So I personally (not the company) sell a bunch of stock parts I've collected over the years. Every for sale thread I posted, I get numerous requests for Map lid pockets... I've never had a working one, never seen one in working condition (outside the car), Mazda doesnt sell them anymore (from what I've heard).

At the end of the day, these are still just a map pocket lid so I'm trying to keep cost down. My goal is not to create an indestructible, atom bomb proof map lip, but an improvement over stock, and (more) economical product.

This thread is strictly a product development as I'm just in the R&D stages. If my idea/concept works, i will put these into development. If all works out These will Definitely be under $125 but im shooting more for 95/105 range depending on its complexity/design.



I started out by just casting flat sheets of various resins. This just to get a base idea of the materials properties. So far i have a piece .18-.19" thick that is super strong. Currently im still determining my target thin I can make it while maintaining its strength.

Heres a video of me beating it against a table. Im hitting it against the table as hard as I can (while holding a camera) and there are no signs of cracks or any distortion. It actually began to hurt my hand due the vibration through the piece

(sorry for the poor shaky quality)

So I also got a broken map pocket lid donated from a friend to do some studying- I have to admit I've never seen a non broken map lid out of a car in the flesh. So after playing around with it- wow. this design sucks lol. My original idea of just strengthening the roll pin was out the window.

With that said, these are the problems we foresee with the map lid/solutions
Cracks- all the interior parts such as the map lid pocket, dash vents, etc are prone to cracking due the the heat. Our solution- using a resin with the Heat Deflection temps of 230*+
Roll pin- The plastic surrounding tends to take a lot of the stress causing a stress fracture in the plastic hinge. We'll be addressing it by reinforce the area and adding a screw in roll pin (so you will be able to install it without removing your door panels)
Spring tension- the spring tension on the cam is WAY to strong- this lies underneath the map pocket compartment, Ideally it replacing the tension would relieve stress but its one more piece that will need to be manufactured. In addition you need to remove your whole door panel to remove it (another chance for more of your plastics to break) Instead we're testing out the option to change the angle of the Cam that the spring rolls on- this will cause less pressure and less "kick" when it opens and closes (in theory)

Im hoping to have some prototypes before the end of next week as im leaving the country. Ill be in Malaysia for a month so I'm hoping to have a few with me to stress test them with the hot climate and freeze them.. hopefully they'll hold up!

 

I am very happy to see this!

 

If you need pics of any certain angles of an intact one, I can post 'em. It's not perfect, but it's pretty close.

Thumbs up for providing a much needed part for our cars! This is right up there with SBGs aluminum door handles.

 

Good!

Actually that would be great. if you can post a picture of the roll pin the would be great. im assuming it needs to be installed with the door car of and the pin is inserted from behind? (thats how i understand it at least)


UPDATE: So our shipment came in today (our hinge pin) And so far its working as planed! The dimensions and details need to be fine tuned but even with a crude mock up it seems to be working with great success.

Here's a quick video demonstrating the map pocket lid opening and closing. It may be hard to tell in the video but it is significantly easier to open and close the lid, this is due to the modifications we've made to decrease the pressure from the spring.

Still early in the early stages of development but its looking promising!

Please excuse me sounding like an idiot. I get i get stage freight and nervous making videos

 

Keep it up I'm interested to buy one!

 

Thanks!


Just using this thread to document
Stock map lid thickness- 2.25mm

We've added a little thickness to add more mass and strength approx. 55% increase at 3.5mm thick!

 

Do the humpty hump

 

Another map pocket lid? Aren't there like 3 other people on this forum making these? The factory map pocket lid works just fine if you just fix the pin (replace it with a screw) - I posted the "fix" for this back in 2010 if you're interested. https://www.rx7club.com/interior-ext...t-door-927140/

 

If there were, I didn't know about them and just happened to stumble upon this thread. I think it's a great idea and got to see some of Benny's products first hand this past year at Seven Stock. Everything I saw was VERY nice quality and I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a map pocket lid. I'll be watching this thread and you can count me in to grab one upon completion

 

Actually no, there is only one. Chips motorsports is the only company who has actually made these, SBG has been gauging interest for the past few years- which doesnt seem like they will meet their target # to begin productions. Even so, both companies end product is $200+ ($220 and $250 respectively), both are cast out of aluminum.

