Japanparts has the OEM under panel kit listed!

[switchlanez]

For those of you who installed these, before installing the longer front left and right panels you had to remove 4 plugs along each side closer to the rocker panels. Did these plugs have protective anti-chip/anti-rust sprayed over them? So you had to peel away that paint to remove these plugs, right? Did you leave the metal around those holes exposed when installing the panels?

[Ro_Ja]

Yes. I used an x-acto knife to carefully cut away at the coating just enough to remove the plugs.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by Ro_Ja

Yes. I used an x-acto knife to carefully cut away at the coating just enough to remove the plugs.

I'd go one step further and paint the exposed metal with some tough up paint.

[ayau]

How do you pull the side flips off? They seem to be on there pretty tightly.

[Ro_Ja]

Originally Posted by ayau

How do you pull the side flips off? They seem to be on there pretty tightly.

Clips*?

You can use a flathead screwdriver and pilers to yank and twist the hell out of them since they won't be going back anyway.

Or you can buy this:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...5260/N1693.oap

which is what I did (after cursing up a storm trying to do the job with pilers [which worked but was taking too long and was uncomfortable for me since I barely squeezed under the car]) and had each clip off in a matter of seconds.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by Ro_Ja

Clips*?

You can use a flathead screwdriver and pilers to yank and twist the hell out of them since they won't be going back anyway.

Or you can buy this:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...5260/N1693.oap

which is what I did (after cursing up a storm trying to do the job with pilers [which worked but was taking too long and was uncomfortable for me since I barely squeezed under the car]) and had each clip off in a matter of seconds.

The clips don't snap off. They just bend lol. I have the same metal tool.

[ayau]

Here are some pics. I still can't get them to come off.

[Hanakuso]

Originally Posted by ayau

Here are some pics. I still can't get them to come off.

Using a flat scredriver is a PITA, I only removed one with it and had enough, went and bought the plastic remover tool. You have the same tool Roja linked?

I got a flat screwdriver and removed the foam that was still attached to the plugs on the bottom of them. I found it much easier removing the plugs when they were totally clean of paint/foam. I also wrapped the plastic remover tool with electric tape so it didn't scratch up anything

[switchlanez]

Originally Posted by ayau

Here are some pics. I still can't get them to come off.

I scraped off the paint first, then I picked out the foam washer from under the pin, then I'd gently pry the pin just to peak while rotating it little by little til I could see a bit of one of the 2 locking wings (is that the word? see my basic illustration below) were. Once I spotted a wing, I pressed on it with a flathead (which partially "unlocks" it) while pulling down on the pinhead with pliers. With enough wiggling, I'd get most of that wing and center pin out and exposed. Then I'd wiggle violently to make the other wing bend and give way for the rest of the pin to come completely out. This method took me me about a 2-5 minutes per pin.

___
\|/ <-- "Locking wing" on left and right side of pin

[ayau]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

I scraped off the paint first, then I picked out the foam washer from under the pin, then I'd gently pry the pin just to peak while rotating it little by little til I could see a bit of one of the 2 locking wings (is that the word? see my basic illustration below) were. Once I spotted a wing, I pressed on it with a flathead (which partially "unlocks" it) while pulling down on the pinhead with pliers. With enough wiggling, I'd get most of that wing and center pin out and exposed. Then I'd wiggle violently to make the other wing bend and give way for the rest of the pin to come completely out. This method took me me about a 2-5 minutes per pin.

___
\|/ <-- "Locking wing" on left and right side of pin

Unfortunately I didn't see these "wings" until i practically shredded off the first clip. I did mar up the surrounding paint pretty good but added some touch up paint. Fortunately the panels cover more than enough of the exposed holes.

[phatpanda]

How much and where to buy?

[cslntuee]

It sounds like not a easy job.
Did they come with instruction guidance?
Thanks.

[Hanakuso]

Originally Posted by cslntuee

It sounds like not a easy job.
Did they come with instruction guidance?
Thanks.

No instructions but not needed. Straights forward installation, yet the clips can be a pain.

[solidONE]

Has anyone weighed the panels on a scale? For $1000 shipped, I think I can fabricate something out of aluminum for much less, but curious of the weight. I'd want to make it lighter if possible, or go a different direction by adding bracing to increase chassis rigidity if it can't be made lighter with metal.