| Installing an Air Dam and Bumper Cover on an SUV |
From "Car Care & Repair"
episode CCR-102 |
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Like fender flares and running boards, a front air-dam and matching rear bumper-cover help give an SUV a rugged, aggressive appearance. With an after-market body-styling kit, you can give a stock factory-model a limited-edition look without paying a deluxe price. In this demonstration, we install a bumper cover and air dam on a 1998 Ford Explorer XLT. Kits similar to this one are available for most current models. Materials: Body-styling kit including parts and mounting materials
Sandpaper
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) cleaning solution
Socket-wrench set
Electric drill
The parts you need are available as a kit and come from the manufacturer unpainted in a black matte finish. They can be installed unpainted if you prefer a plain look. They'll simply need to be cleaned and treated with a sealer as specified by the manufacturer. If you wish to paint them to match your vehicle or (as in our example) in a contrasting color, however, the manufacturer recommends that you have them professionally painted at a body or auto-paint shop. The kind of paint needed for these parts is specially formulated with flexors and hardeners so that it won't crack or discolor. At the paint shop, the parts will be treated with chemical cleaners to remove the wax-based mold-release additives. They are then scuffed with sandpaper so the paint will adhere properly to the surface. After a second cleaning to remove dust or residue, the surface is prepared with a catalyzed primer before the paint and clear coats are applied. After they've been painted, the parts are allowed to cure completely before they're installed. For ease of installation and better viewing, our installation was done with the vehicle on a lift. The installation can also be done using a floor jack and jack stands (figure A). For added safety, chock the wheels (secure with a block or wedge) at the end of the vehicle opposite from where you're working.
Installing an Air Dam - With the vehicle on a jack and jack stands (or on a lift), remove the standard factory-installed air dam. The original part is held in place on the front bumper by several bolts and plastic tabs. Unbolt the air dam from the lower portion of the bumper and remove it (figure B).
- The new air dam has dimples that correspond to the positions of the plastic tabs on the old air dam. Drill pilot holes in the center of each of the dimples, then use those pilot holes as guides to drill a 1/2-inch hole at each of those locations. On this particular model, there are 13 holes in all.
- Tip: Use a block of wood to stabilize the air dam from underneath as you drill each hole (figure C).
- With all of the holes drilled, install the air dam onto the bumper. Install all 13 bolts and nuts loosely so that you can then make any minor adjustments to the installation before securing it completely.
- Once you have verified that the part is centered and positioned properly, tighten each bolt securely using a socket wrench.
The air dam is designed to accommodate optional fog lights (figure D) if you wish to install them.
Installing a Rear Bumper-Guard - Remove the plastic pad in the center of the rear bumper (figure E). This is the only part that needs to be removed for installation of the rear bumper-guard.
- To prepare the area of the underside of bumper-guard where mounting tape will be applied, first clean the area with methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). Next, scuff the area with sandpaper. Finally, follow up with a second cleaning using MEK.
- Clean the area of the bumper where the new part will be attached using MEK.
- Apply double-stick tape to the areas that will attach to the bumper. Leave a couple of portions of the tape backing hanging off to serve as pull-tabs (figure F).
- To install the part, position it, making certain that it is aligned properly, then pull the tape-backing away (figure G) as you press the part firmly onto the bumper (figure H).
- Important: These installations were performed in keeping with the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the body-styling kit. Follow the instructions provided with your kit. There may be some variation in techniques according to the brand or style. Follow all safety precautions, including those dealing with the chemicals used for cleaning and preparing the surfaces.
Click hereto download a PDF illustration showing installation of an air dam on an SUV.
Illustrations may be viewed by using Adobe Reader®
RESOURCES :
Xenon Body Styling Kits
Xenon parts are available from
American Best Car Parts, Inc.
2891 Via Martens
Anaheim, CA 92806
Toll-free: 800-999-8753
Phone: 714-732-1709
Fax: 714-632-2738
Web site: www.teamxenon.com
Vehicles provided by McNelly-Whaley Ford Lincoln Mercury
750 Dolly Parton Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: 865-453-2833
Web site: www.ford4u.com
The 2000-2005 World Outlook for Automotive Parts and Accessories
Model: 0585390703
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
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