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ID.4 frunk to fit a charging cable?

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#181 ·
Nai3t said:
First, props to @mochalatte for getting the ball rolling on an ID.4 frunk concept, and for getting a product to market first.

However, I installed my Frunk.at kit today and it's banging!
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Everything I've seen of it looks really nice. It is handy that it spans over to deeper space on the passenger side. And if your experience is anything like mine, I bet you don't see much water ever make it into the frunk.

How much was it with tax (if any?) and shipping?
 
#182 ·
looks great! How long did the shipping take to california? My kit shipped on 2/3 and its still "inbound into customs"


Nai3t said:
First, props to @mochalatte for getting the ball rolling on an ID.4 frunk concept, and for getting a product to market first.

However, I installed my Frunk.at kit today and it's banging!

The frunk snaps on to the black steel strut with four already-attached clips, and two rubber feet rest on other parts in the front compartment to stabilize it further. There is literally zero assembly required, and removal is equally quick and tool free.

The gas strut is ingenious. It takes a 10, 12 and 13mm wrench to install, and it's a 5-minute job if that (watch his video first). The hood mostly rises by itself, but is well balanced so that closing and latching the hood is barely any effort.

The frunk is small, but I've got my EVSE, electric pump, VW "breakdown kit," and folding lug wrench neatly tucked away, freeing up quite a bit of premium waterproof space under the rear hatch.

The frunk could ideally be made of a thicker, pliable nylon-type plastic, but this one is reasonable well made and I seems like it'll be up to the challenge if it's not handled often. I suspect frequent removal / reinstallation will take its toll, especially as stresses around the four attachment point bolts, and it's not the kind of plastic I'd want to leave laying around the shop floor to get kicked around. From that standpoint, @mochalatte 's creation wins for durability.

View attachment 21689

FRUNK.at's gas strut installation video.

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#183 ·
tonysunshine said:
looks great! How long did the shipping take to california? My kit shipped on 2/3 and its still "inbound into customs"
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I don't know whether he shipped mine on the 3rd or the 6th, but I received it on the 15th. It cleared customs in New Jersey on 2/10.

mochalatte said:
How much was it with tax (if any?) and shipping?
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$379 all told (frunk+strut+shipping). About $80 of that was shipping (€75). PayPal exchange rate. Customs didn't bill me for any additional import duties. But no VAT refund, either, which I'm accustom to with other overseas purchases.
 
#185 ·
Nai3t said:
I don't know whether he shipped mine on the 3rd or the 6th, but I received it on the 15th. It cleared customs in New Jersey on 2/10.


$379 all told (frunk+strut+shipping). About $80 of that was shipping (€75). PayPal exchange rate. Customs didn't bill me for any additional import duties. But no VAT refund, either, which I'm accustom to with other overseas purchases.
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Did they raise the price? Looks like now it would be €303 + €75 = €378 ~= $404 with the strut. Without the strut it looks like it would be €261 + €75 = €336 ~= $359.

The $160 I charge includes free shipping, but Etsy tacks on any sales tax your state is subject to. In any case, I'll keep offering my version at the same price. Price per volume it should be in the same ballpark. I think mine is taller but obviously doesn't cover as much footprint. Of the steps that it takes to make mine (marking, cutting, paint prep, and painting) the one that takes the most time is paint prep. I use one of those orange pumice cleaners and use a stiff plastic bristle brush attached to a cordless drill to rough-up the whole surface. I take my time to make sure I get all the nooks. I'm still able to justify the effort at $160, but I don't think I could stomach doing that work for any less than that.

And of course there is always the kit option if you are willing to pay $35 + your own "sweat equity".

But if price is no object, that one from frunk.at looks great.
 
#186 ·
mochalatte said:
Did they raise the price? Looks like now it would be €303 + €75 = €378 ~= $404 with the strut. Without the strut it looks like it would be €261 + €75 = €336 ~= $359.

The $160 I charge includes free shipping, but Etsy tacks on any sales tax your state is subject to. In any case, I'll keep offering my version at the same price. Price per volume it should be in the same ballpark. I think mine is taller but obviously doesn't cover as much footprint. Of the steps that it takes to make mine (marking, cutting, paint prep, and painting) the one that takes the most time is paint prep. I use one of those orange pumice cleaners and use a stiff plastic bristle brush attached to a cordless drill to rough-up the whole surface. I take my time to make sure I get all the nooks. I'm still able to justify the effort at $160, but I don't think I could stomach doing that work for any less than that.

And of course there is always the kit option if you are willing to pay $35 + your own "sweat equity".

But if price is no object, that one from frunk.at looks great.
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I have this etsy kit, but added the floor mat and weatherstripping, so price was a little higher. Then tack on the $30ish bin, and an hour of my time putting it together with my 5 year old son (longer with him helping :p ). Results are great - yes there's some more space that could be used, but its just enough. I can fit not only a small L1 charger in there, but I have put my Juice Booster 2 in there. Its tight, but it fits. Along with all the plug adapters, a tesla adapter, and some towing accessories. Very handy.

I'm in the "frunks are generally stupid" camp. I have 2 exceptions. In a pickup truck, a nice large frunk like the Lightning is great - you need secure dry space like that with a truck. And a small frunk for a travel charger is super handy. Otherwise, that space is the result of poor design and would be much better if the car was redesigned to move that space back into the passenger compartment where its far more useful.

So I'm glad to have my little frunk kit - slightly larger would be great as my Juice is a tight fit in there, but its enough.
 
