A good source for mudguards?

[TrevorS]

I picked up my xB Tuesday, installed the security system and began on the rear sway bar Wednesday, finished the sway bar and installed the fog lights Thursday, and Friday should see the mats, cargo liner and non-slip tray pads (arrived today) installed. However, I notice the tires are perfectly positioned to throw stones and other debris at the lower portions of the car. Hence, I'm thinking mudguards would be a worthwile addition!

Anybody know a good source for mudguards for a 2008 xB? (I have to visit the dealer tomorrow for some touchup paint, so I'll probably check with them as well.)

Since I haven't run across any sill guards, other than the xB illuminated accessories, I may just end up getting a set of those (though I'm not excited about the price.) Would love to learn of some alternatives.

Any ideas?

[burstaneurysm]

Well, Japan usually has stuff like that... the 2nd gen xB is released in Japan as the Corolla Rumion, so JDM parts will be available, that might be a good place to start.

[TrevorS]

That's really interesting! It seems fairly clear the new xB was a Toyota US development, and yet, just as the Japanese bB came to the US as the xB, so the second generation xB has 0gone to Japan as the Rumion (with adjustments, of course) :)! They are advertising a roomy and comfortable interior though with the advantage of all wheel drive, and a smaller engine (1.5-1.8L). Personally, I'd have found the 1.8L engine VERY interesting, though the all wheel drive is more optional to me -- did like it on the Eclipse though :)!.

As you say, it offers mud guards, but why not on the US model? I guess it's just a question of time. Now the Rumio has been introduced and offers them, they'll probably eventually show up for the xB. Thanks for the tip :)! Guess I just have to wait!

[burstaneurysm]

At this point, it's probably just a waiting game...

The 1st gen xB had mudguards available only in Japan for the bB... they were never released through Scion in the US.

[TrevorS]

It turns out this site has both sets of guards :):

[url]http://www.newscionparts.com/product/?id=2737
[url]http://www.newscionparts.com/product/index.php?id=2761

Unfortunately, they're not exactly cheap :(!

[TrevorS]

Darn, I would really like to see more activity on this forum -- personally I think it's a good site and deserves a $#%^ of alot more support than it appears to be getting.

In any case, I just received word (following indignant complaint) that my mudguards and sillguards have FINALLY been shipped! After all, they were only ordered Feb 11 from Carson Toyota (the only reported supplier) :(!

In any case, they're expected to arrive tomorrow and if I can just manage to nail down my Eclipse keyless entry (my focus these day), I'll be turning my attention in that direction!

Come on, people -- post to this forum -- I've found it easily more informative overall than any other! It deserves your support!

[burstaneurysm]

Yea, unfortunately, ordering things from Japan results in a waiting game.
I'm curious to see how they look once they get in.

[Greg]

Trevor:

Thanks for the kind words about the forum. I'd like nothing more than for this forum to grow as huge as some others out there, but we just need to spread the word! Between you and Burst, we have a HUGE Scion knowledge base, and you guys are unique in the fact that you like to chat online, and share your knowledge. You are both very articulate, and many people can benefit from that! We just need them to visit more often!

Thanks to both of you for all you do!

Greg

[TrevorS]

Thanks Greg, I'm really hoping more people will recognize the contribution this forum really has to offer. This is definitely the best place for intelligent and direct responses in my opinion!

Happily, I received the mudguards and sillguards for my 2008 xB today. Perfect timing since I just this evening finished installing my Eclipse keyless entry (still working on the lift-gate release actuator and remote lock security arming, but the basics are in place!)

Tomorrow, I plan to tackle the 2008 xB sillguards and mudguards and I anticiapte posting photos of the results. Frankly, I'm expecting mudguards on an Eibach Pro-Kit lowered xB2 to look pretty decent, in addition to protecting the paint work behind the wheel wells! I've mudguards on my Eclipse as well -- guess I'm a believer !

[burstaneurysm]

Hey, I'm just glad I could be helpful. :D

[TrevorS]

Having a problem with the sillguards -- received only the fronts :(! So until that gets sorted out with Carson Toyota/Scion, the fronts will stay in their original packaging.

