Body Customization Parts List

[Ktulu]

Which kit is the actual concept kit of the Malibu Cruiser? I've looked at dozens and all they show is the concept drawing. I hate to shell out a grand for a mock up if it ain't the real deal...

There is one made by Silk, Sorona
and one called TYPE-CRUISER BODY KIT

Thanks...
Clouseau

The actual concept kit like the one that was on the concept Malibu doesn't exist. The kit that is available is actually based on the concept kit and is very similar but is not an exact replica. All those companies you named above, all those kits are the same as the others, they are all versions of what has come to be called the "Cruiser" or "Concept" kit (even though it is not eactly the same as the original Cruiser concept as I said above).

You pick which company you want to buy from. Likely all, or at least most, of their Cruiser or Concept kits are exactly the same as they get them from manufacturers in China and stuff. The companies themselves don't make the kits, they just order them from the manufacturer or supplier overseas like with any other product you buy and sell them with their name on them. There are probably only a few manufacturers of the actual kit itself and they supply all the different companies that sell them. So, several companies will carry the exact same product because they got them from the exact same place. There may be some slight differences in the fitment depending on where the kit was made, but all in all it's still the same kit.

And remember that all the kits have fitment issues. The Cruiser/Concept kit is known to have some"gapping" problems.

[Malibu Glow]

Which kit is the actual concept kit of the Malibu Cruiser? I've looked at dozens and all they show is the concept drawing. I hate to shell out a grand for a mock up if it ain't the real deal...

There is one made by Silk, Sorona
and one called TYPE-CRUISER BODY KIT

Thanks...
Clouseau

The actual concept kit like the one that was on the concept Malibu doesn't exist. The kit that is available is actually based on the concept kit and is very similar but is not an exact replica. All those companies you named above, all those kits are the same as the others, they are all versions of what has come to be called the "Cruiser" or "Concept" kit (even though it is not eactly the same as the original Cruiser concept as I said above).

You pick which company you want to buy from. Likely all, or at least most, of their Cruiser or Concept kits are exactly the same as they get them from manufacturers in China and stuff. The companies themselves don't make the kits, they just order them from the manufacturer or supplier overseas like with any other product you buy and sell them with their name on them. There are probably only a few manufacturers of the actual kit itself and they supply all the different companies that sell them. So, several companies will carry the exact same product because they got them from the exact same place. There may be some slight differences in the fitment depending on where the kit was made, but all in all it's still the same kit.

And remember that all the kits have fitment issues. The Cruiser/Concept kit is known to have some"gapping" problems.

And the Cruiser kits offered out there have turned up as the worst ones on fitment over the body kits carried by Andy's Autosport. In fact the one kit I seen and was gonna help with looked so bad that the guy didn't bother to mess with it, the sideskirts were way too long and the quality SUCKED!

[clouseau]

Thank You Guys! Now it all makes sense... The actual concept vehicle body kit flows so much better from the sides to the back. The pictures of the kits offered doesn't have the same rake as the actual concept vehicle, they seem to look level all around. I'm not messing around with a poor fitting body kit, it's not worth the price they are asking for these concept kits...

[WidbyJ]

My car had the "concept" bodykit. Front was damaged by a curb at 30+ and has been replaced by a different style. Rear is still on and looks pretty nice (I frenched all the seams and re-inforced it). Never put on the side skirts as I have side exhaust setup. I thought the fit was pretty good (but I like messing with fiberglass). Only major gap was under the trunk which filled in nicely but most people wouldn't have noticed. It seems most people have better luck with fiberglass than the plastic kits, IMO.

Reality is that there is no 'True' Concept kit available and most of the options look too Fast & Furious. In any case be prepared to spend some serious quality time with your car if you want a body job to look good.

Best tip I can give: Once you get the front and rear pretty well in place get in touch with a good welder (I use a local guy who runs an exhaust shop and races 1/4 mile oval). For not a lot of time and money (I was charged 120) he bent 1" square tube into a "smile" shape to fit into the lower lip of each bumper. This we tweaked until it was shaped so that it would pull the area low down into line with the rest of the body (think kinda tucked in, not spread-assed). Pop rivets hold that in place to the fiberglass from the under/road side of the lip so they can't be seen. Then he fabbed two braces that come up from the "chin" bar to the subframe. It sounds worse than it is. The result is an almost perfect fit, strength and stiffness at speed (no fluttering) and some added protection (the car rode up the curb on the bar and saved the engine and trans).

Have fun with it! These cars are pretty easy to work with it's just the choices are a bit limited...

[heeroyue2002]

pix of it?

[adrian13]

UPDATE 3/1/2010

I talked to Bret at Dealership Designs and the 99-03 model lip kits he was selling for our bu's are finished. I tried to purchase it yesterday but he said that they were no longer making them and he tossed the molds for them about 1 1and a half ago.

Although if anyone really wants this kit I was looking into maybe a group buy from this company http://bodykits.reachlocal.com/coupon/?scid=1325616&cid=490713&tc=10030200462305656&rl_key=2d22565dfe7dcdafc6a520e098267d9e&kw=4357928&dynamic_proxy=1&primary_serv=bodykits1.reachlocal.net&se_refer=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252Fsearch%253Fsourceid%253Dnavclient%2526ie%253DUTF-8%2526rlz%253D1T4GZAZ_enUS254US254%2526q%253Dcustom%252Bbody%252Bkits%252Bfor%252Bcars&pub_cr_id=3823146159

Anyone want in????
I'll also post this in a different thread althogether