Top Gear Video: Hands-on with customized Slate Trucks & reasons why SLATE will succeed

[mikell]

You want the Cargo Kit and extended battery. Me too. Although I’ll add a custom wrap, lift, and AT tires.

Would like opening side windows on the back too. I would probably buy a few of them.

 

[Sparkie]

I’m guessing the flip up dash panels are perforated enough to allow speaker sound through without muffling. Probably a fabric material.

I was thinking of simply removing the dash panel when mounting speakers and then snapping in a custom bezel to surround each speaker.
The more I learn about the Slate, the more I flashback to my Lego childhood -- all the more excited about getting one of these.

 

[The Dude]

Wonder how the composite panels will hold up in the Southern heat?

 

[skidoofast]

Wonder how the composite panels will hold up in the Southern heat?

Or the northern freeze - but if Saturns held up I’m sure this will too

 

[GreatLakes]

Some interesting facts/details (posted by @cadblu):

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... The option to have only driver side power window controls.
...[/QUOTE]

I hope it also works to only have power windows on passenger side, with controls on both sides.

 

[E90400K]

Honestly, I don't see how manual windows save any production cost. Nearly every car in the US has electric windows. I'd bet every car manufactured in the US has electric windows, which makes electric window mechanisms the majority of the window control systems used in the industry and inexpensive to source. I'd bet developing and manufacturing a manual roll up mechanism for just 150,00 cars is more expensive cost wise at this point.

If Slate is going to offer a DIY electric window kit, then they have already designed and developed a supplier for both mechanisms and designed the door frame to accept both mechanisms. The body electrical system must have the harness connection built in for a plug-and-play installation, or it will be a superior PITA to wire in the DIY harness kit.

I thought the idea here is to lower manufacturing costs by not having variation of the assembly process. So why not just have electric windows from the get go and not even develop a crank window mechanism?

 

[cvollers]

Honestly, I don't see how manual windows save any production cost. Nearly every car in the US has electric windows. I'd bet every car manufactured in the US has electric windows, which makes electric window mechanisms the majority of the window control systems used in the industry and inexpensive to source. I'd bet developing and manufacturing a manual roll up mechanism for just 150,00 cars is more expensive cost wise at this point.

If Slate is going to offer a DIY electric window kit, then they have already designed and developed a supplier for both mechanisms and designed the door frame to accept both mechanisms. The body electrical system must have the harness connection built in for a plug-and-play installation, or it will be a superior PITA to wire in the DIY harness kit.

I thought the idea here is to lower manufacturing costs by not having variation of the assembly process. So why not just have electric windows from the get go and not even develop a crank window mechanism?

They are sourcing a mechanical window mechanism already in production.

 

[E90400K]

They are sourcing a mechanical window mechanism already in production.

That's my point. They can just as easily source an electrical mechanism, which is probably cheaper than the manual crank mechanism because the auto industry uses millions of electric window mechanisms a year. Electric motors are dirt cheap.

If Slate has to plan for the DIY electric version and make it plug-and-play (one would assume) then they will spend the engineering to design it and buil the electrical infrastructure in the truck for it.

Slate should just go one way or the other if they truly are trying to lower production costs.

 

[Sparkie]

That's my point. They can just as easily source an electrical mechanism, which is probably cheaper than the manual crank mechanism because the auto industry uses millions of electric window mechanisms a year. Electric motors are dirt cheap.

If Slate has to plan for the DIY electric version and make it plug-and-play (one would assume) then they will spend the engineering to design it and buil the electrical infrastructure in the truck for it.

Slate should just go one way or the other if they truly are trying to lower production costs.

I plan to keep the manual crank windows.

 

[cvollers]

I plan to keep the manual crank windows.

Me too.

 

[slateya]

Me too.

👍 one more vote for cranking.

 

[BanjoBoy]

I would actually pay extra to have crank windows!😉Love them and the manual locks on my current pickup.