Slate full teardown after 160K miles

[AZFox]

How much will they rely on Amazon?

My guess: Very little

They're developing a web store where they'll take a cut of every third-party item that's sold that way.

However, here are some of my concerns; Parts will we be able to order standard parts (headlights, panels, seats, steering wheel) at a reasonable price?)

Remains to be seen. It would be pretty rude to offer an affordable vehicle and then price-gouge on parts.

@KevinRS makes a good point. Off-the-shelf commodity parts will be priced accordingly or bought somewhere besides their web store.

So if there's risk of price gouging it'll for Slate-specific parts. Doing that would hurt their reputation, so I would hope they'd keep prices reasonable and keep their customers happy that their affordable vehicle has affordable parts.

 

[KevinRS]

They don't need to price gouge. Any store where you buy stuff, the store takes a cut. They will do the same.

 

[E90400K]

I don't see where any parts are off-the-shelf. The headlights are not off-the-shelf. Maybe the wiper blades.

 

[KevinRS]

I don't see where any parts are off-the-shelf. The headlights are not off-the-shelf. Maybe the wiper blades.

So you think they had custom headlights designed and made, instead of choosing from one of the many 7 inch round LED headlights on the market?
Even the powertrain is an already existing unit, not custom.

 

[E90400K]

So you think they had custom headlights designed and made, instead of choosing from one of the many 7 inch round LED headlights on the market?
Even the powertrain is an already existing unit, not custom.

Yes, I think they are custom poly-plastic headlights and have been saying so for about 10 months or so. I've stated numerous times I think the headlights should be the (type) H6024 low/high beam 7" sealed beam halogen glass headlamps. If Slate wants to use an LED equivalent, then good too.

$25 at Autozone.

 

[KevinRS]

Yes, I think they are custom poly-plastic headlights and have been saying so for about 10 months or so. I've stated numerous times I think the headlights should be the (type) H6024 low/high beam 7" sealed beam halogen glass headlamps. If Slate wants to use an LED equivalent, then good too.

$25 at Autozone.

I see no signs that what they are using isn't one of those LED equivalents. a quick search finds many 7" round LED headlamps, with different lenses, some have DRL, turn signals, etc built in. It has been stated by Slate that they were using off the shelf parts wherever they could.

 

[E90400K]

I see no signs that what they are using isn't one of those LED equivalents. a quick search finds many 7" round LED headlamps, with different lenses, some have DRL, turn signals, etc built in. It has been stated by Slate that they were using off the shelf parts wherever they could.

That's the thing. For several months now I've searched the internet for 7" round LED headlamps and none of the images (about 25 or so) look even remotely close to the Slate headlamp. That's why I think the Slate uses a custom polycarbonate headlamp with proprietary mounting.

 

[bloo]

I wish they would use glass ones.

 

[Luxrage]

I wish they would use glass ones.

If someone makes a replacement that'd be one of my mods. All my cars with glass headlights have aged so much better than their polycarb contemporaries.

 

[NMNeil]

I wish they would use glass ones.

The headlights on my 1949 Ford 8N tractor are original glass, and still perfectly clear after 77 years.

 

[NMNeil]

I don't see where any parts are off-the-shelf. The headlights are not off-the-shelf. Maybe the wiper blades.

My concern would be if the battery pack quit.
Not something easy to ship so I wonder if you can take it apart and change out individual cells yourself. I doubt it due to the strong possibility of it going horribly wrong if you don't know what you're doing, which is already prevalent for truck repairs.

 

[IanNubbit]

All the more reason for Slate to also provide a paint formula that is best to use on the plastic body or sell a paint kit as an option instead of wrap.

My 2-cents.

Plastic dye would realistically be the most ideal solution...

 

[IanNubbit]

My concern would be if the battery pack quit.
Not something easy to ship so I wonder if you can take it apart and change out individual cells yourself. I doubt it due to the strong possibility of it going horribly wrong if you don't know what you're doing, which is already prevalent for truck repairs.

I actually contacted them through chat about exactly this. The basic answer I go is definitaly not under warrnty as DIY, unknown if they will service parts for the pack, or just the pack at this time, and same goes for parts availalability.

My guess is since it's a supplied component from SK-on, Slate won't have parts for it, because that is not their product. With that said, you could definitely find parts for the pacts once someone opens one up and sees what other vehicle use the same components (Munro, early tear down please?). All I really hope is the battery is gasket sealed and not glued, that single choice make a battery easy to repair to a huge pain.

 

[IanNubbit]

I don't see where any parts are off-the-shelf. The headlights are not off-the-shelf. Maybe the wiper blades.

It's just a standard 7" headlight. I forget who but someone had that confirmed on the forum from either a chat or from an interview. Loads of things are off the shelf from other suppliers though. The motor unit, the battery pack, the suspension components (besides the shock tuning), abs module, a/c compressor, evcu, all of these are components that can be seen on other vehicles on the road today.

 

[IanNubbit]

If someone makes a replacement that'd be one of my mods. All my cars with glass headlights have aged so much better than their polycarb contemporaries.

Been wanting these on my truck for some time, just not cheap.
https://www.amazon.com/IHNZCB-H4-9003-Headlight-Conversion/dp/B0CZ3W7BC7/ref=sr_1_6?sr=8-6

If Slate uses standard mounting for the lights like Jeeps, Or Miata's, or many bikes and classic cars, This is something I really think I would swap too.