The problem with the Five Axis Body Kits

[flameSniper]

I just got the Five Axis Body Kit last week and it looks amazing...however, like what most of you were worried about, it's susceptible to scrapes and scratches. Just a few days ago, my husband borrowed my car to run and errand and he comes back and tells me he scratched the front lip pulling into a shopping center.

Mind you, they are small scratches which probably can be painted over but Toyota gave me a quote and said the cost to repair was going to be around $730!! And it's not like I can just get the lip replaced, Five Axis doesn't sell the parts separately (aside from the spoiler).

I've not decided what I am going to do yet but I may call around for quotes at other body shops. I just wanted to give everyone a fair warning especially those of you in LA like me.

[GuySmily]

That's how you learn how to drive a lowered car, lol. At least he hit the lip and not the bumper.

My first car was an 86 Toyota pickup, then I got a kitted 86 MR2. First day I had it, I went to park it and CRACK!! Busted the front lip.

Scratches are no big deal. If it actually breaks then you just replace it.

[terrypm]

I was told Five Axis would sell individual pieces under special circumstances like yours being damaged. They should not require you to buy a whole kit just for one piece.

[sbxjap]

Know what's one of the worse sounds in the world? The shattering of a fiberglass body kit.... Sounds just like in movies. Hit and run a few years got my Civic. I waved guy over, but he saw the damage and drove around a building so I couldn't see his plate.


If ur car is lowered, drive up certain driveways at an angle.... And sorry for the damage

[#87]

One of my favorite parts about owning an MT is when people ask to drive your car, you can just say its a stick. 90% of the time it works everytime.

[TylerLieberman]

Kind of funny to hear, "my husband borrowed the car and....." Not something you hear often.

Not to say women are bad drivers, but I normally hear the story the other way around lol.

Anyways, hopefully you can find a way to fix it without breaking the bank for a small cosmetic repair

[Mr.Jay]

don't let husband drive car and make him sleep on the couch until reparations are paid?

[flameSniper]

Yeah, it's going to be a painful learning experience to drive with a kit on. I've been extra careful and been avoiding anything that looks remotely steep! It's just unfortunate my husband misjudged the ramp thinking it was going to be fine to go over just by going slower.

Does anyone know if there's any type of guard we can put on the under body of a car? The sad part is that my appointment to install the 3M clear bra is this weekend T_T...little too late award there! I am also planning to get an opti-coat in few weeks from now.

[Scaldy]

There are allot of small tips that can be very helpful for driving a lowered car.

Here's a few I can think of.

1. Angle the car slowly over speed bumps or into/out of the driveway.
2.Use bubble mirrors to see where the curb is to avoid hitting it.
3. Avoid potholes etc.
4. Park short, avoiding the concrete stopper

That's a quick run through, I'm sure others can elaborate.

[eriktherod]

Ahhh, painful! This is probably the reason I'll never lower the car at all. I had a bunch of nice scrapes with the Civic once I lowered it a good 2".

Closest encounter I've had so far is pulling in too close to one of those concrete parking spot bars. The height was snug with the bumper on the FR-S, it barely made a noise. Needless to say I got out and checked, not even a scuff really. Too used to a shorter nose still!

[Midnight Run]

is your car lowered? please post pix of the damages when you get a chance.

[Calidrifter]

Was following my dad to work one day and we were going decently fast. He moved out of the way and there was a cone in the road. I had just had my R33 kit installed only 97 240sx and the lip completely shattered. It was heart breaking.

Later on the way to work my left rear tire blew out and cracked my side skirt. Stopped on the freeway and had forgotten that I had taken out my jack the night before as I was going to a drift day clinic. Luckily there was a girl at the 76 I drove to in an Altima that let me borrow hers.

Anyway, I traded my friend my spare OEM CF hood for his lip and cash so it was fixed right away. There will always be a way to get it fixed.

[Ocho-Seis]

I reverse in a lot. But I noticed. This car doesn't need a whole parking spot to be in the actual space....Ever thought about not pulling up the curbs and or stoppers?

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Ocho-Seis

I reverse in a lot. But I noticed. This car doesn't need a whole parking spot to be in the actual space....Ever thought about not pulling up the curbs and or stoppers?

+1. Regardless of the car, I never pull all the way up, I always center it in the parking spot as much as I can. With the FR-S that leaves at least 2 ft in front and behind it in just about any parking spot.