Build Quality

[CorvusCorvax]

Placed my pre-order and this will be my first EV. I'm a car guy and never imagined I would buy an EV,but the Slate really appealed to me with its simplicity, design, and customization concept.
The only concern I have at this point is that this cheap truck isn't built with cheap materials and questionable fitment of parts. I've mostly had high quality vehicles like my current 5th gen 4Runner and my old air cooled Porsche 911SC. I don't expect that level of quality but hopefully it is much better the prototype and pre-production models that have been reviewed by so many.

I see that you are a G-body 911 owner. Think about all the compromises we accept with these cars. Getting a good SC these days would be easily double what a Slate costs, and think about all compromises Porsche made with these cars. That sort of 80's quality would NEVER be acceptable on any car built these days. And remember, those cars were hand-built and finished, and were some of the highest-quality cars *of their era.*

I have no doubt that the low part count and the automated assembly will contribute to the overall quality of the final product. I'm betting $25000 on it, in fact.

 

[tubes]

They door shut sounded quality,

I noticed that too both in that video, and in the influencer videos, even when they didn't mention it.

I like my Subaru Legacy a lot. Great car for 16 years. But every time I shut that door, it sounds like an empty coke can on hinges.

 

[EV Trek]

Agree, but it would be nice to know how it was executed. That is what I can't stand about most internet automotive content creators, they really don't know shit about how cars are built and operate. LOL.

The sealing implementation is literally the first question I had upon first seeing the Slate and its intended SUV conversion design. All I can point to is Chevy's mid-gate design from the Avalanche. And I've never seen it.

I think that the midgate on the new Silverado EV does not have the same issues the Avalanche had. If I remember correctly GM expected it to leak and provided drainage for the water. But as we all know drains can plug then you have a real mess.
The top isn’t that big a deal, as I had a 77 Blazer and took it’s top off several times and it always sealed back well. But the midgate or the lower bulkhead is the real question as you said.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

Off topic a bit. Love my Maverick. But a build quality issue I and a few others have noticed after a three years is that the driver's door started making a snapping noise when thrown full open (note to self - don't do that). Turned out to be a bad spot weld, covered if you bring it in under warranty. Not covered after (like me).

I just put that out there as the type of quality issue you don't see when you buy the car. Of the first year. Or even the second. But you discover it the third year. And it's a multi-hundred to thousand plus dollar repair.

You don't know quality from videos. Or influencers. Or what Slate's CEO says. Or wishful thinking. You know it years after the fact.

 

[Nivek]

Off topic a bit. Love my Maverick. But a build quality issue I and a few others have noticed after a three years is that the driver's door started making a snapping noise when thrown full open (note to self - don't do that). Turned out to be a bad spot weld, covered if you bring it in under warranty. Not covered after (like me).

I just put that out there as the type of quality issue you don't see when you buy the car. Of the first year. Or even the second. But you discover it the third year. And it's a multi-hundred to thousand plus dollar repair.

You don't know quality from videos. Or influencers. Or what Slate's CEO says. Or wishful thinking. You know it years after the fact.

That's that made in Mexico quality.. I joke 😃.

 

[AZFox]

You don't know quality from videos. Or influencers. Or what Slate's CEO says. Or wishful thinking. You know it years after the fact.

Indeed. Early Adopters are taking some risks and presumably they know and accept that.

 

[tubes]

Indeed. Early Adopters are taking some risks and presumably they know and accept that.

It's going to be an adventure, I'm sure.

 

[EV Trek]

That's that made in Mexico quality.. I joke 😃.

The welding robot had too many tequilas at lunch that day.

 

[OldGoat]

It's all in how Slate takes care of us after the sale. When, not if, there are defects, they know full well not to tap dance or give us the run around. So I expect they will give white glove attention to early adopters in order to build credibility and loyalty. They only have ONE shot at this and from the staff they have aboard, I'm comfortable with my purchase. These people are resourceful, skilled and determined. There will be stumbles but they'll face the challenges. After 21 vehicles over the years, covering many models/brands, every single vehicle has it's weak points. Rust, clutches, transmission issues, trans coolers, head gaskets, 4WD trouble, seals,....wait! The Slate doesn't have these!

 

[tubes]

It's all in how Slate takes care of us after the sale. When, not if, there are defects, they know full well not to tap dance or give us the run around. So I expect they will give white glove attention to early adopters in order to build credibility and loyalty. They only have ONE shot at this and from the staff they have aboard, I'm comfortable with my purchase. These people are resourceful, skilled and determined. There will be stumbles but they'll face the challenges. After 21 vehicles over the years, covering many models/brands, every single vehicle has it's weak points. Rust, clutches, transmission issues, trans coolers, head gaskets, 4WD trouble, seals,....wait! The Slate doesn't have these!

