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Aftermarket Key Fob - Billet? Carbon? Composite?

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Old 10-24-2017, 04:20 PM
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I'm interested! I can tell you aluminum interferes with RF signals. Had an aluminum case on an iPhone and got significantly worse cell signal, bluetooth connectivity, and wifi connectivity. To the point I threw the case away.
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Old 10-24-2017, 04:33 PM
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You can make it out of plastic and hydro-dip it to have several options. I have hydro-dipped several automotive items in the past two years and they hold up well and give the impression of a premium finish. That way you can have carbon fiber, different colors, camo, whatever you want. Just throwing ideas out there.
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Old 10-24-2017, 05:23 PM
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Originally Posted by jrwTN
you can have my idea.

I thought it would be cool to change it to the profile of crew cab truck, be especially popular with the Raptor crowd I would think. similar to the Telsa fobs.

now one really makes a super cool one IMO.
Fun! I'm not opposed to kicking something like that around.
Originally Posted by baldguy13
While carbon would be cool, I wonder if it would scratch too easily. Metallic might scratch other things too easily. Hmmm...

My biggest complaint is the size. If you can make it about half that size and lighter, it's easier to carry around in a pocket. My Harley fob is about the size of a pocket chip and super light... of course there's no buttons on it.
Yea, getting rid of the buttons would make things much easier. Perhaps for a 'stipped down' model, for those of us that never use the buttons (except to remote start, in the winter).
Originally Posted by riclar
I would like to see a thinner design, maybe with a pressure switch, finger depression, or heat activated switch would make the device slimmer.
Yea, the buttons aren't ideal, but I'm not sure if reconfiguring them will be feasible cost-wise. We'll see. Maybe I can mould them all into a single rubber pad.
Originally Posted by FlawedXJ
so. much. yes. As a mechanical engineer with access to super high resolution 3d printers, I've thought about doing this myself. Hell, I'd be happy with the FOB my wifes explorer has.

Seriously, if I can help, let me know. I'd love to retrofit the internals into something not so egg-like.
Thanks for the support! Will let you know if I could use some help. Our 3D printer is capable of 150 micron layer height, but I'm guessing SLS might be needed for final prototypes.
Originally Posted by antho
Would love carbon fiber ones.


Glad you guys are interested in this as well and greatly appreciate the input!

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Old 10-24-2017, 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Craig D
Yes, I would definitely love a new design. Good luck and I'm anxious to see what you come up with!

Originally Posted by BibLite
I'm in for this

Originally Posted by Johnnymossville
Very Cool idea. I just spent a small fortune having a new key made and it would have been cool to have something different.
Agreed. Looking into a replacement fob for mine was part of what got me thinking. Crazy money for those damn things.
Originally Posted by twolastnames
Why not make it out of Kevlar? Back in the day a guy made some custom smartphone replacement backs (when they were removable) and he had to use Kevlar because it doesn't block rf transmissions. I may be wrong, but I think you work with it similar to carbon fiber.
Yep, Kevlar would be a good alternative to carbon that wouldn't block transmission. I'll have to learn a bit about manufacturing with kevlar vs carbon.
Originally Posted by tareed94
I'm interested! I can tell you aluminum interferes with RF signals. Had an aluminum case on an iPhone and got significantly worse cell signal, bluetooth connectivity, and wifi connectivity. To the point I threw the case away.
Yikes. Yea, I definitely don't want to do anything that would degrade performance. Any drop in performance wouldn't negate any possible benefit in form factor, as far as I'm concerned.
Originally Posted by freman dave
You can make it out of plastic and hydro-dip it to have several options. I have hydro-dipped several automotive items in the past two years and they hold up well and give the impression of a premium finish. That way you can have carbon fiber, different colors, camo, whatever you want. Just throwing ideas out there.
I like it!

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Old 10-24-2017, 05:39 PM
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On the XLT and below does the key have to flip out, or can it be made to slide? If it can be made to slide, would that be a good design use of the spare key in the Lariat and up FOBs?

I don't personally mind the size of the FOB, but I would buy an aftermarket case if it reduced the weight of the unit noticeably. There are ALOT worse FOBs on the market, surprisingly a lot of Euro models that aren't sold in the US have very bulky units. I find it weird since they usually have sleeker designs on the other side of the pond.
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Old 10-24-2017, 07:58 PM
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A smaller fob would be nice. The size of the stock 2017 Lariat fob is simply onerous. Who the heck carries that around in their pants pocket?
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Old 10-24-2017, 10:28 PM
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Interested.
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Old 10-24-2017, 10:37 PM
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Awesome idea overall and you can count me in as interested. Personally anything that can be done to make it thinner would be appreciated (even if that means dropping the spare key inside).
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Old 10-24-2017, 10:53 PM
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I would definitly purchase one of it was smaller. I've been searching for an alternative since I bought my truck as I find the factory key fob too big and bulky.
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Old 10-29-2017, 11:18 AM
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Thanks for all of the interest! I'm currently working on getting my arms around all of the different key configurations (with and without remote start, tailgate drop, etc) and will move forward from there. Hoping to have some 3D scans of the parts next week, but SEMA may put a kink in that. Will keep you updated!

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