[IslandGrlTeg808]

So I've been waiting for my valences for 3 weeks now and they finally arrived. I spent $115 shipped to me and this is what I got... exactly as I picked it up from the PO.

Crappy packing but I really can't complain because the shipping was free. So I opened the package to discover that it had no hardware. I guess I'll have to hit up a DIY store.

From what I understand the rear valences are supposed to be ABS plastic. I don't think it is. Its a bit flimsy and nothing like the abs plastic on the oem sideskirt. I put it up to my car and the fitment sucks. It doesn't sit nice and flush.

I was wondering... for those of you with aftermarket replica rear valences... how did you go about installing yours so there's no gaps? Any help you can provide me with before I start this project would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Zeromaz]

mine were a bit more expensive than yours, and made of carbon fiber... you may have just picked a bad egg. the edge that wraps into your wheel well should be tapped just like the fender liner or a front lip would be, and for the other side of the valence, should be tapped where it tucks into the bumper, i´ll post pictures up later to show you exactly what i did. mine line up rather well, and are snug. you may have a problem getting yours to do the same. goodluck

 

[dyingwish]

The small gaps in fitment should be hidden by weatherstripping, so it's not quite a big issue. Replica never fit OEM, as for hardware was it supposed to come with them? If it wasn't go to the hardware store and buy something to fabricate brackets to securely hold it on.

 

[IslandGrlTeg808]

^^Yea, I would love to get some kind of weather stripping to seal water from getting in and to make it seem like its sitting flush. Plus too, I don't want the plastic to etch into my bumper paint. There is no protection between the valences and the bumper. I'm not sure if my DIY store here has it... its pretty pathetic for a DIY store.

The valences are simply explained as far as where the screws go because is already pre-drilled. I was just wondering if anyone else had purchased a simular product (plastic) and what they did to better the fitment. But I would love to see what your's looks like.

 

[dyingwish]

For the weather stripping (OEM valences come with it) you ca pick it up from a Toyota dealer, its the stripping from the front lips extensions for a Corolla.

 

[nate2k5]

if they are flimsy then they are either abs or polyurethane.

shipping my have been "free" but you got railed, those can be had here in the states for around 75 shipped

 

[C_Rock77]

Where'd you pick these up?

 

[IslandGrlTeg808]

I got these from one of our sponsors... tunerzimage.

I just checked my local DIY store and they didn't have the proper hardware that I needed or anything close to it. So I'll just have to keep looking around.

As far as getting railed since I was purchasing from a TI sponsor I thought it would have been just tad better quality over ebay. But I just did research and seen that they are one in the same... Made in Taiwan.

Its ok, learning experience.

 

[nate2k5]

i though tunerz sold them for less than that. oh well gl finding hardware

 

[vtec_99]

^^Yea, I would love to get some kind of weather stripping to seal water from getting in

why would you be afraid of water getting in?

if water doesn't go in from the top, it's gonna go in from the bottom - especially where it meets the edge of the bumper and all the water, dirt and crud gets flinged in from the rear wheel.

as far as hardware goes - visit your nearest home depot and pick up a couple of furniture type metal brackets.. usually made by stanley.. as far as screws go, pick up some self tapping screws. all in all, should cost less than 10 bucks.. about 2 dollars per bracket and 50 cents worth of screws

 

[SFrymyah]

my replicas are fiberglass. like what you have, the fitment is not perfect, but i can work with it.

you have two options to cover up the poor fit, both involve weatherstrip.

1) go to the toyota dealer and get some. ask for the weatherstipping for the fender flares that come on the tacoma. i had to get some for my old truck, and it would have worked awesome in this example. you'll also get significantly more than what you need.

2) Go to Autozone and get the black door ding guards. i have them on my car now. the fit is extremely tight, but very good once you get it on there, and its also a little more rigid, compared to the really flexible toyota stuff. its also the perfect length.


that said, both look a little different. the Toyota stuff is a little slim while the door guard is more rounded off. My vote goes to the door guards, simply because of my experience. No matter what you do, if you intend on getting side skirts, or already have them, buy the one that matches of the side skirt stripping closer.


as for attaching, i used rivets for mine, and i wish i could have done it a little different. i had to put rivet right in the peice that turns back into the black part on the bumper itself because i was scared of the whole thing getting caught and breaking itself off and it was pretty flemsy anyway. since you went ABS, yours are probably a lot stiffer than mine anyway

 

[IslandGrlTeg808]

Well vtec_99 as I stated above I have already checked out my nearest DIY store (no HOME DEPOT IN ENGLAND) and there wasn't anything I could use. I know exactly what I need. Finding what I need is a different thing all together. But, I'm sure I can get some self tapping screws... just need to make a special 45 minute trip to my nearest nut & bolt specialist.

That is true about the water but my main concern is the plastic etching into my bumper.

nate2k5 - they probablly do sell them for cheaper to TI members but I couldn't find a thread for them to get a discount. I guess I could have called them to see if I could get a discount like how I did with my LCA's.

 

[IslandGrlTeg808]

SFrymyah,

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I won't be able to put these on here (UK) but as soon as I get to the states I'll get them on. Thanks guys for the heads up. I really appreciate it!

IGT808

 

[Zeromaz]

IslandGrlTeg808, i have a pic of mine in my profile.. it´s not the best angle or picture of them but it´s all i found for now. sorry i couldn´t help more but you can get an idea how it looks since you said you wanted to see them. they fit really snug and i don`t have weather stripping on them like some other people are saying to do. im an honest believer in spending more money for better quality, i´ve been screwed too many times, especially from ebay.. i´ll never buy from there again. just my experience, goodluck

 

[TegTyme]

I bought pair in fiberglass and the fitment is VERY Bad. one is worse then the other. I dont know how its possible that a company would release such a bad product. I mean, the valences only function is to fit flush on the back bumper; how hard is that? Apparently its very hard cause all I hear is bad fitment stories on ANY oem replica valences.(except the CF ones it seems

 

[IslandGrlTeg808]

IslandGrlTeg808, i have a pic of mine in my profile.. it´s not the best angle or picture of them but it´s all i found for now. sorry i couldn´t help more but you can get an idea how it looks since you said you wanted to see them. they fit really snug and i don`t have weather stripping on them like some other people are saying to do. im an honest believer in spending more money for better quality, i´ve been screwed too many times, especially from ebay.. i´ll never buy from there again. just my experience, goodluck

Thanks Zeroman,

Yea I didn't go the ebay route. I just compared my purchase to that of ebay. If I new it was going to be poor quality you have got to know that I would have passed on it. Heating abs plastic might help like you suggested. That is a good idea. Thanks a lot!

 

[IslandGrlTeg808]

Well the winter rain is starting to fall so there will be no chance for me to finish that project this year. I don't exect another warm sunny clear day until I get back to the states. Winter's here in North Yorkshire last about 5-6 months out of the year. Nothing but rain, mud, wind, sleet, more rain, mud and wind.

All the advice and tips will be heeded as soon as possible. Mahalo nui loa!! Thank you very much!!

IGT808

 

[RHD_Rich]

damn... i was thinking about picking the valances through them also

 

[IslandGrlTeg808]

damn... i was thinking about picking the valances through them also

Don't be discouraged. I may have just gotten a bad one. The next one they send out just might fit better. I'm not trying to knock their products, I was mearly sharing my experience.

The bad thing is is because I opened the package to put it up to my car I can no longer return it... BOOOO!! Its ok, a learning experience like I stated before.

 

[Cody2289]

where did you buy yours, zeromaz?