How to Install a Wide Body Kit
Installing a car body kit is a significant financial and time commitment. This includes the front and rear bumpers as well as the spoilers as well as the side guards as well as the paintwork. Aftermarket parts will replace any original equipment components. A lot of times, the car will need a little tweaking to fit the new kit.
It’s critical to take your time and double-check every aspect of a project that significantly alters a vehicle’s appearance; otherwise the end result will appear sloppy and cheap. While you can install some kits yourself, it’s always best to leave it to the pros. How to find the right kit and how to get it installed are explained here.
Step 1:
Go online and look for the body kit you desire. When searching for a body kit for your vehicle, use your favorite search engine on a regular basis. Spend some time looking at examples of the look you want to achieve and keep track of any company names that come up frequently so you can refer to them later. Even if you don’t want to use an online application, you can create a folder of photos for inspiration and reference.
A list of the top ten manufacturers of kits for your specific vehicle should be made. There may only be one or two options for rarer automobiles. You should read as many customer testimonials as you can about each product. Make sure to look for customer reviews about how the kit fits, how difficult it is to install, and any issues that may have arisen after the kit is installed. For example, a kit may cause tire rubbing on the body or excessive wind noise when driven quickly.
Step 2:
A kit is the next step. Remember to keep in mind your car’s model and layout when you order the kit you ultimately choose to buy. Depending on where the model is sold, the actual dimensions may be different. If you’re placing an online order, you’re better off calling and speaking with a representative. Before making a purchase, ask any questions you have. They’ll be able to tell you how to set it up and whether or not a non-professional can do it.
Think about the tools you’ll need to put the kit together. A variety of tools are required, from screwdrivers and wrenches to cutting and welding.
Step 3:
Check the equipment. Inspect each and every piece of the kit to make sure that it not only fits your vehicle, but that each piece is symmetrical. In order to get a general idea of how long and wide each piece is, lay it out on the ground and hold it up to the factory part. Before continuing, if any pieces are damaged or defective, replace them.
There are a wide variety of body kits and styles available to today’s customer, and each one has its own quirks and issues. Fitting is required, as kits are rarely perfect and the panels can become misaligned after a car has been driven for some time. There are a few steps that are nearly universal for each car and each kit.
Installing the parts of the kit is the first step. The pieces of the kit must be painted before installation if you are not painting the entire car. Make sure to get the paint code from the manufacturer if you plan to color the kit parts. You should wax and detail the rest of your vehicle once you’ve installed the new parts to make it look like a cohesive whole. Parts from the kit will be installed in their place after the factory parts have been removed in Step 2. Bumpers and side skirts/rocker panels are common examples.
This may be difficult or even impossible to do on some vehicles, depending on the make and model. To avoid making a frantic dash to the store every few hours, research the process for your specific model in advance.
Step 4:
Wipe down all exposed areas. Make sure to use degreaser to clean all surfaces that will be receiving new parts. This will keep dirt and grime from accumulating on the body parts. Lay out the body kit in this step. To ensure that the holes, screws, and other components of the kit are aligned correctly, place the kit’s components next to the locations where they will be installed.
Step 5:
Assemble the kit’s components. If possible, begin by attaching the front bumper to the vehicle.
• Note: On some kits, the side skirts need to be installed first to avoid overlapping with the bumpers, but installing the front first and working your way back will help the entire kit line up and flow with the car.
Adjust the front until the headlights and grille are in place. A little trial and error may be necessary. Make sure the side skirts are installed and aligned properly with the front bumper. Inspect your rear bumper and side skirts to ensure they are aligned properly. Take a step back and look at the big picture. Make a decision on whether or not to move any pieces.
Step 5:
On kits that use screws and adhesive, there is an additional step to complete.
A grease pencil can be used to mark the outline of the kit pieces after they have been installed and adjusted to their proper positions. Install the body kit components one at a time using adhesive strips and double-sided tape. This time, make sure that they are securely installed to withstand the rigors of driving on the highway. Once the double-sided tape is applied, make sure the parts are perfectly aligned.
Locate a shop
Your car may be too difficult to disassemble at home for you to install an aftermarket kit, in which case you will need to find a reputable shop. The first step is to do some homework on possible retail outlets. Using the internet, look for shops that specialize in both installing body kits and working with your specific car model. Check out customer feedback. Look for ones that mention the cost and turnaround time in their ad copy.
Consider shipping costs if you decide to take your vehicle to a shop in another part of the country, as the best work may be done there.
If you can, find a store with a good reputation that’s within driving distance. For some models, you may have to settle for good reviews rather than a good turnaround time or a final price quote because there are so few shops that can perform the modifications. Try looking at some of their previous work to get a sense of how good it is.
Step 2: Have the vehicle towed to the shop. You can either bring the vehicle to the shop or have it shipped there. Do not leave out any essentials. The complexity of the body kit, the scope of the modification, and the quality of the paint all factor into the turnaround time. It could take a few days for the body kit to be installed if the car is already painted and the body kit is simple. Having to repaint a kit but keeping the car’s original color will add time to the process. Expect it to take between a few days and several weeks.
It can take months to complete a complicated kit or a lengthy set of modifications. It will take a lot longer to repaint the entire vehicle than to have the pieces painted the correct color from the start.
It’s important to keep in mind that these times are based on how long it takes to complete work on your vehicle. It’s possible to be in line with a large number of other customers in busy stores.
Check for alignment as the first step. Make sure the new body kit is compatible with the new wheels. Greater wheels may be required to avoid an unsightly gap.
You don’t want a lot of room around the wheel or a lot of fender overhang. You should get a wheel/tire combination that is large enough to fill the fenders without rubbing against them when the suspension springs up and down.
Step 2:
Measure the height. As you’re driving around, be sure to keep the bumpers and side skirts at a reasonable height to avoid excessive wear and tear. Make sure you can occasionally clear a speed bump if you decide to have your suspension lowered in conjunction with a body kit installation.
The driver’s vehicle’s ride height can be adjusted with air suspension. When driving on a smooth road, it will be able to sit lower than when driving on a bumpy one.
It’s best to take the car for an initial test drive to see how it performs before making any adjustments. Try several times before you get the hang of it.
Before paying for your new body kit installation, make sure you are completely satisfied with it. Once you have paid and driven away, it is more difficult to negotiate any changes.
How to Install a Wide Body Kit