Camel Trophy Brush Guards

[Robert]

Well, there's not much money in bumpers. Many have tried and many have failed. Consumers are cheap, steel is beyond expensive, and fab takes time. The bumper companies that survive are the ones that build them overseas for cheap and sell tons of them. Boutique CT replica brush guards don't really fit into that mold.

There are a few of us that are willing to make it worth this guy's time, perhaps, but it's not a real ongoing business.

Bingo. I know a few people at a decently successful domestic bumper and accessory company and they say they only do new product development on current model vehicles, old stuff isn't worth the effort.

No sane person would pay what it cost me to make a disco replica brushguard, and while the defender brushguard is much simpler, things like the wire mesh skyrocket the price. My SWAG is around $500 for materials alone at a low volume purchase. A couple hours of welding, amortizing the fab equipment, CAD time, jig, plus finishing and it'll be a $1400 brushguard from anyone who barely values their time.

Just out of curiosity, anyone know the distance between the end hoops? I wonder if its a commonly available bend radius, if not then it'll never look right with garage fab equipment.

 

[WreckITFrank]

At this point all I want is a proper technical drawing so I can go back to having one made. I'm sure we could convince someone in the group who has a good sample to have it done up. Crowd sourced funding would ease it along.

 

[chris snell]

@Frenglish — is Steve open to making more for a group buy?

 

[Robert]

I'd need access to one to get any more accurate, but if someone with one wants to redline it I'll update as necessary.

 

[Frenglish]

Sounds like you're destined to see a shipping container full of them (and an invoice) show up randomly and they'll act like it's been a perfectly normal transaction, which in terms of UK customer service, may be true.

Hahaha... This is so true. This is the way it works with a lot of businesses on the other side of the Atlantic, My wife is sitting next to me (English) and having been on the trip with me meeting Steve, and reading this comment.. Just says.. (YUP!... thats exactly what will happen)... Sorry but its sort of funny.

Something maybe I wasn't clear enough about in my original message, (and I in no way am speaking for Steve,) but Brownchurch is essentially a one man band, him and his wife. The company closed. But there is still demand, so he is entertaining all of us by making parts still and in some ways seeing that there is passion here and some demand for product. So he makes parts when it is viable for him to do so. All this interest seemed to be a bit of a surprise to them and so we find ourselves in a place now with a man who closed a "big business", and now makes the parts for us enthusiast almost word of mouth and in batches.

The brush guards though...

@Frenglish — is Steve open to making more for a group buy?

I would say so! as we (the wife, Steve and his wife) talked about "the large camel brush guard order from RN" he was very aware there is demand and it was enough for him to get the wheels of production greased again. even if he was a bit perplexed people even cared about that bumper anymore..

I think if RN is running lead on this as Z.G. said his purchaser is, then we should know more soon. If RN is out, then I can pop in and give him another visit my next time through that part of the UK, or if I can be of use some how please let me know, I could even facilitate trying to get it done.. BUT.. I absolutely do not want to step on anyones toes as it seems RN, and ZG have something going already and I absolutely do not want to muddy those waters.

I feel I am a guest here, just as impassioned about this as you all are. as for my experienc with steve, I just have the luxury of living a lot closer at the moment. and stopped in to pick up some parts and say hello where one conversation led to another and all were positive.

That said.. are more people interested in making their own, or having Brownchurch make them? (Likely the last batch to ever be made by them/him)

 

[Robert]

probably closer to this based on winch location in pictures.

and that girly style curved bar is definitely a different radius than the hoop ends. I'd bet the actual late CT brushguards production that had this feature were made by RG and not brownchurch, similar to when the disco brush guard radius changed.

 

[donb]

Sounds like you're destined to see a shipping container full of them (and an invoice) show up randomly and they'll act like it's been a perfectly normal transaction, which in terms of UK customer service, may be true.

I've heard the costs of containers have gone up a lot (granted this is from bike company/shop people) and heard a quote of $20k for one now vs $5k just over a year ago. I'm sure that's the price from Asia but I would hope Brownchurch would look into the costs before sending one over.

 

[chris snell]

The product is most love to see is the original CT style and spec (10 gauge?) in a "weld your own" semi DIY setup. I can weld but I don't have a tube bender or water jet to cut plate.

 

[Robert]

if there's actual interest in that I could set something up. dont have a 6" clr die yet (on the to do list) but do have the 4.5 clr and mandrel setup for the front tube.

I'd need someone to verify measurements first.

and it would be 11 gauge, not 10

 

[Ephry73]

Looks good. Personally, I would (if I could) angle that curved bar above the winch up and add two tubes one at each side to tie up with the main bumper for actual integrity and strength, rather than just cover the winch. This will increase the access to the winch area, and type and size of winch you can use, as well as make the whole thing stronger and actually usable. Just my .02

 

[Robert]

Got it a little closer, looks like the front bar is 60 degree angled on each side and 5" offset from the main hoop

 

[DiscoDavis]

I have a genuine brownchurch manufactured, camel trophy used late version (curved winch guard tube, not flat) brush bar available for measurements/verification if need be.

 

[WreckITFrank]

Got it a little closer, looks like the front bar is 60 degree angled on each side and 5" offset from the main hoop

I dig the combo warn/husky in the render. Was there any specific accommodations to fit the Warn way back?

 

[Scottyoh]

If someone wants to email (sales@safarigard.us) either a 3D model or an accurate technical drawing, I'll see if we can get them done in a timely and cost efficient manner.

 

[erover82]

If someone wants to email (sales@safarigard.us) either a 3D model or an accurate technical drawing, I'll see if we can get them done in a timely and cost efficient manner.

This project seems like a good fit for your shop and the best way forward. Hats off to the other guy/thread for moving forward with it, but the price is getting too high for a brush guard, even a very good one. Point ZG's dozens of pre-orders to SG, a name that people recognize, and you've got the volume to get this done efficiently.

 

[Scottyoh]

We're on board for moving forward with this. Started a separate WTB ad for anyone who has one of these.

 

[Z.G]

I was recently approached by a company that was able to reproduce these at a cost that may work for retail sales around $1200 or so. The photos of the prototype look fantastic, just waiting to see it in person.

 

[DiscoDavis]

I was recently approached by a company that was able to reproduce these at a cost that may work for retail sales around $1200 or so. The photos of the prototype look fantastic, just waiting to see it in person.

This is the flat bar or round bar one?

 

[Z.G]

This is the flat bar or round bar one?

Round bar, I dont believe we'll be doing a flat bar

 

[D90CA]

Does any one have the trophy Husky bumper for sale, new or used?