Car Nissan Almera N16 is a legendary model that has remained one of the most popular choices on the secondary market for decades. Despite its considerable age, the body of this sedan has excellent lines, which, if properly modified, can look incredibly fresh and aggressive. Many owners wonder how to give their car a personal touch without losing practicality.
Installation body kit - this is not just a way to change your appearance, but also an opportunity to improve aerodynamic performance if you approach the matter competently. However, the market offers a lot of options: from cheap plastic overlays to complex composite kits. It is quite easy to make a mistake in choosing a material or style, which can lead to damage to the body or poor appearance.
In this article we will look at all aspects of tuning Nissan Almera N16, from choosing the type of plastic to the final painting. You will learn which elements are most in demand, how to secure them correctly and what to avoid when installing them yourself. Using fiberglass instead of polyurethane can save money, but will require more complex preparation for painting.
Main types of materials for tuning parts
Before purchasing a kit, you must clearly understand the difference between the materials from which body kits are made. The most common option is polyurethane. It has high elasticity, which allows it to withstand minor impacts on curbs without critical damage. Parts made from this material often come with a factory primer, which simplifies the painting process.
Fiberglass (fiberglass) is a stiffer and more fragile material, but it allows you to create complex shapes with sharp edges. If you plan to install aggressive spoiler or a complex front fender, fiberglass is the ideal choice. However, such parts require special care when transporting, as they easily crack if dropped.
ABS plastic is commonly used for factory moldings, but is less common in aftermarket applications. It holds its shape well, but is less resistant to ultraviolet radiation and low temperatures, which can lead to deformation in winter. For Nissan Almera N16 Most often, polyurethane kits or fiberglass kits are chosen.
- 🔹 Polyurethane - flexible, impact-resistant, ideal for bumpers.
- 🔹 Fiberglass is hard, allows you to make sharp shapes, requires putty.
- 🔹 ABS plastic is cheap, but quickly burns out and cracks in the cold.
Popular styles and kits for Almera N16
The world of tuning offers several styling options for the N16 sedan. The most popular option is the so-called “Sport” or “Sport Touring”. This body kit usually includes extended sills, a more aggressive front bumper with large air intakes and a small spoiler on the trunk lid. This style emphasizes the sporty nature of the car while maintaining its civilian appearance.
For those who want to stand out, there are more radical JDM or "Racing" style kits. They feature huge diffusers, flared arches and massive front lips. Installing such a body kit on Nissan Almera N16 requires careful adjustment, since the factory fasteners often do not match the holes in the tuning part. Sometimes you have to drill additional holes in the body.
The installation of arches deserves special attention. Wheel arch extensions not only change the appearance, but also allow you to install larger wheels or wider tires. This is critical if you plan to lower your ride height to avoid wheel friction on the body. Without extended arches, low-profile tires can touch the fender when driving over uneven surfaces.
It is important to note that not all kits fit together. A bumper from one manufacturer may not be compatible with sills from another. Therefore, it is better to immediately buy a complete set from one brand to avoid problems with matching lines and colors.
- 🔸 “Sport” style - moderate aggression, suitable for city driving.
- 🔸 “JDM” style is a radical appearance that requires serious modifications to the body.
- 🔸 Arch extensions are a necessity for wide tires and lowering.
- Moderate "Sport"
- Radical "JDM"
- Classic "Light"
- I don't plan on tuning
Preparing the body and taking measurements
Before you begin installation, you need to prepare your vehicle. Remove the old bumper, side skirts and spoiler if present. Thoroughly clean the body of dirt, dust and old paint or glue residues. If there are traces of corrosion on the metal, they need to be cleaned and treated with anti-corrosion agent. Never install a body kit on a rusty body, as moisture under the part will speed up the destruction process.
Take a tape measure in your hands and measure all distances. Compare them with the drawings of the new body kit, if they are included in the kit. It often happens that parts from different manufacturers have different geometries. Check how the new bumper fits into the fenders and grille. If the gaps are uneven, the fasteners may need to be modified.
Pay special attention to the attachment points. On Nissan Almera N16 Plastic pistons and self-tapping screws are often used. If the holes in the new body kit do not match the factory ones, do not try to drill them at random. Use a template or marker to mark the attachment points. An error of 5 millimeters can cause the bumper to hang crookedly.
- 🛠️ Clean the body of dirt and rust before installation.
- 🛠️ Check the geometry of new parts before starting work.
- 🛠️ Mark the holes for the fasteners using a marker and a template.
☑️ Preparation for body kit installation
⚠️ Attention: Do not use aggressive solvents to degrease the plastic of the body kit, as this may disrupt the adhesion of the paint and cause its deformation. Use special degreasers for plastic.
The process of installing and fixing elements
Installation of the body kit begins with fitting. Attach the parts to the body without fixing them completely. Check how they look from the driver and passenger side. Make sure all body lines match and gaps are even. If something is wrong, adjust the part with a file or grinder. This is the most labor-intensive, but important stage of the work.