As I was cutting the grass this morning, my mind wandered and I thought I should open up a thread here titled "They better get this right!". No need, because this thread, and your post says what I was thinking.

They have ONE shot indeed. They better get this right.

Being a startup, I would presume they all have private stock so people have skin in the game. That should help. But I will say I am a bit nervous about the website information at this point. I'm giving them some grace for now since they are running fast.

 

[AZFox]

It's all in how Slate takes care of us after the sale. When, not if, there are defects, they know full well not to tap dance or give us the run around. So I expect they will give white glove attention to early adopters" in order to build credibility and loyalty. They only have ONE shot at this and from the staff they have aboard

Well said.

"Most of the things I worry about never happen."

 

[E90400K]

I think that the midgate on the new Silverado EV does not have the same issues the Avalanche had. If I remember correctly GM expected it to leak and provided drainage for the water. But as we all know drains can plug then you have a real mess.
The top isn’t that big a deal, as I had a 77 Blazer and took it’s top off several times and it always sealed back well. But the midgate or the lower bulkhead is the real question as you said.

I've owned a pickup truck for nearly my entire driving life. Down hill park a few years old ladder frame pickup with a separate bed, the drain holes clog up at the front bed wall. The bed can fill with 10 inches of water after a decent rainstorm. Not an issue since there is no connection between the cab and the pickup bed. The water will flow out the tailgate gap once the bed is pointed down hill.

Now with the Slate, since it can be converted to an SUV, what is the sealing around the tailgate? Being an SUV, the tailgate should be watertight so no outside water gets in the SUV interior. But when it is a pickup, the front bed wall needs to be watertight to not let water in the cab, so if the tailgate is SUV watertight, were can the water that collects in the bed drain out? Does the tailgate kit include a rubber seal that is added to the tailgate area? Is the seal already there in the pickup version? If it is, then how will the pickup bed drain? And what configurations are the drains that they don't clog up? Keep the tailgate down for long items and the seal will eventually get torn up.

I've not yet seen anyone (cough... internet influencers) ask these types of questions. They are all so wowed by the transformer stuff, they don't think to ask how it actually works.

 

[007]

One of the videos showed how the frame has caged nuts for aligning body panels.

 

[EV Trek]

I've owned a pickup truck for nearly my entire driving life. Down hill park a few years old ladder frame pickup with a separate bed, the drain holes clog up at the front bed wall. The bed can fill with 10 inches of water after a decent rainstorm. Not an issue since there is no connection between the cab and the pickup bed. The water will flow out the tailgate gap once the bed is pointed down hill.

Now with the Slate, since it can be converted to an SUV, what is the sealing around the tailgate? Being an SUV, the tailgate should be watertight so no outside water gets in the SUV interior. But when it is a pickup, the front bed wall needs to be watertight to not let water in the cab, so if the tailgate is SUV watertight, were can the water that collects in the bed drain out? Does the tailgate kit include a rubber seal that is added to the tailgate area? Is the seal already there in the pickup version? If it is, then how will the pickup bed drain? And what configurations are the drains that they don't clog up?

I've not yet seen anyone (cough... internet influencer) ask these types of questions. They are all so wowed by the transformer stuff, they don't think to ask how it actually works.

Good question, I will assume, taking a chance here, that the Blank slate will have no tailgate seal, when you get the Suv Kit it will come with, hopefully, a seal kit that may be removable if you want to switch to truck mode. But I am just supposing here.,

 

[007]

I've owned a pickup truck for nearly my entire driving life. Down hill park a few years old ladder frame pickup with a separate bed, the drain holes clog up at the front bed wall. The bed can fill with 10 inches of water after a decent rainstorm. Not an issue since there is no connection between the cab and the pickup bed. The water will flow out the tailgate gap once the bed is pointed down hill.

Now with the Slate, since it can be converted to an SUV, what is the sealing around the tailgate? Being an SUV, the tailgate should be watertight so no outside water gets in the SUV interior. But when it is a pickup, the front bed wall needs to be watertight to not let water in the cab, so if the tailgate is SUV watertight, were can the water that collects in the bed drain out? Does the tailgate kit include a rubber seal that is added to the tailgate area? Is the seal already there in the pickup version? If it is, then how will the pickup bed drain? And what configurations are the drains that they don't clog up? Keep the tailgate down for long items and the seal will eventually get torn up.

I've not yet seen anyone (cough... internet influencers) ask these types of questions. They are all so wowed by the transformer stuff, they don't think to ask how it actually works.

Part of taking good care of a vehicle requires flushing out drain holes regularly. They are designed to get wet and drain. Do nothing and there will be rust and problems.