I always liked the look of those Equipe tube bumpers, but it's not the best choice for me from a practical level. I stand on my bumpers too often, and sooner or later I'd end up slipping off the thing reaching for something.
This needs a bit more time in the oven, but it's getting there:
View attachment 56936
View attachment 56937
She's got a bit of an early '80s cop mustache going on at the moment, as they don't seem to have made the best use of the modularity; at least not when that was taken. The corners of the vehicle up there are almost entirely unprotected.
Obviously they're going for a "look" and light weight, and that's great, but finish the job. They're a couple of longer wings away from having something really interesting. I just question the locations and shapes of some of those holes, and I don't know what they're using to make the things.
Depending upon what it's made of and the overall weight, I wouldn't mind just having that center section to play around with; and then make the rest myself. It's got some similarities in concept with what I want to build, actually; though it's got quite a bit more "Call of Duty" going on visually.
I think they did an
outstanding job, but potentially for the wrong vehicle. The style features are more appropriate for a Toyota in general, and the width is clearly still for a D1. That last bit kind of defeats a major obvious purpose of the modularity. They've done it before, so I'm not sure what the heck they're getting at, there.
Trimming it on purpose where you can is good. Weight sucks. That said, it's obvious what they've done here. They've made a modular bumper, and then assembled the D1 version to hang from a DII, rather than using separate DII patterns for the sides. This strikes me as odd, because the primary benefits of modularity relate to design, production, and fulfillment. They've ignored that; instead calling it a feature.
You've got to give people a reason if that's supposed to benefit them, and if you can't think of one, make sure it's fully benefiting
you as a manufacturer.
One thing that's awesome is the ability to run the same center without a winch by dropping in a top plate they offer. It gives you a full box look (bumper won't look empty), and I should think some useful space if you're clever about it. If you get a winch, simply remove the plate. I know it's not rocket science, but it may as well be compared to other offerings.
It's a production benefit, but they're trying to sell it as a feature again. They don't have to manufacture two center section designs. They make the same thing, and the sell a separate cover. Done. Fuck it, sell plans for light mounts, an air compressor bracket... Use those modular mounting points as a value-added feature for the end user, or at least
point them out as a place to get creative.
Look, I know these guys have some fancy equipment and do higher dollar stuff; not everyone is going to be able to crank out all those little bends and cuts within any amount of financial reason. You'd have to be hooked up with a few different shops, and typically it's hard to get even two getting along well enough to share production.
So, I wouldn't expect that level of detail out of a smaller operation, but I hope to eventually begin seeing that level of
design again; slightly faulty or not.
I know that's polarizing as hell, and it's not perfect, but they really did put some effort in. I just wish they'd cross the finish line one of these days, or at least find out what they're missing and hire/buy it.
I find that company extremely confusing, but they're always doing something cool one way or other, whether or not it makes sense. That's a good thing.
Cheers,
Kennith