Anyone ever install a kaminari body kit on a tc? Anything I need to know before I install mine? Any issues or problems? Anyone know of a DIY on this? Any info is helpful, thanks!

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The install should be very straight forward. I would hope that there is a DIY guru on here that may have done a step-by-step instructional, but if not, it's as simple as remove the OEM front and rear bumpers and reinstall ours. A bunch of members on here have another thread going with fitment issues, and I appreciate that thread because although we strive to make our kits perfect, there were a few quality control issues we found and have addressed.

I am still in process of finding a local tC come in for an installation so I can do a step-by-step for you guys, but this is what all the recent fitment issues boiled down to...a simple fix IF your kit had these issues.

This photo is of the OEM rear bumper at the wheelwell. Notice the clean line on the edge of the tab with the (3) holes in it, this is where the bumper skin clips into the tricky/annoying Toyota body clips.


This photo is of the Kaminari rear bumper. You will notice that we now have the same clean edge on the tab and everything looks very similar to the OEM Toyota/Scion bumper skin.


This photo is of the OEM bumper skin tab with (2) holes near the tail light assembly, same story here...


This photo is of the Kaminari bumper, same spot as the above photo...


The problem people were having with fitment boiled down to our finishing guys were not aware that this line had to be absolutely perfect, so customers have had issues with these tabs not fully securing into the OEM Toyota body clips. If your bumper skins, both front and rear, do not have these clean edges then you will have to sand and smooth it out, then the skin will fit perfectly and never come out again!

 

i did my install in an hour, i do recommend getting a friend to help you with the side skirts, everything else is like OEM simple and the best kit on the market hands down!!

 

K I got it done. A few of the holes were marked incorrectly. All holes along the top of the front bumper cover were off by maybe an 1/8", rear bumper cover screw hole on driver side was off a full inch, and the tabs need trimming as Steve stated as well. Also the are much thicker and the oem bumper.

Overall it's not a hard process, side skirts definitely require 2 people, front bumper needs 2 people but I was able to make due. The whole thing can be installed in about 1-2 hours.

Also remember not to remove oem sideskirts. As retarded as it sounds, the kami skirts fit perfectly on top. Door closes with zero rub.

It's a great kit, not perfect fit but damned close.


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I was looking over your order date and I think yours was sent out just before we looked deeper into the fitment issues other people were having. I apologize, but I am glad you got the kit on in the end!

The bumpers are all trimmed to match a template we made directly off the OEM bumpers we have sitting here from one of our SEMA cars. Will you elaborate on the tabs being off by 1/8" and the rear screw hole (that was off by an inch) you are referring to?

 

I can take pics later today. But for the rear, there is one screw hole. It was an inch too high I believe to match the hole so we had to drill a new hole in the kit.

On the front there is a metal plate/bracket that goes beneath the top edge and a rubber seal sits on top of that, which the hood rests on. The holes were drilled incorrectly. May not be exactly 1/8" off but nonetheless the holes in the kit prevented me from using the oem clips as is, so had to drill a bit. Also the kami kit is much thicker than the oem and the plastic clips with the philips head are not long enough. So used tie wraps until I can get screws this weekend to replace them. I ran out of time.

Also the grills were cut too close to the shape of the hole so had to stretch a bit to make it work. In the future I'd recommend you guys send the grills in a standard rectangle shape rather than someone trying to cut to fit. Let the buyer trim it.

Like I said overall this really is a simple kit to put on. The corrections that were made, a beginner could have figured out (though I wouldn't recommend it)

Lol oh yeah and screws shipped for side skirts, some were ok but screws that fit flush for the holes beneath the kami decal would have been best, luckily a friend that help me had sone that fit perfect.


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For anyone interested, I finally got a tC into our facility and did a full install for the customer...

Check it out ---> https://www.scionlife.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=195936

 

Steve,

I purchased my 2009 tC from the dealer with the TRD ground effects installed. About six weeks ago, some moron in a parking garage backed up into me, and now I have to replace my hood and front bumper/grille. I have decided to order a Kaminari kit from you guys (just sent you an email on your website), but my question is this: When the TRD ground effects are installed, are the side skirts swapped? Will the Kaminari side skirts fit on top of what I have? I can clearly see the front and rear air dams installed, but don't see a difference on my side skirts versus the OEM. Think it'll fit?

P.S. I need a hood too. Does the Kaminari hood require or include mesh? I can't see that angle in your photo's.

Thanks!

-Dade

 

Uhm u can take a look of mine. mine is an 2010, should be exactly the same as your 09. I would definitely recommend Kaminari if u want body kit for ur tC

 

Dade,

I just sent you all the info, but for anyone who needs to know, the TRD side skirts will likely have to be removed and stock side skirts replaced because our side skirts are made to install over the stock skirts.

As for grilles, the Kaminari body kit does not come with grilles. Unlike other companies that use cheap rain gutter mesh, we have a very nice billet aluminum material for our grilles that is offered separately from the body kit. THE GRILLES ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE BODY KIT. The material is a very nice water jetted 6061-T6 flat stock with hexagonal holes. We have them available in plain silver and black anodized. The hood does done with a different (but similar) grille material pre-installed when you purchase it.

Looks great Jae! Did everything go back on perfectly when you go it all paints and ready to install?

 

Great write up and sometime in the future I will probably look into getting one of the kits. Now only if Racing Solution would do something like this for their CF Lip Kit, that thing is the biggest pain in the ___ ever.

 

I had my kaminari body kit installed without no problem except fitment issues in the front. Everything else was good! Can show you pictures if you want for a black tc

 

Hey guys,

I got an order placed with KaminariSteve and am awaiting its production. Once I get all the work complete, I'll post pics. I was able to find a set of original stock side skirts, which are on their way. I'm looking forward to getting my car fixed.

If anyone else wants to post their pics of Kaminari kits, then by all means do it.

Thanks Steve!

 

I've always spoken highly of the kaminari line... awesome fitment and the quality of the kits are great!! Great choice!!

 

When I installed my caminari, I had fitment issues so take it to a professional shop!