While an aluminum part is far superior then the plastic OEM lid, its not the only solution. I'm in no way bashing other companies but casting these out of aluminum carry's a heavy price tag, which not everyone is willing to pay.

Our goal Is to provide a replacement (which is no longer available) along with make some revisions to help extend its life (Durability, strength, and heat resistance) at a more economical price. Our target goal is under $100.

Yes I've seen your thread, but it only addresses one problem, the pin breaking. Its a great solution but does not "fix" the missing map lids or "re-assemble" the map lids that have shattered into multiple pieces. If I didnt receive multiple pm's for people asking for a map lid every time I post a for sale thread I wouldn't be making these. Clearly there is still a market for these if people arent buying them else where. I

Thanks for your kind words Aaron

 

God forbid someone tries to come up with something more affordable for our cars...

 

Can't wait to see the final product Benny! Keep up the good work!

 

Exactly! I do appreciate vendors offering products for our 20 year old cars but I have a hard time justifying the price on some of their products. Especially products that are non-essentials. At a certain point they need to stop claiming, "but we have so much invested in R&D". Really? Well then how about lowering your price point and selling in volume? As FD owners we are constantly getting nickeled and dimed to death, so budget friendly solutions are a welcomed change.

I think this is an excellent idea. I don't need a map pocket that is stronger than the rest of my door panel. I just want something that works. Keep up the good work!

 

tu che' thats exactly what we're trying to accomplish! Thanks

Small update, did a few test pieces...


First- As you can see, i goofed ahhaha, the first cast i took way to long and it cured before i could finish pouring (whoops)

Second- Better, but i didnt seal the mold tight enough that it started seeping out hence the dimples on the back side -- which are actually air pockets

Third- came out well! At its current state its still pliable, and can be easily twisted and warped. (I actually warped it because i got impatient and wanted to play with it ahahhaha) Once I post cure it, it will get its strength and heat resistance properties

fourth- still in the mold!

Please not this is a Prototype, it does not reflect the final quality finish. It was made to make study models to test durability and strength. The mold was done on a budget and will be revised, improved, and be remade if we do go into production.

More pics of the 3 casting.
(oops, warped it from my impatients)




The roll pin is a metal screw with threads at the top and smooth at the bottom. This allows less friction from the roll pin vs using a screw with threads. Also because the pin is a "screw" it is not necessary to remove your door panel to instal the lid =)

 

Great work! Will definitely be jumping on this when done.

 

Looks good Benny! Keep trucking!

 

The OEM lid works pretty well until you forget and put your weight on it while adjusting your seating position, causing it to snap into several pieces. My Chips aluminum lid has worked pretty well since then. And I might get one from Benny too lol.

 

Thanks guys!

Heres our last video we'll be posting/updating for a while. Ill be traveling for the next month but I'll be taking a few with me to test how the hold up in different temperature. Also ill be sending one to a friend to have him put it to some use. If everything checks out we'll open the Group buy.

Group buy will be from Feb- Feb 21.
Price will be $95
10-19 buyers =$85
20+ buyers $75

(After 2 hours, I gave up, sorry i sound like an idiot, stutter, and smell. I get stage freight and dont handle public speaking very well.... hahahaha)

 

Very cool product. My lid is also broken! I'll be in on the group buy when it starts.

Vince

 

Dam... You steeling our ideas, we have spend countless hours of R and D to develop our state of the art aluminum lid.. Etc.. LOL

Just joking, nice product.. keep up with the cool parts you keep making.

Thanks
Chip U

 

Hahah a video my friend made... he'll be testing it out. Ps i dont thibk he didn't install it correctly since it didn't look like he tightened the screw pin..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W7NdrgHrds&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

 

^lol good stuff!

 

Definitely in for one at that price point!

 

i want one.. especially if its under $200