Methods Used And Cost Of A Widebody Car
DIY Widebody (Do-It-Yourself)
This is the cheapest option and it is by far the most stressful and time-consuming. Just as it reads, you are going to do it yourself and manually too but overall it helps save money. If you are going by this option please note that your car will be immobile for the duration of the project. There are videos on Youtube and other websites to watch that contain step-by-step guides on the DIY widebody process. You will need the following: markers, paint, automotive fiberglass, foam, roller, resin, sandpaper, and measuring tape. But using a fiberglass downside is that it is so rigid and it can break or shatter when it contacts a hard surface or under pressure. The process altogether costs between $120 and $200.
Installing Already Made Widebody Kits
This option will not require as much labor as doing it yourself but just like every other thing in life, it is more expensive. The prices vary from model to model because the kits are vehicle-specific. They are so easy to install, they come with detailed instructions and can be troubleshot on the internet as there is a chance you are not the first customer to buy that particular kit. These pre-made kits cost between $1,200 to $5000.
Body Shops
This option is by far the best method to use to get a car widebody done. Firstly, it is done by a professional who has access to all of the materials and equipment to get it done to your taste and liking. But it costs more than DIY or buying and installing a pre-made kit. Since the shops work with high-powered equipment, they do the job faster. The price will be determined by the body shop. The best thing is to go to a body shop, tell them what you are interested in doing and they will likely give you a quote based on your specifications. This should cost at least $10,000 and it could be higher.
Selecting a Body Kit Material
This plays an important role in determining the cost of the entire process because it is the main car material in the widebody process. The custom kits are widely available in materials such as:
ABS Plastic: is a strong body kit material, efficient, durable, and dent-resistant. It is used by most vehicle manufacturers for their Original Equipment Manufacturer(OEM). Disadvantage: It is expensive and heavy.
PolyUrethane: Because it is cheaper than ABS Plastic, it is also less durable and less flexible. Disadvantage: whenever in contact with heat, it wraps.
Carbon Fibre: This is the strongest body kit. It is also by far the lightest and most durable body kit on the market. It is only used on sports and high-performance cars. The only disadvantage is that it is highly priced. Although this is justified, the price can range from $3,000 to $12,000 depending on the car model.
Fiberglass: This is the cheapest and most available body kit. It can be sourced easily and it does not change form whenever it experiences high temperature. Disadvantage: because it is too strong, it breaks easily, especially when it comes in contact with pressure.
Composite Materials: These materials are a combination of the above materials. In some cases, all the above materials are combined in the right proportion to produce a cheaper material that is durable, strong, and efficient. While sometimes, only a few of the materials above are combined. Composite Materials are generally cheap but more expensive than fiberglass.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cost of your widebody process is determined by how much work you are ready to do to save costs. You could buy materials and do it yourself but you should also keep in mind that this method would be labor-intensive and time-consuming. And if you decide to go by getting a pre-made body kit, that would be capital intensive and would still require a bit of labor to install. Finally, if your choice is to take it to the body shops, this would require you to pay the amount quoted for you and professionals would attend to the car. Whatever option you decide to go with, remember the health of your car after the procedure is your priority. It is better to have a car in good condition because you spent a lot on it than to manage and patch things up to get a vehicle in bad condition later.