When the fitting is successful, proceed to fixation. Use standard fasteners where possible. For additional reliability, use self-tapping screws with wide heads or special rivets. You should not rely only on double-sided tape, as it can come off at high speeds and vibrations. Mechanical fastening is the key to durability.
To install a spoiler on the trunk lid Nissan Almera N16 Drilling is often required. Be careful: the cover is made of thin metal and drilling may damage the paintwork. Use a metal drill bit with a sharp tip and masking tape around the drilling area. After installation, be sure to treat the holes with an anti-corrosion compound.
After installing all the elements, check their rigidity. Try shaking the bumper and sills slightly. If there is play, tighten the fasteners or add spacers. Make sure nothing catches on the wheels or suspension when turning the steering wheel or going over bumps.
What to do if the holes don't match?
If the holes in the body kit do not line up with the body, do not try to widen them too much with a file. It is better to use special adapter plates or make brackets from sheet metal, which will ensure reliable fixation and maintain the geometry of the part.
Painting and finishing
After installation, the body kit needs to be painted. If you bought a part in a color that matches the body, this will save time. However, even in this case, it is recommended to apply a coat of clear varnish for protection. If the part is white or gray (no color), you will have to prepare it for painting: putty, sand and prime. Fiberglass requires careful puttying of all joints and pores.
The painting process involves applying several layers of primer, base and varnish. Between coats, you must maintain the drying time specified by the paint manufacturer. Do not try to speed up the process with a hair dryer or heater as this may cause bubbles or cracks. Painting in a booth will give the best results, but good quality can be achieved in a garage with the right preparation.
It is important to remember that the paint on the body kit may differ in shade from the paint on the body, especially if the car is not new. Use a tinting tool to find the exact shade. Sometimes it makes sense to paint only the body kit and leave the body as is if the difference in shades is too noticeable.
⚠️ Attention: Do not apply varnish to a surface that has been poorly sanded. This will lead to the fact that the varnish will lie unevenly and after a month will begin to peel off, opening access to moisture to the material of the part.
Comparative table of materials and their characteristics
To finally decide on the choice of material, let’s consider its characteristics in comparison. This will help you make an informed decision based on your budget and tuning goals.
| Material | Strength | Flexibility | Difficulty painting | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyurethane | High | High | Low | Average |
| Fiberglass | Average | Low | High | Low/Medium |
| ABS plastic | Low | Average | Average | Low |
| Carbon | Very high | Low | Medium (requires varnish) | Very high |
The choice of material directly affects the durability and appearance of your Nissan Almera N16. If you often drive on rough roads, polyurethane is a better choice due to its ability to spring back. For motorsport or exhibition models, carbon fiber is suitable, which looks impressive, but is expensive.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Many owners make the mistake of installing a body kit without first trying it on. As a result, the bumper may not fit into place, and the gaps will be uneven. Always try the part on before drilling and painting. If the part does not fit, try to find the reason: perhaps you need to remove the headlights or fender liners.
Another common problem is the use of low-quality glue or tape. Double-sided tape should be automotive tape with high adhesion. Ordinary stationery or construction tape will not withstand vibrations and will quickly peel off. To fix the bumper, it is better to use a combination of self-tapping screws and high-quality tape.
Don't forget about the gaps between the wheel and body kit. If you lower your car, make sure the fender flares don't rub against the tires. This can lead to rapid wear of the rubber and damage to the body kit. Check clearances when the vehicle is fully loaded.
- ❌ Never drill holes without trying on the part.
- ❌ Do not use cheap tape to fix heavy elements.
- ❌ Do not ignore checking gaps when installing extended arches.
⚠️ Attention: If you are planning to lower the suspension, be sure to check whether the new sills or bumper will touch the ground when passing speed bumps.
FAQ: Answers to popular questions
Is it possible to install a body kit on a Nissan Almera N16 without drilling the body?
In most cases, installation requires minimal drilling, especially for attaching the spoiler and fender flares. However, bumpers often require modification of standard fasteners or installation of additional brackets for reliable fixation. Drilling can be completely avoided only by using specialized adapters.
Which body kit is better to choose: polyurethane or fiberglass?
For everyday use and bad roads, it is better to choose polyurethane, as it is less susceptible to cracks upon impact. Fiberglass is suitable for smooth roads and exhibitions as it is lighter and allows for more complex shapes, but it is fragile.
Do I need to repaint the body kit if it is already the same color as the body?
It is recommended to apply at least one coat of varnish over the factory paint to protect against scratches and UV rays. Even if the color is the same, the gloss and texture may vary. A full repaint is only necessary if you want to change the color or if the factory primer is damaged.
How to properly prepare a fiberglass body kit for painting?
Fiberglass must be thoroughly degreased, then a special primer for plastic must be applied. After this, all uneven areas and pores should be filled with putty, sanded and primed again. Only after such preparation can the base paint and varnish be applied.
Does installing a body kit affect the vehicle's ground clearance?
Installing a front bumper lip or spoiler may reduce ground clearance at the front or rear. This must be taken into account when driving over uneven surfaces. Fender flares do not affect ground clearance, but can change the appearance by increasing the width of the wheelbase.