#187 ·
mtc416 said:
I'm in the "frunks are generally stupid" camp. I have 2 exceptions. In a pickup truck, a nice large frunk like the Lightning is great - you need secure dry space like that with a truck. And a small frunk for a travel charger is super handy. Otherwise, that space is the result of poor design and would be much better if the car was redesigned to move that space back into the passenger compartment where its far more useful.
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I think your exception #2 is a great example of why every EV needs at least a EVSE storage frunk. We have a ton of EV owners who L1 charge daily in my work parking lot, whether it's the designated spots or plugging into a utility receptacle on the side of a building or a lamp post. These things sit outside for hours a day, all weather, and nobody wants to put that dirty and possibly drippy cord back into their nice clean trunk. I even keep baby wipes in my door pocket purposely for cleaning off my hands before I touch my light colored steering wheels in either of my cars, because coiling these grimy cords up gets transferred right into the car.

Image
 
#188 ·
Nai3t said:
I think your exception #2 is a great example of why every EV needs at least a EVSE storage frunk. We have a ton of EV owners who L1 charge daily in my work parking lot, whether it's the designated spots or plugging into a utility receptacle on the side of a building or a lamp post. These things sit outside for hours a day, all weather, and nobody wants to put that dirty and possibly drippy cord back into their nice clean trunk. I even keep baby wipes in my door pocket purposely for cleaning off my hands before I touch my light colored steering wheels in either of my cars, because coiling these grimy cords up gets transferred right into the car.

View attachment 21696
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Yes, absolutely agree. I think just about every EV out there that doesn't have a frunk at all could incorporate a small one for this purpose. Most have the extra room to be used, just need to design it in.

I just think a large frunk is mostly useless. It's a relic of ICEV design - rather than catering to that, we should use that space for one (or both) of 2 things. Locate as much of the mechanicals as possible here, with relatively easy access for servicing. Or design with less overhang in the front and make the passenger compartment roomier for the overall size of the vehicle. I think the ID did a little of both of these, which is smart.

Then just give me a small spot for charger or whatever, and life is good.

The Etsy kit would be perfect for the L1 evse scenario. My charger is significantly bulkier, so it's a bit of work to get it wrapped up into the smallish frunk kit, but it fits. My 23 didn't come with an evse, and I'm currently charging on the street at home until my new garage is built, so the juice booster goes in the back most days for now... And yes, that's often not the cleanest of tasks. Then I have to try to keep my white steering wheel clean as well (I have Cosmic interior). Once garage is built, the juice will live in the garage (other than on trips) until I get a built in eventually, then the juice will probably live in the frunk.

Def recommend the kit.

Image
 
#189 ·
Nai3t said:
I don't know whether he shipped mine on the 3rd or the 6th, but I received it on the 15th. It cleared customs in New Jersey on 2/10.


$379 all told (frunk+strut+shipping). About $80 of that was shipping (€75). PayPal exchange rate. Customs didn't bill me for any additional import duties. But no VAT refund, either, which I'm accustom to with other overseas purchases.
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Did they send you an email after it shipped? And if so, how long after you ordered the Frunk did it stay to ship?
 
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#190 ·
Steve R said:
Did they send you an email after it shipped? And if so, how long after you ordered the Frunk did it stay to ship?
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I ordered on the 30th. We were chatting on the 1st which is when he told me he'd ship it on the 6th. The tracking shows the 3rd as "Acceptance" but often that first entry is label creation, and that's the only timestamp until it reaches the US. He never sent a tracking number or shipping confirmation.

A few years ago I ordered a carbon fiber "trunk extension" (basically a rear frunk) for my i3. The package got delayed at customs in New Jersey, and after a month of waiting USPS delivered it broken into 3 pieces with a "we care, oopsie" damage notice. I hope that's not the case with yours – delays happen for other reasons. This frunk kit material is sturdy and the design is more compact and therefore more abuse-resistant than my trunk extension. But I still shudder when I see FOREIGN CENTERJERSEY CITY on package tracking.

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#197 ·
tonysunshine said:
wow what a great kit. Easy install and well thought out. Expensive yes. But it allowed me to clear out the compartment in the trunk and make space for a subwoofer(hopefully)
View attachment 21864
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Wow, that thing is big!

How difficult is it to remove for servicing? I'm happy with my little recycle bin kit, but great to see people maximizing their space.
 
#199 ·
tonysunshine said:
it actually just clips into the stabilizer bar. So 10 seconds install/removal
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Very nice. Def on the pricey end, but nice well thought out design.

Any concerns with great build up? I know EVs don't have to worry about that nearly as much in the front compartment, but still does get warm in there. Could that space be designed to aid in cooling, Ave these aftermarket frunks mess with that at all? Wouldn't imagine it would be a major effect, but just thinking if potential downsides.

If not, clearly VW should stamp this thing out for the like 2 bucks it would cost them to make at scale and offer it as an accessory, if not standard.
 
#200 ·
mtc416 said:
Any concerns with heat build up? I know EVs don't have to worry about that nearly as much in the front compartment, but still does get warm in there. Could that space be designed to aid in cooling,
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A year or so ago I posted about my findings after throwing a temperature logger in the compartment, during the tail end of the summer months, and there was no alarming temperature concern.

www.vwidtalk.com

Underhood/"Frunk" : stowage vs. airflow &amp...

So I just got back from the double check service appt at the dealer. They told me storing items under the hood is a "bad idea", but didn't say why or what the consequences might be. I've been keeping the L1 charger, extension cord, and jumper cables in the gaps under the hood for a few weeks. I...
www.vwidtalk.com www.vwidtalk.com
 
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