[Chrioboy2]

I'm alive! I am currently overseas studying intercultural medicine, español and developing social theories. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I did not squander.
Ill be returning from Ecuador on Sunday and as promised I will commence the second run, not before I review the changes in design. Replying to PMs right now.
Halo, did you get these figured out? I can shave down some tabs if you are still having trouble.

 

[Haloruler64]

I haven't been able to deal with the Chongos for a long while, barely drove the MR2. So I left the small Chongo, still with the brown film on it, in the driver's pillar. Over time it kind of... "set" itself to a nearly perfect position.

That being said, the top sticks out a lot. It's not an ideal look because of how it protrudes. And days after I took that photo it got a little crooked, so it will need constant adjustment it seems. It slowly slips out? Either way it helps a lot on the freeway.

 

[JCrome04]

Been super busy the last couple months. Finally got to play with the chongos... I do not like the "jammed in" look. Like it's pulling back the plastic trim.

The large have a better overall fit. It was my experience also with the smalls that the sharp top edge protrudes. It also seems the bent tab that slides in is too wide so they can't go in all the way.

I feel like they should be made from thinner plexiglass. After fussing with the largest and the smalls, it seems like the plastic trim has become slightly loose also....

Unfortunately I will probably not be using these. Glad I could be a guinea pig, and hope the next batch has a better fit.

 

[Haloruler64]

Gotta agree. The top corner sticks out so far. They really look jammed in and out of place.

 

[JCrome04]

So I've been doing a lot of thinking about these, and a better design. I think it would be WAY better to have a deflector attach to the door, instead of wedged in the pillar. Being almost 6'2" myself, it's a tight squeeze to get around it even if the fit was perfect.

My thoughs are...

A simple high quality UV scratch resistant etc... Plexiglass triangle. No bends. Have some type of thin metal bracket that can snake behind the door card and screw to the hole that's right by the hinge with the pop cover on it.

 

[dev]

I think it just needs to be revised a bit. The best way to do so is to copy the original Mongo.

My small Mongo deflector is next be being invisible to me and does not get in the way or is out of alignment.

 

[JCrome04]

Chrioboy, can you reproduce the original small mongos?

 

[Chrioboy2]

Thanks for the continued feedback. A couple of you have stepped forward, thankfully, to describe the issue you are having. My large set has not moved since I set it into place, this leads me to believe my clips are probably worn out because the top edge which sticks out on your car is wedging a gap in the A-pillar on my car.
I was able to reproduce the misalignment experience when I inserted the wind deflector from the top edge of the A-pillar and slide it down into position. This is the incorrect method for install because the tab length requires you to insert the deflector at about the same location as the finished desired position.
I have new push clips on order and will experimutilate a set of Chongos to make sure the next run does not flare out on the top edge during bending and I will find the correct tab length. I also found a new manufacturer with more experience.

 

[dev]

I have a set of small Mongos I can loan you. I wanted to go without them for awhile to see if my APR mirrors change the way the air flows into the cabin as it was reported by someone else.
If so I can be Mongo free.

 

[Chrioboy2]

Today I shaved the tab down a bit on my large Chongos. Luckily I had the correct tools for the job. Using a no. 7 hand plane and a file it didn't take very long to achieve results.
What was important and notable from the exercise was achieving a 1" tab that includes the bend, and cleaning up the entire edge to a slight radius. I thought doing this might throw off the alignment but it didn't because it is dependent upon final placement.

Afterwards I compared the shaved tab to a small Chongo and realized I removed about 1/8-3/16" of material. The finished effect was noticeable, I can fit my finger tip between the deflector and the window.

This image shows the wedge gap in between my A-pillar plastic and weather striping, sorry about the dirty floor mat.
I want to start production of the second run soon. Should I switch to the same thickness as the Mongo acrylic? Are smaller Chongos more desirable?
I want to find a way to rectify the situation for those experiencing difficulties, like an exchange program as I am sure the next run will be a slightly different design and size.

 

[Chrioboy2]

JCrome, in that last set of images you posted, your right chongo was on the left side for sure. Your tab looks too damn big on the large set. We gotta fix that.
Look this guy is showing us up /s
2mm is too thin .078, 3mm would be .118. We are currently using .125, the new material I'm looking at is .110.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF7sfOXlEHk

 

[Chrioboy2]

I spent some time with the Small chongos today. After reducing the tab to a respectable length I noticed a larger problem. The top and bottom edges flared too much because of insufficient material along the bend radius- they weren't sticking out very far but it was causing a pronounced wedging effect between the A-pillar. Tomorrow I'll take them to a bend grinder and remove the flared portions to see if this corrects the problem.

 

[JCrome04]

JCrome, in that last set of images you posted, your right chongo was on the left side for sure. Your tab looks too damn big on the large set. We gotta fix that.

Honestly I was playing with them for a while. It seemed to fit better than the other. They need to be labeled somehow. Or make one side obviously the bottom.

 

[Chrioboy2]

Honestly I was playing with them for a while. It seemed to fit better than the other. They need to be labeled somehow. Or make one side obviously the bottom.

Now I'm thinking you did have them correct. After shaving off the flared portions I was able to achieve a better fitment with less wedged appearance. Turns out the smaller Chongos needed a more acute bend angle so the bottom edge would align properly. I think the next run will definitely be slightly thinner material, I'm also thinking of limiting this run to mostly the smaller size. I have to redraw it and find a new cutting arrangement.

 

[Chrioboy2]

Folks, I'm going to begin production on run two of Chongo's very soon. This run focuses more on the smaller deflectors and issues regrading fitment. To resolve these dilemmas my new material is .095 versus the last material of .115. May not sound like much, but this makes a substantial difference when held in the hand. All Chongo's will now be thermoformed on a equipment built for this sole purpose. It was cheaper to build this equipment than pay for labor and be at the mercy of the manufacturer over fitment.
All Chongo's will now be shipped with replacement clips for the A-pillar. I'm testing a few Chinese made clips to see if they can meet the standards of my oem clips. This is important because our cars have aged and one of my clips has recently worn similar to JCrome's description. Having uniform clips will insure we are all having a similar experience. All folks having fitment issues will be issued a new set of Chongo's free of charge.
The new design for the Chongo's reflects the majorities interest in the smaller set, it is a refinement of that concept. Additionally, 6 sets of Chongito's will be available (micro Chongo's) and one more set of Large will be available for this batch. It's been sweltering hot these past few days and I will be restricted to late night Warehouse bending. Give me a few days to get this process and equipment down to a science and I'll take some photos.

 

[Haloruler64]

For what it's worth, you can be blasting down the highway at 80 MPH and barely feel the wind with the small Chongos. They are PLENTY effective, to the point where I didn't even bother testing the big ones.

 

[Southpaw]

Do you still have some? I want to get in on this. Smalls please.

 

[Chrioboy2]

Do you still have some? I want to get in on this. Smalls please.

Tonight i'll be tinkering with my equipment to make sure this batch is 100% up to snuff. I'll let you know very soon when I have some ready.

 

[Apokryphos]

I really need to get a set of small chongos before bear mountain next month. Please let me know when you have a set available

 

[JMR-SL]

I was fortunate to get a free set of small original mongo's when i bought wheels from another member here several years ago. They really do help with the wind hitting your face when driving with the windows down. Just my .02 for anyone curious about the effectiveness of these. Nice to see them being reproduced.