IS300 Body Kit !!!
No.....
We're basically using an existing kit and making modifications to it. We alter the front fascia to fit the US spec kit, open up the brake vents in front, shorten the overall kit buy 1.5" for ground clearance, close up the front center opening, mold the rear lip to create a full bumper, alter the rear wing pedistals and polish/anodize the wing portion, and open up the side vents.... so you're right, it is a direct copy 
.... and I thought the community would be glad to have a kit made for the US spec cars.....
.... and I thought the community would be glad to have a kit made for the US spec cars.....
Originally posted by manaray
so basically you're manufacturing and selling a knock-off kit....
so basically you're manufacturing and selling a knock-off kit....
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,879
Likes: 4
From: Kaliforniastan
I mean don't get me wrong, it's nice to see a "US Spec" kit (though I think more people make a uncessarily big deal about this) but why not do something UNIQUE instead of just warming over an existing kit with mods that most body shops can do? If you're going to expend the effort, why not making something that is truly "your own"?
Also, what is the advantage (in your opinion) to doing a full rear bumper istead of an add-on (especially since it still LOOKS like an add-on) Doing an add-on would bring the cost down on the kit as most IS owners are budget conscious...
Also, what is the advantage (in your opinion) to doing a full rear bumper istead of an add-on (especially since it still LOOKS like an add-on) Doing an add-on would bring the cost down on the kit as most IS owners are budget conscious...
Last edited by Manaray; Jun 25, 2002 at 01:22 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 4
From: Pennsylvania
I dont know if they are really that cost conscious when it comes to bodykits... other things they seem to be.. but kits hell if you could push the kit for like 1600 with full fittin US Spec replacements that had the look of JDM kits.. I think ppl would take it... over a lip kit..or a JDM kit that u have to take out the crash bars,,,, and some of the lip kits need to get lengthend... ect... not a bad idea if you ask me...
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,879
Likes: 4
From: Kaliforniastan
From what I've seen, IS300 owners have a higher number of "knock-off" kits than other Lexus owners...which is understandable because many IS300 owners are former Honda owners and unfortunately, they carry their same mentality over to the IS300...
The advantage of the lip kits is that they are inexpensive, they're relatively easy to install, and you don't have to worry about the bumper differences...so IMO, if you're going to make a "lip looking" kit, you might as well just make it a lip kit except in rare cases like the AutoCouture SC kit...that kit saves the buyers from having to do a '97+ front bumper and the lip (but you still need the '97+ factory side skirts). Also, some factory bumpers aren't lip friendly (mounting locations, mounting difficultly, etc.)
As for the reinforcement bar, you usually just need to trim off the ends (takes 5 minues and 1 power tool)...I don't recommend removing it because if you hit a pole or something else that hits "between" the beams, then your airbag most likely won't go off...I would at the very least fabricate a bar to go across the two beams (the body should should be able to do it for cheap)
The advantage of the lip kits is that they are inexpensive, they're relatively easy to install, and you don't have to worry about the bumper differences...so IMO, if you're going to make a "lip looking" kit, you might as well just make it a lip kit except in rare cases like the AutoCouture SC kit...that kit saves the buyers from having to do a '97+ front bumper and the lip (but you still need the '97+ factory side skirts). Also, some factory bumpers aren't lip friendly (mounting locations, mounting difficultly, etc.)
As for the reinforcement bar, you usually just need to trim off the ends (takes 5 minues and 1 power tool)...I don't recommend removing it because if you hit a pole or something else that hits "between" the beams, then your airbag most likely won't go off...I would at the very least fabricate a bar to go across the two beams (the body should should be able to do it for cheap)
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,879
Likes: 4
From: Kaliforniastan
It's not that I don't like the design (although it's not my favorite for the IS...Hipposleek makes great Suburu kits but their IS kit is..eh...a little rice...I like the Wald kit personally), I just think that the efforts could have been better spent on making an original kit...and I agree, let the consumer decided....
...But don't be surprised if a lot of buyers buy a less expensive exact knock-off (which I acknowledge that your kit is not and exact knock-off) of the Hipposleek kit from someone like VIS or some other knock-off manufacturer...why? Because companies like VIS can make them for dirt cheap (though the quality is sometimes questionable...)
Also, I think you should skip the wing...this effort could have been put towards getting the rear bumper done or something...(this is what I mean by better spent effort).
I don't think American IS owners want to look like Hondas (though in the Midwest and theEeast coast, that might be popular seeing how most of the general buyers are about 2 years behind the West Coast in this respect...I mean they still do underbody neon...
)
Looks like you guys got about a 50/50 over on IS300.net...
...But don't be surprised if a lot of buyers buy a less expensive exact knock-off (which I acknowledge that your kit is not and exact knock-off) of the Hipposleek kit from someone like VIS or some other knock-off manufacturer...why? Because companies like VIS can make them for dirt cheap (though the quality is sometimes questionable...)
Also, I think you should skip the wing...this effort could have been put towards getting the rear bumper done or something...(this is what I mean by better spent effort).
I don't think American IS owners want to look like Hondas (though in the Midwest and theEeast coast, that might be popular seeing how most of the general buyers are about 2 years behind the West Coast in this respect...I mean they still do underbody neon...
)Looks like you guys got about a 50/50 over on IS300.net...
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 76
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Not to flame or anything, but that kit is just plain ugly. It looks like one of the many cheap "riced out" kits on the market for the IS. And that wing??...why would you put such an aggressive styled wing on an IS?? In my opinion, the IS looks MUCH better stock, than with kits like that on it. JMO.
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