I was very upset at first because when I looked in the box, I saw TWO BLUE sillguards! I immediately got on the horn to Carson online parts, but all I could get was their message service -- frustration compounded! Finally sent a friendlygram via email describing the problem, but this evening came to the realization the blue was actually just a protective film (really had me going for a while there!) Still, I'm missing the rears and for $280 (debited immediately) followed by nine weeks of waiting, it's hard to feel good about the situation! Though I definitely stuck my foot in my mouth on the color :o.

In any case, here are the promised photos with the mudguards -- I like them :)!

[TrevorS]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/TrevorSt/Mudguards1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/TrevorSt/Mudguards2.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/TrevorSt/Mudguards3.jpg

[burstaneurysm]

Dude, the car's looking really good. The mudguards look pretty good on there. Keep it up, it's looking really clean!

Now you gotta hit those brake calipers with some engine enamel.

[TrevorS]

Thanks :)! For some reason, I think the mudguards and spoiler complement each other. They just seem to knit together to help create the look.

With the sillguards in progress (are you listening Carson Toyota/Scion ???), the only thing I'm seriously considering right now is the lip overlay and smoke on the front lights and mirror flashers.

That is, outside of my unexpected need to replace my muffler :(!)

[burstaneurysm]

I'm in the process of blacking out everything.

I currently run red tails (stock clear ones painted with transparent paint). But I had another set that I smoked. They just need clearcoat. My back corner markers are getting smoked next and my sidemarkers have been smoked for a while now. I kinda like it when everything blends together.

I guess what I'm saying, if you smoke the heads and corners, you might consider smoking the tails too. (I'd leave the reverse light clear, though, since it blends better with the bumper... no reason to call attention to that design flaw)

[TrevorS]

Not sure how much smoke is good on the tails. Visibility of the rear brake and turn lights is pretty important. Still, I'm discussing it with Andy and expect to give his overlays a whirl.

Talking about a "clean" car. I rewashed, exterior detailed (including touchups), and waxed the xB today -- it's first wax job. It positively gleams :)! Now that it's past the 1K point, it's time for the change to synthetic oil. I just have to decide whether I'm going to do it, or if I'll have Toyota do it as one of my two free oil changes (though no doubt there'll be a charge for synthetic :(.)

I answered a Scion over the phone questionaire a while back, and am supposed to get two free "services" for it, but I've yet to determine how to claim that!

[TrevorS]

Thanks :)! For some reason, I think the mudguards and spoiler complement each other. They just seem to knit together to help create the look.

With the sillguards in progress (are you listening Carson Toyota/Scion ???), the only thing I'm seriously considering right now is the lip overlay and smoke on the front lights and mirror flashers.

That is, outside of my unexpected need to replace my muffler :(!)

Well, as usual, my fortune seems to be very unstable. According to the dealer suppliers, the sill guards I ordered for all four doors, were actually only for the front two (God knows how they justify the price.) However, there's a set of Rumion sillguards available that include the rears, the fronts being illuminated. I'm not much interested in illuminated sillguards, but if that's the path to acquiring the rears, so be it! So I'm now expecting a set of Rumion sillguards to show up by Monday latest -- hopefully Friday. (Though I still have to decide how I feel about having a pair of Rumion labeled front sill guards :(!)

[burstaneurysm]

Well... you could always go big and get the entire Rumion front clip! :D
http://www.newscionparts.com/product/?id=2769

Oh, and I did a vinyl smoke on the tails, visibility is still just fine. I'll be posting pics soon.

[TrevorS]

Well... you could always go big and get the entire Rumion front clip! :D
http://www.newscionparts.com/product/?id=2769

Oh, and I did a vinyl smoke on the tails, visibility is still just fine. I'll be posting pics soon.

Well, I don't know man! I bought a Scion, not a Rumion. By the time I drop the bread to convert my Scion into a Rumion, I'll probably have completely blown whatever I saved by buying Scion!

Frankly, I'm contemplating the possibility of picking up the Scion front sillguards from Sparks and selling the Rumion versions, though indeed, I'm not clear how that'll turn out! I've currently little interest in replacing the identity of my car with the Japanese version :(!

[burstaneurysm]

Yea, a lot of people get all hot and bothered by doing the JDM Conversions. It was never really for me though.

People would buy the Rumion sills from you though, I'm sure.

[TrevorS]

Well, so what else is new -- after two unanswered emails and one unanswered phone message, I've just spent roughly two hours on the phone (the first 1.5hr of which was on hold) and on the third call in finally learned the replacement sillguards were never shipped. So now they are supposed to overnight them Tuesday for arrival Wednesday (and phone me with the tracking number as soon as they have it) -- I wonder?

