Owners Nissan AD - one of the most iconic Japanese SUVs of the 90s - they know: this car is not just a means of transportation, but an object for creativity. Body kit on Nissan AD can radically transform the appearance of the car, give it an aggressive or, conversely, retrograde style, and also improve aerodynamic characteristics. But how can you avoid making a mistake when choosing a kit, avoid problems during installation and not spoil the factory geometry of the body?

In this article we will look at all the nuances: from the selection of materials (polyurethane, ABS plastic, fiberglass) to step-by-step installation instructions. You will find out which brands offer the best body kits for ADhow to avoid a typical error with mismatched fasteners on models before and after 1997, and why cheap Chinese kits can result in expensive body repairs. And also - real examples of tuning with photos and reviews from owners.

Why the body kit on a Nissan AD is not just decoration

Many people mistakenly believe that a body kit is needed solely for beauty. In fact, a properly selected kit performs several functions at once:

  • 🛡️ Body protection — bumpers and sills made of polyurethane or ABS plastic absorb impacts when parking or a minor accident, preventing dents on the metal.
  • 💨 Aerodynamics — spoilers and skirts reduce the drag coefficient (Cx), which is especially important for AD with its “brick” body shape.
  • 🔧 Masking defects — chips, rust on arches or scratches on bumpers are easily hidden under new body kit parts.
  • 💰 Increase in cost — high-quality tuning increases the market price of a car by 10–15% (subject to proper installation).

However, there is a downside: an incorrectly selected body kit can impair handling at high speeds (due to increased windage) or cause corrosion if moisture accumulates between the parts and the body. Therefore, it is worth studying before purchasing comparison of materials and consult with experts.

📊 Which body kit style is closer to you?
  • Athletic (aggressive)
  • Classic (retrograde)
  • Offroad (protective)
  • Exclusive (custom)

Comparison of materials: polyurethane, ABS plastic or fiberglass?

The choice of material is a key point on which the durability, appearance and price of the body kit depend. Let's look at the pros and cons of each option:

Material Benefits Disadvantages Average price (set)
Polyurethane Flexible, impact resistant, light weight, easy to install High price, may fade in the sun, difficult to paint from 80,000 ₽
ABS plastic Durability, UV resistance, perfect geometry, easy to paint Heavy, fragile at low temperatures, expensive to repair from 60,000 ₽
Fiberglass Low price, possibility of making custom molds, lightweight Low impact resistance, requires additional processing before painting from 30,000 ₽
Carbon Elite appearance, lightness, high strength Very expensive, complex installation, requires professional painting from 150,000 ₽

For Nissan AD the most popular are polyurethane and ABS plastic. The first is suitable for daily use (for example, if the car is used as a family SUV), the second is for rides and exhibitions. Fiberglass is often chosen for budget tuning, but remember: such parts rarely last longer than 2-3 years.

⚠️ Attention: If you plan to go off-road, avoid fiberglass body kits - they will crack the first serious impact with rocks or branches. For offroading, polyurethane with metal protection is better suited.

Top 5 brands of body kits for Nissan AD: what to choose?

Tuning market for AD offers dozens of brands, but not all of them are trustworthy. We analyzed reviews from owners and experts and compiled a rating of the best manufacturers:

  1. C-West (Japan) is a legendary brand specializing in sports tuning. Their body kits for AD characterized by aggressive lines and a perfect fit. The downside is the price (from RUB 120,000 per set) and long delivery times.
    • 🔹 Popular models: Type-1, Type-2 (with wide arches).
    • 🔹 Material: ABS plastic or polyurethane.
  2. Tommy Kaira (Japan) - premium tuning with an emphasis on retrograde style. Their body kits often imitate factory parts, but with improved aerodynamics.
    • 🔹 Popular models: M30, M35 (with chrome inserts).
    • 🔹 Material: polyurethane with carbon elements.
  3. Ridger (Taiwan) - the gold standard in terms of price/quality ratio. Suitable for those who want a high-quality body kit without overpaying for the brand.
    • 🔹 Popular models: Style-A, Style-B (with protective skirts).
    • 🔹 Material: ABS plastic.
  4. Kamei (Germany) - European quality and minimalist design. Their body kits are often chosen for restoration AD in factory style.
    • 🔹 Popular models: Classic Line, Sport Line.
    • 🔹 Material: polyurethane.
  5. Duraflex (USA) - a budget option for those who are willing to sacrifice durability for a low price. Counterfeits are common!
    • 🔹 Popular models: Type-R, Type-S.
    • 🔹 Material: fiberglass.

