What are your personal MUST HAVE Add-Ons/Accessories for your Slate?

[GeoLogic]

To be sure, I'm not calling those who actually do interesting things with a lifted 2WD vehicle a poseur, I'm calling Slate a poseur for offering all of these additions with zero capability to back it up. It's patronizing, and I resent it. And that's not even claiming the Slate will ever be a real off-road capable vehicle, even if they someday offer AWD. I simply maintain that you should back the look with some semblence of capability. I liken a tricked out RWD Slate as the equivalent of a hypothetical consumer RWD Hummer (just a lipstick-on-a-pig Chevy Tahoe, and at least the real pedestrian Hummer offers 4WD). Such a RWD vehicle has no practical purpose other than satisfaction of look-at-me vanity. Fine if something serves actual useful purpose, I just never responded well to show offs. I'm too logical, meticulous, and practical-- Perhaps even to a fault.

Anyway, I demand at least an AWD Slate, because I'll actually use it. So some of my disdain here is based on personal disappointment that they're not bothering to offer this from the beginning. Blah, blah, blah... "We want to keep costs down". Fine. Still offer the RWD vehicle, and quote that price all day long. Put it up in skywriting if you wish. But also offer reasonable AWD as an option in your lifted Slate with knobby tires, instead of just a pagentry parade of hollow appearances. Toyota went 4WD in '79: Slate can't do so 47 bloody years later? Common.

 

[slateya]

To be sure, I'm not calling those who actually do interesting things with a lifted 2WD vehicle a poseur, I'm calling Slate a poseur for offering all of these additions with zero capability to back it up. It's patronizing, and I resent it. And that's not even claiming the Slate will ever be a real off-road capable vehicle, even if they someday offer AWD. I simply maintain that you should back the look with some semblence of capability. I liken a tricked out RWD Slate as the equivalent of a hypothetical consumer RWD Hummer (just a lipstick-on-a-pig Chevy Tahoe, and at least the real pedestrian Hummer offers 4WD). Such a RWD vehicle has no practical purpose other than satisfaction of look-at-me vanity. Fine if something serves actual useful purpose, I just never responded well to show offs. I'm too logical, meticulous, and practical-- Perhaps even to a fault.

Anyway, I demand at least an AWD Slate, because I'll actually use it. So some of my disdain here is based on personal disappointment that they're not bothering to offer this from the beginning. Blah, blah, blah... "We want to keep costs down". Fine. Still offer the RWD vehicle, and quote that price all day long. Put it up in skywriting if you wish. But also offer reasonable AWD as an option in your lifted Slate with knobby tires, instead of just a pagentry parade of hollow appearances. Toyota went 4WD in '79: Slate can't do so 47 bloody years later? Common.

 

[Luxrage]

Give me a Slate flareside. 😈

 

[Letas]

To be sure, I'm not calling those who actually do interesting things with a lifted 2WD vehicle a poseur, I'm calling Slate a poseur for offering all of these additions with zero capability to back it up. It's patronizing, and I resent it. And that's not even claiming the Slate will ever be a real off-road capable vehicle, even if they someday offer AWD. I simply maintain that you should back the look with some semblence of capability. I liken a tricked out RWD Slate as the equivalent of a hypothetical consumer RWD Hummer (just a lipstick-on-a-pig Chevy Tahoe, and at least the real pedestrian Hummer offers 4WD). Such a RWD vehicle has no practical purpose other than satisfaction of look-at-me vanity. Fine if something serves actual useful purpose, I just never responded well to show offs. I'm too logical, meticulous, and practical-- Perhaps even to a fault.

Anyway, I demand at least an AWD Slate, because I'll actually use it. So some of my disdain here is based on personal disappointment that they're not bothering to offer this from the beginning. Blah, blah, blah... "We want to keep costs down". Fine. Still offer the RWD vehicle, and quote that price all day long. Put it up in skywriting if you wish. But also offer reasonable AWD as an option in your lifted Slate with knobby tires, instead of just a pagentry parade of hollow appearances. Toyota went 4WD in '79: Slate can't do so 47 bloody years later? Common.

