its NAKED !!!!!!, a NAKED X.........
Remove Cladding? Opinions Please..
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: North Florida
Remove Cladding? Opinions Please..
Hey Everyone,
Okay, so I thought I had my mind made up about removing the cladding from my limited Ex. It keeps unsticking itself in a few places and I am tired of re-sticking it with 3M tape.
I am hesitant now because all of the rest of it is still stuck on REALLY well...
It is the limited, so it is the same color as the body. No contrast... just plastic sticking out farther than the body. If I take it all off, then the only difference will be that the lines are more "sleek" looking...
I guess my BIG question to you all is, will the "Pueblo Gold" color look good without the cladding hanging off the sides? Has anyone done this and then regretted it? Or will I take it off and say "Wow... that looks better!"??
I KNOW I am asking for subjective feedback, but I'm kinda back on the fence with this decision. I KNOW I should just man-up and make a decision, but this one has me locked up and I don't know why. I've already got the XLT Stone Guards for the back 1/4 panel if I do this.
Thank you for any thoughts on the matter!
James
Okay, so I thought I had my mind made up about removing the cladding from my limited Ex. It keeps unsticking itself in a few places and I am tired of re-sticking it with 3M tape.
I am hesitant now because all of the rest of it is still stuck on REALLY well...
It is the limited, so it is the same color as the body. No contrast... just plastic sticking out farther than the body. If I take it all off, then the only difference will be that the lines are more "sleek" looking...
I guess my BIG question to you all is, will the "Pueblo Gold" color look good without the cladding hanging off the sides? Has anyone done this and then regretted it? Or will I take it off and say "Wow... that looks better!"??
I KNOW I am asking for subjective feedback, but I'm kinda back on the fence with this decision. I KNOW I should just man-up and make a decision, but this one has me locked up and I don't know why. I've already got the XLT Stone Guards for the back 1/4 panel if I do this.
Thank you for any thoughts on the matter!
James
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
I'm in similar situation. Going to install the pocket flares and not sure how it'll look with or without the cladding
The cladding removed makes it look more truck like IMO. So that's the route I'm probably going to follow. My goal is to look 99.5% like a F-250 with bed capper
The cladding removed makes it look more truck like IMO. So that's the route I'm probably going to follow. My goal is to look 99.5% like a F-250 with bed capper
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: US
I dont know but I think it looks better with the clad and it provides a bit of protection, makes it look bigger wider and finished, IMHO if I took mine out I would spray the same pattern with bed liner, thin coat. It comes if desert sand color.
Looks finished with cladding, I am surprised thou that the 3M vehicle double sided tape is coming off, is the area wax free, and did you use a gentle non petroleum based cleaner...and make sure its 3M. ?
One reason I sold my FJ was the bad a** PSD (No not diesel LOL) look, cladding is part of that. I wonder if those we used overseas, armored ones will ever go on auction...
Looks finished with cladding, I am surprised thou that the 3M vehicle double sided tape is coming off, is the area wax free, and did you use a gentle non petroleum based cleaner...and make sure its 3M. ?
One reason I sold my FJ was the bad a** PSD (No not diesel LOL) look, cladding is part of that. I wonder if those we used overseas, armored ones will ever go on auction...
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 1
From: Yakima, Wash.
As you can see on my truck, I bought it with the cladding missing on the doors.
Now I am waiting for some good weather to get rid of the rest of it. I like the "clean" look and I since I am missing the door panels, I want the Ex to look uniform. Once I get it all done, I will upload a pic or two. I did order the stone guards to cover the holes in the back, so when done, it should have a nice, clean, finished look.
Now I am waiting for some good weather to get rid of the rest of it. I like the "clean" look and I since I am missing the door panels, I want the Ex to look uniform. Once I get it all done, I will upload a pic or two. I did order the stone guards to cover the holes in the back, so when done, it should have a nice, clean, finished look.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
^I agree with above^ plus it leaves some holes when you remove it. Did you get ALL your money back from the rear end"
I would never take my cladding off, it starts to cheapen it at that point and it gets closer to the "stripped down utility model" look.
(2 above, he posted as I was typing).
I would never take my cladding off, it starts to cheapen it at that point and it gets closer to the "stripped down utility model" look.
(2 above, he posted as I was typing).
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 1
From: Yakima, Wash.
LOL, not naked, just showing a little leg 
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Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
I removed it on 1 Ex i had and i liked how it looked on that truck, but i would never remove it on my limited.
i vote keep it.
i vote keep it.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Havillah, WA
I took mine off to put on the cutout fenderflares. Kept it though cause i was thinking of maybe putting it back on. After driving it around this winter, I've decided they're going back on. I like the finished look plus it gives the big massive ol slab of metal some visual texture. certain cars have the curves/lines for the sleek look and IMO are only hurt by two-toned paint jobs and body armor (vettes and H1s come to mind). any color variation only detracts from the lines of the vehicle. On a big billboard like the X well a little breakup isn't a bad thing. In your particular case you have the same color but at least it's breaking up the body lines a bit. I'm gonna paint mine black textured to match the new flares and will eventually paint the steps and front aftermarket bumper to match as well.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 540
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From: North Florida
But here's the deal.... the Ex already has the "lines" built in to the body itself (look at David's photo above) on the doors and over the fenders... The original owner paid the premium for the "limited" package... but I did not.... so I didn't pay for the cladding to make it a limited..... but then again, IF I ever sell it, then someone might be looking for the cladding.... but on the other hand, I could have given two hoots about cladding or not when I bought it!!! .....
Baaack and forth.... baaaack and forth....
Thanks for the big pic David
Thank you all for your input thus far.
James
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,253
Likes: 763
From: Houston, Texas
On the left rear quarter panel, it sitcks out. It bothered me for the longest, but I got over it and just let it be until I figure something out.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
EXACTLY!!
But here's the deal.... the Ex already has the "lines" built in to the body itself (look at David's photo above) on the doors and over the fenders... The original owner paid the premium for the "limited" package... but I did not.... so I didn't pay for the cladding to make it a limited..... but then again, IF I ever sell it, then someone might be looking for the cladding.... but on the other hand, I could have given two hoots about cladding or not when I bought it!!! .....
Baaack and forth.... baaaack and forth....
Thanks for the big pic David
Thank you all for your input thus far.
James
But here's the deal.... the Ex already has the "lines" built in to the body itself (look at David's photo above) on the doors and over the fenders... The original owner paid the premium for the "limited" package... but I did not.... so I didn't pay for the cladding to make it a limited..... but then again, IF I ever sell it, then someone might be looking for the cladding.... but on the other hand, I could have given two hoots about cladding or not when I bought it!!! .....
Baaack and forth.... baaaack and forth....
Thanks for the big pic David
Thank you all for your input thus far.
James