When choosing a brand, pay attention to year of manufacture of your AD: model kits 1990–1993 And 1994–1997 gg. Mounting may vary! Also check for certificates - this is a guarantee that the parts have passed crash tests.

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Before purchasing a body kit, be sure to check the VIN code of your Nissan AD with the manufacturer's catalogue. For example, at AD with diesel engine RD28T There may be different bumper mounts than petrol versions.

Step-by-step instructions: how to install a body kit on a Nissan AD with your own hands

Installing a body kit is a labor-intensive process, but quite feasible in a garage if you follow the algorithm. You will need:

  • 🔧 Set of screwdrivers and wrenches (including socket wrenches).
  • 🔨 Drill with a set of drills (if modifications to the fasteners are required).
  • 🧴 Body sealant (for example, 3M 08577).
  • 🎨 Paint and varnish (if the body kit is not painted).
  • 🧲 Magnets or clamps for fixing parts.

Let's look at the process using the example of installing a front bumper:

Remove the old bumper and clean the fastenings from rust |

Check the complete set of the new body kit (are all fasteners in place) |

Sand and degrease the surface of the body at the joints|

Pre-try on parts without fixing (checking gaps) -->

  1. Removing the old bumper

    Unscrew the mounting bolts (usually 4-6 pieces from the bottom and sides). Be careful with plastic clips - they tend to break. If the bumper is stuck, use WD-40.

  2. Body preparation

    Clean the fastening areas from dirt and rust. If there are dents, straighten them out - otherwise the new body kit will lie crooked. Apply an anti-corrosion coating (eg Dinitrol 4941).

  3. Installing a new bumper

    Secure the bumper with magnets or clamps, then gradually secure with bolts, starting with the central mounts. Don't tighten them all the way all at once - line up all the gaps first.

  4. Sealing and painting

    Seal the joints with sealant to prevent moisture from entering. If the body kit is not painted, use primer and paint in 2-3 layers. For polyurethane, acrylic enamel is suitable, for ABS - only special paints (for example, PPG D8115).

⚠️ Attention: When installing the body kit on Nissan AD with plug-in fog lights, do not forget to check the polarization of the contacts! On models with RB25DET Reverse polarity is common and can result in a short circuit.

If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact a specialized tuning studio. The average cost of installing a body kit in Moscow is from 15,000 ₽ (without painting).

What to do if the body kit does not fit on the fastenings?

If the parts of the body kit do not match the holes on the body, do not try to “tighten” them by force - this will lead to cracks. Instead:

1. Check if the kit is suitable for your modification AD (for example, for versions with H206 And H233 mounting bridges may differ).

2. Use adapter plates (they can be cut from aluminum 2-3 mm thick).

3. If the problem is gaps, heat the polyurethane parts with a hairdryer (up to 60–70°C) - they will become more elastic.

4. As a last resort, contact a turner to modify the fasteners (cost - from 3,000 ₽ per part).

Tuning Nissan AD: real examples with photos and prices

To inspire you to transform, we have collected several successful tuning projects Nissan AD using body kits:

1. Sports style (C-West Type-2 + wide arches)

  • 📌 Equipment: front and rear bumpers, skirts, extended arches (+40 mm), roof spoiler.
  • 🎨 Color: matte black with red accents.
  • 💰 Cost: ~250,000 ₽ (including painting and installation).
  • Features: aerodynamics have been improved, the car has become 80 mm wider, 18-inch wheels are installed Work Emotion CR Kiwami.

2. Factory style restoration (Tommy Kaira M30)

  • 📌 Equipment: original bumpers, protective door sills, chrome moldings.
  • 🎨 Color: factory KH3 (Dark Green Metallic).
  • 💰 Cost: ~180 000 ₽.
  • Features: complete anti-corrosion treatment of the body, restoration of chrome parts.

3. Off-road version (Ridger Style-A + protection)

  • 📌 Equipment: reinforced bumpers with winch mounts, protective arches, metal thresholds.
  • 🎨 Color: camouflage (matte green + black).
  • 💰 Cost: ~300,000 ₽ (including installation of a winch and crankcase protection).
  • Features: the car is prepared for serious off-road, installed BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.

Photos of these and other projects can be found in owner communities Nissan AD on Drive2 or on Instagram using the hashtag #NissanADtuning.

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Before ordering a body kit, be sure to consult with a paint specialist! Some colors (eg AH3 Red Pearl) is extremely difficult to select, and parts may differ in shade from the body.

Typical mistakes when tuning Nissan AD and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes, which later cost a fortune. Here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

  1. Buying a body kit "by eye"

    Many people order kits based on photos without checking the article numbers. The result is that the parts do not fit in terms of fastenings or geometry. Solution: always check the VIN code and modification AD (For example, Y60 or Y61).

