Hi everyone, this is my first post here and I have a couple of questions about body kits. first of all I have a Black 2002 ZX3 Zetec 5spd (pretty much stock except for shorty intake)
I like how the European Foci bumpers look, they have a sleeker and meaner look and I want to put those bumpers on my ride. I know there is some cutting involved in the installation process but I don't' know to what extent. ?Does cutting the bumper reinforcements disable air bags and/or void extended warranty? Also, what is being cut here, metal, plastic, both??
Haven't done this myself but I beleve you need to remove the crash foam(white foam under bumper cover) and cut the metal rebar a bit. The rebar may need to be cut just a little to allow the euro directionals to fit. It is said to be a PITA but well worth it.
As for warranty. If the part you put on causes somthing not to work or to break than it is voided. For example a new bumper will not affect motor or suspension warranty but may affect air bag warranty(I am not sure). As for the air bag sensord I am not sure where they are located. If they are just behind the metal bumper than they should be ok. Also just so you know the Plastic (actually eurithane) bumper you see from outside the car is just a decorative wrap. The actual bumper is metal and under it. The crash foam is there due to US crash specs and helps deaden/cushen any front end collisions. The US spec bumper is a 5pmh bumper and the Euro bumper is (I think) about 1/2 that at between 2-4mph. Hence the use of the crash foam.
I could be totaly wrong here but I don't think I am too far off.
Thanks fx3, that helps a lot. I really wanna go the euro route but EVO body kits are sweet too, and a little less PITA. I will probably toy with the idea for a few more months. I have some performance mods to do anyway before I get to PITA body work.
fx3 wrote: The crash foam is there due to US crash specs and helps deaden/cushen any front end collisions. The US spec bumper is a 5pmh bumper and the Euro bumper is (I think) about 1/2 that at between 2-4mph. Hence the use of the crash foam.
and a good job at that it does. last week i rear ended a minivan trying to get out into an intersection, and i came from about 20 ft back and launched the car to go..needelss to say she didnt. check the link in my sig, go to pg 3...thats all that happened, and the crash foam is hardly even cracked inside. im looking into a euro bumper myself at the moment, but after seeing what this crash foam does, im not sure i want it anymore, for purely safety's sake. jus thought id put in my .
I did the exact same thing a few weeks ago but it was an old civic. Impact was @ about 10-15 mph. F***** up the rear end of that civic but not a scratch on my focus. well maybe a little scratch, but lucky for me the chick in the POS civic didn't feel like reporting it.
On second thought Maybe I should stick with the U.S. bumpers and get the EVO kit, thanks-
Sweet. I've been looking for something like that but had no luck, were should I look. The ones @ focus sport are the real deal bolt on (not fiberglass) but they require cutting and modifying exhaust for the rear bumper
thanks for the input whitezx3, couple questions....
were did u get your euro bumper? and how much $$
and are the air bags effected in anyway if I do have to cut? (this is important to me because air bags saved my life in a high speed collision a few years ago).....
I believe the airbag system is inertia based, like the fuel cut off. Trimming some foam will hurt the 5mph crash standards but it shouldnt affect the airbags.
This is an interesting thread and question. Welcome to the board by the way.
I have not heard of anyone having issues w/ insurancr or warranty w/ this.
I know we had a member, Hey Pi are you still lurking? - he had his beautiful car all done over very euro. It is by far my favorite modded Focus to date.
I know you can inform your insurance company of any modifications you may have done to the vehicle and they can sometimes itemize the car with information to cover specialty items.
My father will end up dealing w/ this with his drag car this summer. He has to insure it, but due to its nature it will have to have special insurance.
I really don't see this being a factor - however I'm very interested in this comment. I'm going to check in w/ one of my Ford ppl. and BATinc to see if they have any information.
That is another great site to find products for your Focus - BATinc.net
Best of luck and keep posting - we love having newbies!
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
The euro bumpers actually meet the US crash standards, the reason we get these ulgy bumper covers is because of the Canadian crash standards. I am ordering my st170 bumper cover from Mitch at zx3tunning. He's the one that clued me into this, as for the airbag it is inertia basied. f2focus.com sells the replica RS body kit that woks with the US focus rebar and crash foam.
____________________ Honda's are like assholes, everyone has one.
FYI - I did call BATinc and they suggested speaking w/ your insurance co if you are really that worried.
So far as warranty, this same person from BATinc had a Honda w/ a kit on it and had an accident. The insurance company covered it because the additions he made to it were factory Honda parts.
In the case of just moving to Euro Ford Parts, I would say that you shouldn't have any issues.
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
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I did the exact same thing a few weeks ago but it was an old civic. Impact was @ about 10-15 mph. F***** up the rear end of that civic but not a scratch on my focus. well maybe a little scratch, but lucky for me the chick in the POS civic didn't feel like reporting it.
Sweet. I've been looking for something like that but had no luck, were should I look. The ones @ focus sport are the real deal bolt on (not fiberglass) but they require cutting and modifying exhaust for the rear bumper
2 FAST 2 FURIOUS 
