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At Rvinyl.com we understand that buying a body kit online can be a hard decision for any number of reasons and we want to reduce your stress level as much as possible. Whether it is the hefty price tag, the sheer number of styles and options to choose from, the fear of selecting a kit that will not stand the test of time or the reality that you may not be able to install a kit without professional assistance there are a lot of reasons to be hesitant. A quick search on the internet will yield tons of results showing that these and other issues are real obstacles one should consider before purchasing a kit online. Fortunately for all parties involved, one of the premier manufacturers of aftermarket body kits in the USA, Extreme Dimensions, has produced a video which walks you through the possible pitfalls one can encounter when buying a body kit online and how to successfully navigate them.
For anyone who didn't feel up to spending three minutes of their life watching the video above we have taken the liberty to summarize it for you as follows:
Tip: You should ALWAYS check for damage when you get the kit–even if the box looks okay and even if nothing seems out of place. If any part of the kit is damaged or parts are missing you need to immediately write this on the delivery slip or refuse delivery. While researching this article I stumbled across a few horror stories like those told by these Yelpers. Do yourself a favor and take this advice even if you ignore the rest.
PTip: If there is minor scuffing you DO NOT need to note it as this will not affect the final product when installed because almost any body kit you purchase will need to be painted and, many cases, bonded and filled in.
Tip: DO have these kits professionally installed as many kits will need to be modified to completely fit simply due to the materials from which they are made.
By following these three, simple tips you can pretty much count on getting the best bang for your buck and having a successful outcome at the same time. Still, when buying a body kit from a website it isn’t always easy to know which material to choose (and, here’s a hint: price may not always be the best guide). So, what do you choose?
According to a great article written by Justin Gazzara on CarID.com, the four main materials that one should consider when purchasing a body kit are:
ABS plastics are probably one of the most common materials found in the construction of most of today’s aftermarket accessories. Although I will spare you the details of how ABS plastic is made suffice it to say that it is impact and heat resistant while being chemically non-reactive. It is so durable, in fact, that it is the material of choice for many OEM manufacturers. When it comes to cost ABS kits are a great deal for the money, is easier to paint than fiberglass but it also much heavier and less flexible than the alternatives.
Polyurethane is a great material for body kits due to its unparalleled flexibility. Unfortunately, they are more difficult to produce and, as a result, are more expensive than ABS kits. However, if you’re considering doing a DIY installation (despite my warnings not to) then a polyurethane kit is the way to go, especially when compared to fiberglass. Best of all, unlike fiberglass, poly kits can withstand minor impacts without breaking so they are certainly a better deal for anyone who will be driving their vehicle on a daily basis (i.e., most of us who don’t have pure show cars).
Despite how much we have seemingly maligned fiberglass it is the most common material used in body kit construction for good reason. It is pretty easy to manufacture and is relatively inexpensive. Probably the most important thing to consider when purchasing fiberglass is the company you’re buying from because there are differing levels of quality and you certainly don’t want to be left with a cheap kit that will immediately crack out of the box. Also, if you go the fiberglass route you simply CANNOT attempt installation on your own. If you watched the video above you will note that even body shops with years in the business may not know how to install a body kit unless they have experience with aftermarket, fiberglass body kits so don’t waste your time or money by attempting it yourself.
Carbon fiber is the holy grail of aftermarket accessories. Again, I’ll spare you the details on the chemical composition but it is both incredibly strong and ultra-light making them ideal for performance driving and in race cars. For the rest of us, however, carbon fiber is really about adding the mystique and improving the aesthetic of our rides. In addition, they are, like poly kits, usually ready to be installed right out of the box without modification. The only real con about carbon fiber body kits is the fact that they are so darn expensive.