  2. Saving on sealant

    If you do not glue the joints, moisture will begin to accumulate under the body kit, which will lead to corrosion. Solution: use a silicone-based sealant (for example, Dow Corning 7091).

  3. Incorrect painting

    Polyurethane and ABS require different types of primer. If you mix it up, the paint will peel off in a month. Solution: for polyurethane use primer PPG DP40, for ABS - 3M 05907.

  4. Ignoring body kit weight

    Heavy parts (such as fiberglass) impair handling and increase the load on the suspension. Solution: for AD with springs Standard maximum weight of the body kit is 25 kg.

  5. Self-installation without experience

    Incorrectly secured parts may fall off while moving. Solution: if you don’t have the skills, entrust the work to professionals (the cost of a mistake is from RUB 50,000 for body repair).

Another typical problem is incompatibility of the body kit with additional equipment. For example, if you installed a winch, a standard bumper may not fit. In such cases, order custom parts from trusted craftsmen.

Body kit for Nissan AD: where to buy and how much does it cost?

Prices for body kits for Nissan AD vary from 20,000 to 300,000 ₽ depending on the material, brand and configuration. Let's look at where it's better to buy and what to pay attention to:

Source Benefits Disadvantages Average prices
Official dealers (C-West, Tommy Kaira) Quality guarantee, original parts, assistance in selection Long delivery (2–3 months), high price from 100,000 ₽
Russian tuning studios (Ridger, Kamei) Fast delivery, possibility to try on before purchasing Limited assortment, risk of running into replicas from 60,000 ₽
AliExpress / eBay Low prices, large selection High risk of counterfeits, no guarantee, long delivery from 20,000 ₽
Used market (Avito, Drom) You can find rare sets at low prices Risk of purchasing broken or poorly painted parts from 15,000 ₽

When purchasing, pay attention to:

  • 📄 Availability of certificate (especially for ABS plastic).
  • 🔍 Condition of fastenings - they should not be deformed.
  • 🎨 Paint quality - Check for leaks or bubbles.
  • 📦 Complete set — the kit must contain all the clips, bolts and instructions.

If you buy a used body kit, be sure to inspect it for:

  • 🔦 Cracks (especially in places of fastening).
  • 🔥 Traces of welding repair (this is a sign of a serious accident).
  • 🌡️ Paint burnout (indicates long storage in the sun).

Average cost of installing a body kit in Russia:

  • 🔧 Bumper installation - from 5,000 ₽.
  • 🎨 Painting (1 part) - from 8,000 ₽.
  • 🔧 Complete installation of the kit - from 25,000 ₽.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about body kits for Nissan AD

❓ Do I need to register the body kit with the traffic police?

Yes, if the body kit changes the dimensions of the car (for example, extended arches or protruding spoilers). To do this you will need to go through examination of design changes and get permission. The cost of the procedure is from 10,000 ₽. Without registration, you can be fined 500 rubles (under Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code).

❓ Which body kit is better for winter?

Optimal for cold climates polyurethane — it does not crack in the cold (unlike ABS plastic) and can withstand impacts from ice. Avoid fiberglass - it becomes brittle at temperatures below -15°C. It is also recommended to treat the joints anti-icing spray (For example, Liqui Moly Anti-Eis-Spray).

❓ Is it possible to install a body kit from Nissan Patrol Y60 on AD?

Partially yes, but some improvements will be required. Bumpers and skirts from Patrol Y60 wider, so you will have to expand the arches or trim parts. The fasteners also do not match - new holes need to be drilled. It is better to choose a body kit specifically designed for ADto avoid geometry problems.

❓ How to care for your body kit so that it lasts longer?

Care rules depend on the material:

  • Polyurethane: wash only with a soft sponge and car shampoo (no abrasives), apply once a month UV protective wax (For example, Collinite 845).
  • ABS plastic: Avoid high-pressure washers - the jet of water can peel off the paint. For shine use silicone-free polish.
  • Fiberglass: check for microcracks every six months and treat epoxy resin.

In winter, after each trip, clean the body kit from salt and reagents - they corrode the paintwork.

❓ Where can I order a custom body kit for Nissan AD?

If you are not satisfied with serial kits, contact studios specializing in 3D modeling:

  • Russia: CarStyle Lab (Moscow), AutoExpert (St. Petersburg).
  • Abroad: JUN Auto (Japan) Wald International (Germany).

The cost of manufacturing a custom body kit is from 200,000 ₽ (including 3D scanning of the body). Time frame: 2–3 months.