AWD is so easy to add to an EV- much more than ICE. I'm chalking it up as my Slate 2.0 Wishlist. Optional AWD, 300+ mi range, 4 doors. Compete directly with Blazer EV, Model Y, etc.

 

[cvollers]

AWD is so easy to add to an EV- much more than ICE. I'm chalking it up as my Slate 2.0 Wishlist. Optional AWD, 300+ mi range, 4 doors. Compete directly with Blazer EV, Model Y, etc.

Maybe by that time solid state batteries will be cost effective.

 

[Letas]

Maybe by that time solid state batteries will be cost effective.

For sure. Battery tech as a whole is improving! Li-Ion has dropped ~75% in $/KwH over the last 10 years. This is just the beginning.

 

[SichuanHot]

The first thing I'll do is add a dashcam and my own GPS tracker that interfaces with Home Assistant so I know where my little truck is at all times.

 

[Sniffy]

I was thinking the lift kit might improve visibility. Am I mistaken? My Ranger is a treat in that regard.

 

[Mad Mac]

Being slightly elevated
will definitely improve
your visibility of others.

A high vantage point
is one of the main appeals
of SUVs and pickups
in my... view.

As far as Slate conspicuity,
it might help a little
but my main fear
is the stealthy "shark skin" finish
amounts to urban camouflage.

There is a reason sharks look like that.
It's so they can sneak up on prey
without being seen.

My preference is conspicuity.
Most of my vehicles have been white
but I splurged on the Nacho Gladiator
and treated myself to a change of pace.

 

[Swinefuzz]

Tonneau cover, heated seats, heated steering wheel, not sure if it has automatic headlights. I have them now and they are nice but not a deal breaker.

Auto high beams is listed as one of the safety features:
https://www.slate.auto/en/faq

 

[Swinefuzz]

The radio in my pickup died a few years ago so I am literally already riding around with a phone mount and a bluetooth speaker. The only feature that I have not seen yet that I want is a tonneau cover.

I believe tonneau cover is confirmed

 

[Swinefuzz]

I’m in the nothing camp. I want the blankest blank Slate possible. I don’t even listen to the radio anymore anyway. I hardly ever use AC or heat here in SoCal, just roll the window down a little, so they can drop that, too, if possible. It cracks me to see every single car on the road with windows up and air running when it’s a perfect 70 degrees. Those base steelies are the best looking wheels btw. Simplicity is beauty.

I'm from Las Vegas originally, where it can get up to 130F in some spots. Moved to San Diego 22 yrs ago and I can't believe how people don't know what they have. Most of the year, it's great weather and almost everyone's got their windows up and AC cranked when it's 72. Me, I'm running around in a topless, doorless Jeep 9 months of the year. Cheap air conditioning and the rush of a magic carpet ride. People make me sad.

 

[Swinefuzz]

This right here- a double din mount and wiring pigtail for head unit would probably put a lot of us at ease. Just the option to install a conventional stereo. I don’t mind running speaker wire, but at least stereo power and a convenient spot to pull power for a small amp or powered sub.

dash is designed to accept double din and head unit prewiring confirmed

 

[Swinefuzz]

Reading some of these requests like heated seats, steering wheel, leather seats, lumbar support, etc . . These people are looking at the wrong truck. Maybe a Tesla will suit their needs better. My first car was made in the 60ies so just A/C is Huge

I disagree. All the big carmakers make huge profits selling cars loaded with feature packages. Customer has little choice. I LOVE adding and modding and personalizing and constantly refreshing my ride. That's a big part of why I love this Slate concept. Virtually no features whatsoever for me to waste my money on only to pull it out and replace it, like a crappy stock stereo and speakers which always suck. These people are definitely looking at the right truck.