'm talking about.
 

cvollers

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The reason I like fog lights is because they can be used as driving lights. They create shadows that make it easier to see irregularities in the road because they're mounted low.

Go to somewhere dark, turn on your headlights, then turn your fog lights on and off to see the effect I'm talking about.
I really liked my fog lights on my Alltrack, but agree that not all fog lights are equally capable. Definitely helped when driving somewhere with no ambient light at night.
 

E90400K

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I am a DYI on basic maintenance. I like to change my own oil ( I am an amsoil snob, my flame suit is on) and usually do maintenance earlier than recommended manufacturer schedule. I don
I am not a DIY pro, but i am a certified you tube mechanic. I actually like to change my oil, (I am an amsoil snob, my flame suit is on) I am good for general tune up stuff. What i don't like about modern vehicles in general is the complexity of sensors and systems with parts that are very expensive and I have to take car 1/2 apart to get to part i need to change. My brother in law loves BMWs and is a good mechanic, but I see the specialized tools he has to buy, and I think he is crazy. I think this Slate is right in my wheelhouse and am looking forward to checking it out.
I was just pointing out there is this myth on the internet that modern ICEV are this major maintenance headache and infers EV are a hassle-free maintenance. Modern ICEV require very little preventative maintenance IMO. All cars break, even EV, based on most people's DIY skill set, EV are a new technology that will have a steep learning curve. It can be argued that ICEV do have more brake system maintenance, but brakes are about the easiest maintenance activity to undertake, behind an engine oil change. If one is into DIY maintenance, like I assume most Slate buyers are since they keep chatting up the DIY part of the ownership experience.

Just a pet peeve of mine.
 

cvollers

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See that's the thing, after driving ICEV for 47 years and doing most all my own maintenance and repairs, I'm already set up with a home DIY shop with a lift, air tools, and cordless tools., which I built over 20 years ago. I'd bet a lot of members here are pretty well equipped for DIY as well.
Outstanding.
 

Luxrage

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The reason I like fog lights is because they can be used as driving lights. They create shadows that make it easier to see irregularities in the road because they're mounted low.

Go to somewhere dark, turn on your headlights, then turn your fog lights on and off to see the effect I'm talking about.
The aftermarket sells a lot of "square" fog lights that I have seen people install into some of the cars in my fleet. If both of the front square panels are removable, I think they'd be a great spot to mount a pair of fogs. That's what I'd do. The only car I've had with fogs were on a Honda Fit and they were more of a style feature than functional LOL. But I knew someone with the 80s-style under-bumper rectangular lights and they did a great job.

Slate Auto Pickup Truck Air Suspension, Carplay, onboard cooler, double din radio, climate control, wi-fi, hands free liftgate, self driving, waffle maker... 1749430889854-69

Slate Auto Pickup Truck Air Suspension, Carplay, onboard cooler, double din radio, climate control, wi-fi, hands free liftgate, self driving, waffle maker... 1749430873130-wx
 

AZFox

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I was just pointing out there is this myth on the internet that modern ICEV are this major maintenance headache and infers EV are a hassle-free maintenance. Modern ICEV require very little preventative maintenance IMO. All cars break, even EV, based on most people's DIY skill set, EV are a new technology that will have a steep learning curve.
I'm pretty sure a Steep Learning Curve is deliberately designed out of the Slate.

I'm an EV n00b, but it does seem ICE vehicles do have significantly more periodic maintenance items, don't they?

Oil changes, spark plugs, fuel filters and air filters, coolant, belts & hoses...

That's not to mention various parts that can go wrong.

O2 sensors, knock sensors, ignition coils, radiator, thermostat, fuel pump, yadda yadda.

EVs require far fewer moving parts that can fail and mechanisms to maintain. I don't think that's a misconception.

Existing EVs have considerably more fancy-schmancy gimmickry than a Slate will have. Some Tesla models have Bioweapon Defense Mode. I've never really found a need for that. 🤷‍♂️

Some might call the Slate a Glorified Golf Cart on Steroids. Well, at least when it comes to maintenance and repair, that could be considered a compliment!
 

Benjamin Nead

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So, we're on the 3rd page of a thread that includes the words "waffle maker" in the title and I have yet to see someone posting a description of one. To rectify that situation, I present the Dash Mini Waffle Maker, which I think is perfectly proportioned to the Slate EV Truck . . .

https://bydash.com/products/mini-waffle-maker
 

cvollers

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So, we're on the 3rd page of a thread that includes the words "waffle maker" in the title and I have yet to see someone posting a description of one. To rectify that situation, I present the Dash Mini Waffle Maker, which I think is perfectly proportioned to the Slate EV Truck . . .

https://bydash.com/products/mini-waffle-maker
I have a mini waffle maker and love it. Perfect for camping!
 

E90400K

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I'm pretty sure a Steep Learning Curve is deliberately designed out of the Slate.

I'm an EV n00b, but it does seem ICE vehicles do have significantly more periodic maintenance items, don't they?

Oil changes, spark plugs, fuel filters and air filters, coolant, belts & hoses...

That's not to mention various parts that can go wrong.

O2 sensors, knock sensors, ignition coils, radiator, thermostat, fuel pump, yadda yadda.

EVs require far fewer moving parts that can fail and mechanisms to maintain. I don't think that's a misconception.

Existing EVs have considerably more fancy-schmancy gimmickry than a Slate will have. Some Tesla models have Bioweapon Defense Mode. I've never really found a need for that. 🤷‍♂️

Some might call the Slate a Glorified Golf Cart on Steroids. Well, at least when it comes to maintenance and repair, that could be considered a compliment!
Moving parts. Just because parts move doesn't necessarily mean they have a higher propensity to break. ICE are so well engineered they last the lifetime of the vehicle when properly maintained. EV have moving parts associated with propulsion, bearings, halfshafts, differentials, etc.

The EV battery has hundreds of non-moving parts that can fail, as well as moving parts. EV have coolant pumps, numerous temperature sensors, radiators, complex coolant diverter valves (Teslas use a 9-way valve with moving parts), a refrigerant compressor (i.e. pump with moving parts), tens of feet of coolant hoses just associated with battery temperature control (seriously critical to safety), let alone cabin heating and cooling.

Then there is the on-board battery charging system with hundreds of electrical components that constantly heat cycle. All have mean time between failure ratings.

Then there is the shitload of software to safely manage electrical energy input and output. EV are very complex vehicles, no less than a modern ICEV, just different.
 
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