Ebay/China Rocket Bunny Wide Fender Review

[KenTK808]

Okay I know what you're thinking, why the hell did someone buy a Ebay Rocket Bunny kit? Why would someone tell anyone they did? In before Ebay sucks, china sucks, cheap ass, get off our forum etc. A little back story, my car was vandalized at work and all the quarter panels were dented up. I figure if were going to have to re-paint the sides of the car, might as well go wide body. Insurance did not give me enough money to purchase real TRA Tokyo kit. I reluctantly ordered the Ebay wide fenders and hoped for the best. I paid $500 shipped from China to Hawaii. I am having the kit moulded onto the car at a local body shop and I will be helping my friends with the work.
The wides arrived today!

Here is a quick shot of what was in the giant box, minus some packaging.
First impressions is that it is really light. Everything together probably only weights 15 pounds. I don't know how much the real kit weights but maybe someone can chime in. I think the fact that the part is very thin will effect how it rides on the body of the car. Quality seems alright as far as china made FRP parts go. No noticeable imperfections anywhere on it, but you can see that it was hand laid. Surprisingly not as wavy as I thought it would be! I hope through body working and smoothing out the kit, it will add a little rigidity. Putting them up to the car you can tell right away there is small fitment issues. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND BUYING THIS KIT IF YOU ARE JUST GOING TO RIVET IT ON. Although the kit comes with a huge bag a rivets I feel that the material is too thin and it will chatter against the body and will also not resist damage. I think the fitment will be perfect after I mould it on as the china made kit is a little smaller or shorter in some places, allowing me to create a easy slope to the body when I use fiberglass filler. As oppose to it being perfect to every body line and no room to add a slope at the edges.
I do not in any way shape or form think that this kit is superior to the real TRA Tokyo kit. You get what you pay for and I hope my review will give others the opportunity to make their own informed decision about the kits.

Will keep you guys updated on the progress. I will post pictures of the fitment for anyone that is interested.
Update! Here's some closer shots of the flares.


I should add that these come with some kind of smooth plastic coating with primer sprayed over. The seller gives you a choice if you want white or black primer, I don't think it makes a difference.

Here is a picture of the back of one of the flares. I only have experience with fiberglass bumpers and side skirts so I don't know what higher quality or bad quality FPR parts look like. I would compare this to what D-Max or Origin 240sx parts look like, about the same thickness and consistency.

[KenTK808]

Space saver for pictures

[Red FRS]

Good luck, man. I'm very curious to see the results.

[J-W]

I really hope this works out for you! Some stuff out of China isn't too bad, just have to be careful. I've even thought about giving this kit a go from time to time.

[Ammonia]

Thanks for taking the dive for us, keep us updated

[Snowblind]

Real Review: Too cheap to buy real kit, plans to permanently modify car with made in China garbage. Should have bought 1995 Honda Civic instead.

[J-W]

Originally Posted by Snowblind

Real Review: Too cheap to buy real kit, plans to permanently modify car with made in China garbage. Should have bought 1995 Honda Civic instead.

Speaking for myself here, I'd rather spend the cost difference where it means something, i.e. power/handling upgrades. If I can find a way to get the look I want for pennies on the dollar, why the heck not? that's just my way of thinking.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by J-W

Speaking for myself here, I'd rather spend the cost difference where it means something, i.e. power/handling upgrades. If I can find a way to get the look I want for pennies on the dollar, why the heck not? that's just my way of thinking.

Most (or all) cheap/knock off kits will require WAY more labour at the body shop to work right and end up being more expensive than just buying the real thing in the first place.

Plus, all these knock offs are just stealing from the original manufacturers that did the work to make the original product.

[J-W]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Most (or all) cheap/knock off kits will require WAY more labour at the body shop to work right and end up being more expensive than just buying the real thing in the first place.

Plus, all these knock offs are just stealing from the original manufacturers that did the work to make the original product.

I see your point, but like the OP said, he'll be helping with the work saving on labor costs. As far as the companies being ripped off, I find it kind of hard to feel sorry for a company that charges more just because they put their name on something... yes, I understand you're also purchasing their guarantee and assurance that the parts are high quality and will fit. I'm well versed enough to fix just about anything on my car, so labor cost isn't a factor when purchasing parts.

[charged86]

hope it looks dope!

[YamahaR86]

Forgot all the haters OP. If I was in your shoes I'd do the same thing if my car was vandalized. The fact that you're molding it to the body instead of riveting it on makes me interested in the final product.



It's your money and do whatever makes you happy.

[plucas]

Originally Posted by J-W

I see your point, but like the OP said, he'll be helping with the work saving on labor costs. As far as the companies being ripped off, I find it kind of hard to feel sorry for a company that charges more just because they put their name on something... yes, I understand you're also purchasing their guarantee and assurance that the parts are high quality and will fit. I'm well versed enough to fix just about anything on my car, so labor cost isn't a factor when purchasing parts.

More has to do with the company putting the R&D into the product. Then a Chinese company ripping it off. The Chinese company can sell it for less because they don't have R&D money to recoup.

[J-W]

The company will recoup that cost whether or not somebody rips them off. The people that buy the rip offs are the people that usually wouldn't buy the real thing anyways, especially with the price gap we're talking about here. I'm not supporting the idea of ripping of other companies, but rather backing the guy who decided to give a product a shot even though it's a taboo subject.

[plucas]

Originally Posted by J-W

The company will recoup that cost whether or not somebody rips them off. The people that buy the rip offs are the people that usually wouldn't buy the real thing anyways, especially with the price gap we're talking about here. I'm not supporting the idea of ripping of other companies, but rather backing the guy who decided to give a product a shot even though it's a taboo subject.

I don't care that he is trying it. I was just stating that is why the "real" product always cost more.

I hope it all works out for the guy