As soon as my Eclipse is back together from turbo replacement (current focus), I want to see about getting that dent repaired (hopefully I can identify a good PDR technician), but that's not happening until the sillguards are intalled. I really don't want anyone at all touching my xB2 after that scratched-up-sill during dealer service incident. Still can't believe some moron dented it Friday :mad:!

[TrevorS]

Aha! Just received and verified the next day air tracking number for the Rumion Sillguards. If they appear a go when they arrive tomorrow, I'll probably immediately order the Scion front set from Sparks. Yes indeed, there's still hope :)!

[TrevorS]

Yea, a lot of people get all hot and bothered by doing the JDM Conversions. It was never really for me though.

People would buy the Rumion sills from you though, I'm sure.

The sillguards arrived, I've checked them out, and I guess I'm officially Rumionized -- at least my sills :)! I was expecting only the front guards to bear the Rumion logo (since they're much longer), but they all have it, only the size of the print differs. So, I guess Rumion it is :)!

[TrevorS]

The sillguards arrived, I've checked them out, and I guess I'm officially Rumionized -- at least my sills :)! I was expecting only the front guards to bear the Rumion logo (since they're much longer), but they all have it, only the size of the print differs. So, I guess Rumion it is :)!

Frankly, I prefer the "Rumion" logo to the TRD "Sportivo" logo! The TRD seems a little more "toffee nose" to me :)! However, stainless steel also has its appeal!

[burstaneurysm]

Good deal... let's see the pics now!

[TrevorS]

Since the illuminated front sillguard installation instructions are in Japanese, I'll use the Scion PDF version from Sparks. Should be basically the same, both being illuminated. We seem to be hitting a touch of rainy season here, so installation will probably be a little delayed (also has to compete with my jack-standed Eclipse -- turbo replacement, prep for new rims, and hatchback shelf construction all in progress :).) I'll get there though :)!

[TrevorS]

Eclipse rim prep is pretty much done (derust and re-paint calipers, knuckles, etc. and renew wheel well undercoat!), plus turbo re-installation is pushed out at least to Tuesday (major drag :(). So, I may well get to the sillguards this weekend. Once they're done, I'll definitely post photos :)!

[TrevorS]

Since the illuminated front sillguard installation instructions are in Japanese, I'll use the Scion PDF version from Sparks. Should be basically the same, both being illuminated. We seem to be hitting a touch of rainy season here, so installation will probably be a little delayed (also has to compete with my jack-standed Eclipse -- turbo replacement, prep for new rims, and hatchback shelf construction all in progress :).) I'll get there though :)!

Having studied both the Japanese Rumion and Sparks Scion installation instructions (and my xB2 connectors), I've concluded the instructions aren't equivalent and the vehicle wiring is not the same :(! So, I'm currently taking a stab at locating a 2008 xB2 wiring diagram. On the positive side, the new rims look great on the Eclipse -- now, if I can just sort out the Rumion sillguards!

[TrevorS]

Pictures are here :)!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/TrevorSt/FrontSillguard.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/TrevorSt/RearSillguard.jpg

Ended up using some of both sets of instructions, plus a little freestyle :)! Took a LONG time to finally get there (ordered Feb 11th), but I'm satisfied with the end result!

[burstaneurysm]

Those look really nice... and yea, the JDM wiring is different.
(that happened with the JDM foglights on the 1st gen box)

[TrevorS]

Thanks :)!

I installed quick disconnects at each of the three wiring taps and emulated the Scion sillguard kit driver's side B-Pillar wiring by adding wire length via another quick disconnect.

The Rumion kit skips the disconnects (either way is no doubt fine), but is otherwise a bit more elegant (uses a dedicated fuse +12V harness and doesn't resort to left side B-Pillar wiring.) I'm guessing there's a junction connector pin that would work for the Scion, but if so, it's definitely not the same pin as the Rumion :(! Trouble is, the wiring doesn't seem to be readily available (unless you purchase the appropriate service manual, that is.)

I was concerned the blue LED light would appear flashy, but it strikes me as being discreet and functional (helps avoid tripping over the sill at night.) Probably just as well the TRD guard set failed to materialize :)!