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This bumper is made to fit the stock crash beam, so you don't have to modify the stock one, remove it, or buy an aftermarket beam which costs between $100.00 - $300.00.
They make two versions:
1. This version which keeps the rear side light markers, ( my preference) as well as the stock crash beam and is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic.
Now, I don't know about you guys, but I would rather spend the $ 600.00 to $800.00 (unpainted like the two above) that it cost to buy a real JDM rear bumper on something like a dynotune, a set of tires, or something more useful mechanically.
My inner ricer will let you know how the fitment is on the FRP version that keeps the side marker. I live about an hour and a half from AIT.
Picked up the bumper last Friday and immediately began working on it during the weekend.
If you're fitting it yourself like I am you need a dremel tool and sand paper. I used 3M 100 grit to help contour the sides to the tail lights. The dremel tool is to shape the side marker holes and cut away a place to put the license plate and form mounting point access channels.
Take your time with this. If you have any doubts, just take your car to a body shop with the bumper and pay someone to do it. I always do as much work as I can myself because it's a great learning experience and I usually don't trust anyone with my car.
Durability: For a being an FRP bumper, this thing can take a beating. While I was working in the yard, the wind picked it up and tossed it across the yard onto some rocks and dirt. Nothing happened to it haha. On top of that, i've hit it against my garage door frame while walking to and from the backyard and not a single chip or crack appeared. It's a strong piece.
Fitment:
The short answer here is, as good as you are willing to make it fit, but you have to put in the work.
The long answer is, if you remove the stock bumper and just throw this one on without the mounting rails that you took off the old bumper, it will fit fine around the rear wheel wells and line up perfectly with the trunk lid and tail lights.
What I found to be the problem was the sides are a bit thick and need to be sanded down to sit flush with the quarter panels, otherwise they will stick out. Also, the exhaust needs to be lowered half an inch otherwise it will rub.
Overall, for 280 bucks picked up, I'm pleased with what I got. I know it's going to look great after paint.
Here is where I have it after about 8 hours of body work:
Here is the difference in thickness between the JDM rear and Stock bumper. This kit just takes the diffuser from the JDM rear and adds it to the bottom of the stock bumper with the mold characteristics of the JDM bumper.
It also doesn't have an obnoxiously large license plate hole opening like the real JDM one has. In fact, you have to cut the opening yourself!
Just got the AIT bumper back from paint and I will be installing it tonight. I'll let you guys know how it goes. For now, here are two painted pictures off the car sitting in the back of my mini van.
As with the OP of this thread, all comments welcome.
The quarter panel gaping isn't as good as OEM but it's pretty close. Everything else looks solid!
I also have to mention that I was rear ended a few years back and both my quarter panels had to be replaced.
Total Costs:
$280.00 for bumper + $250.00 for paint (Buddy discount) = $530.00 for a painted JDM bumper that fits over the stock crash beam and keeps the side markers.
Need to work on exhaust fitment next!
In conclusion, if you have the time and want to save some dime, commit the crime!
not sure if it was mentioned before but JDM rears don't have the side markers like the bumper in the ^^^ photos does. that's a dead giveaway.
Yes, one of the reasons I listed in my earlier posts on why I didn't buy an authentic JDM rear is because I didn't like that it eliminated the side markers. I really wanted to keep them. AIT also makes a replica JDM rear without the side markers, but I chose this one on purpose.
Yes, one of the reasons I listed in my earlier posts on why I didn't buy an authentic JDM rear is because I didn't like that it eliminated the side markers. I really wanted to keep them. AIT also makes a replica JDM rear without the side markers, but I chose this one on purpose.
in that case, everything looks good. fitment seems spot on.
Picked up the bumper last Friday and immediately began working on it during the weekend.
If you're fitting it yourself like I am you need a dremel tool and sand paper. I used 3M 100 grit to help contour the sides to the tail lights. The dremel tool is to shape the side marker holes and cut away a place to put the license plate and form mounting point access channels.
Take your time with this. If you have any doubts, just take your car to a body shop with the bumper and pay someone to do it. I always do as much work as I can myself because it's a great learning experience and I usually don't trust anyone with my car.
Durability: For a being an FRP bumper, this thing can take a beating. While I was working in the yard, the wind picked it up and tossed it across the yard onto some rocks and dirt. Nothing happened to it haha. On top of that, i've hit it against my garage door frame while walking to and from the backyard and not a single chip or crack appeared. It's a strong piece.
Fitment:
The short answer here is, as good as you are willing to make it fit, but you have to put in the work.
The long answer is, if you remove the stock bumper and just throw this one on without the mounting rails that you took off the old bumper, it will fit fine around the rear wheel wells and line up perfectly with the trunk lid and tail lights.
What I found to be the problem was the sides are a bit thick and need to be sanded down to sit flush with the quarter panels, otherwise they will stick out. Also, the exhaust needs to be lowered half an inch otherwise it will rub.
Overall, for 280 bucks picked up, I'm pleased with what I got. I know it's going to look great after paint.
Here is where I have it after about 8 hours of body work:
8 hours is a lot of time.... for me i could work those 8 hours and buy a new jdm bumper with money to spare and know it fits perfect
8 hours is a lot of time.... for me i could work those 8 hours and buy a new jdm bumper with money to spare and know it fits perfect
Not everybody makes $100.00/ hour my friend
I used to study more than 30 hours for final exams back in university. I thought if i'm willing to do that, the least I could do is allocate a portion of that length of time to something I enjoy doing.
I think it looks geat . There is a certain kind of satisfaction and pride when doing something with your own 2 hands that you just don't get when you pay someone else to do it for you. I didn't even know there was an option like this out there, thanks for sharing.
. There is a certain kind of satisfaction and pride when doing something with your own 2 hands that you just don't get when you pay someone else to do it for you. I didn't even know there was an option like this out there, thanks for sharing.