Pot Rivots or Sheet Metal Screws?

[MDAdams1186]

I just recieved my full body kit and want to start putting it on. I've read through all the articles on the 97-99 conversion and have talked to quite a few shops and random people.
I would love to get it done professionaly but the cost is more than I can afford. So I am going to try and attempt it myself.

I was just wondering whether anyone has used pot rivots to secure the bumpers and sideskirts on instead of screws or bolts? I have been told by a couple of people that they just used pot rivots in the fender wells to secure the bumpers and then I could just paint over them to blend them in. I definetely have my work cut out for me so hopefully the body kit will fit on pretty well, but that is wishful thinking.

If anybody has any other advice on installing a body kit it'd be much appreciated. I've been reading up on it like crazy and am just hoping not to run into too many problems. I just want to fit it on and get it all set then take it to go get it painted and put it back on. We'll see how it goes I guess.

 

[Defiant]

Some use "pop rivets".

 

[onepimpclipse]

Some use "pop rivets".

My sentiments exactly.

 

[MDAdams1186]

oh pop rivets...my bad...off to a great start on the install

 

[Red Recluse]

Drywall screws!!!

- I would use whatever factory parts you can (such as the bolts on the front bumper etc.

 

[Grimis]

factory parts are going to rip ya a new one, i had to get some things from satan, and let me tell ya, the rear bumper plastic clips that hold the L shape brackets on the corners so you can bolt to the rear fender area, $2.50 EACH, the plastic caps that are used on the side skirts where you put the screws in, $2.50 for 2.... Junk yard if you can... Good luck

 

[MDAdams1186]

Holy crap $2.50 each? That's like 50 dollars for all four fender wells.

Well I got the front and rear bumpers off after breaking just about every rusted bolt holding them on, put the head lights and tail lights on, got all the wiring harnesses set up and everything is working beautifully. Dry fit the bumpers on and wow what a surprise, they don't fit. Very noticeable gap under the head lights, looks like I have to cut and add more fiberglass to certain areas to shape it.
I am thinking about taking it to a shop to do that because all the labor for the most part is done, they would just have to fit the body kit, not even bolt it on or paint it, i would do the rest. So I'm gonna call around and check to see how much that is and hopefully I'll get my car back on the road in no time.

 

[Grimis]

yeah i got lucky i only need the 4 for the rear corners and 4 of the ones that have the screw head in the middle and 6 of the skirt ones. If you have pictures of the tail lights wireing , send them my way, I knew what ones was the reverse lights, but other then the corner and reverse, im lost there, no battery to test (engine/trans is pulled). Thanks and good luck on your kit

 

[MDAdams1186]

Well I dry fitted my bumpers only to realize they don't fit. I took them to a couple of body shops and they said there was really nothing they could do for them and to send them back. Stupid ebay!!! Don't buy the polyfiber body kits, they are sh*t. I bought a new body kit from Sport Compant Only, it's an AIT Racing FRP body kit, so hopefully it will atleast fit and be of good quality. But yeah, I'm down 1000 dollars on 2 body kits that I still have to have painted and everything, so that's what I get I guess.

 

[Grimis]

dang, $1k huh, that sucks, live and learn i guess. I found more problems with mine so more $$$ into it , got to love these 's.. Any luck on the info about your tail's how you got them wired up? Thanks.

 

[Defiant]

Any luck on the info about your tail's how you got them wired up? Thanks.

Perhaps in a different thread, about that topic.