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SUV Upgrades

Adding sport to your sport utility

Ever check out those surprising "Before and After" pictures in muscle magazines? The Charles Atlas transformation is invariably startling, almost unbelievable. Now imagine that degree of change for your stock SUV, giving it a stronger physique. Installing bolt-on parts is not that difficult nor necessarily expensive, but the resulting change can be astonishing. "It's all about putting personality back into your personal transportation—it's not a toaster after all," points out Larry Weiner of Performance West Group, a company that specializes in creating trend-setting show cars and trucks.

The great thing about personalizing your SUV with bolt-on parts is that it can be done in stages, just a little bit at a time, so you can pay as you go. "We encourage people to buy complete packages, a design concept, so the vehicle has the right result," says Alex Cates of Team Stillen, a company that offers a wide range of SUV body-styling upgrades. "But you don't have to do it all at once, as long as you keep the goal in mind."

Wheels/Tires

So what's the best way to begin? "The most dramatic enhancement you can make is in the wheel and tire package," says Weiner. "It requires no modifications, and can be done in an hour or so for that 'immediate gratification factor.' No matter what else you do to your SUV, your eye goes straight to those custom wheels."

What are the latest styles in wheels? "Chrome has made a huge resurgence in the custom wheel market," Weiner adds. "There's also a lot more detail, depth and edging for multiple light reflections that draw your eye. And you don't always have to pay a lot more for custom wheels, because once a new design comes out, a lot of lower price imitations usually follow."

A taller rim often is more noticeable and more dramatic. If you opt for taller rims, you can fit them with lower-profile tires to retain the same overall tire diameter as stock. This is known as plus sizing, and it means you won't have to recalibrate your speedometer or worry about any computer issues. (Some vehicle's computers need to be reprogrammed to accept a tire that isn't stock size.)

Tinting/Graphics

Once your baby has new booties, the next step is a cool pair of shades—tinted windows, that is. "Window tinting also has an immediate impact," Weiner adds. "It adds more contrast—especially on a light-colored SUV—by making the greenhouse darker. It's creates a seductive, cave-like feel. But you don't want to go too far and break the law. You shouldn't make the tinting overly dark, or put it on the front windshield."

You can include in that treatment some smoke-colored thermoplastic headlight covers or wind deflectors for an even more mysterious look. But there's a new trend in covers: "We've found the clear or white, high-intensity lenses and turn signals are really taking off in popularity," Cates says. "It depends a bit on the area of the country. Back east, tinted lenses are still the thing, but in California, there's a different style."

Stick-on graphics and pinstriping are also a quick way to create visual impact. One caution, however: "Those graphics are not as easy to apply as you might think," advises Weiner. "I'd recommend having a window-tint shop handle that job."

Bars/Guards

For a more rugged, off-road appearance, trim items such as tubular brush guards are another approach. They can be used to cover lights and bumpers, and also serve as side step. Some body enhancements will add utility to a vehicle, too. For instance, custom-molded running boards will provide a little help getting into and out of a SUV. Grab bars also can make a stylish addition to the outside of a truck—and provide some assistance when you're getting into a tall vehicle. A rack of auxiliary lights on the roof fits in nicely with this type of package, but also come in handy in a roadside emergency.

Body Kits

You'll probably find that once you start making modifications to your SUV, it gets a bit addictive, and you'll want to do more and more. If that's the case, pump up the body with some racy and aerodynamic body kit components, such as bumper covers or ground effects pieces. A new grille, front fascia, side skirts, fender flares and a rear roll pan will give your SUV a radically different appearance. "The grilles are really in demand," says Cates, "because they're really affordable, easy to install, and offer the most dramatic change for the money." Except for the metal grilles, most of these body enhancements are made from fiberglass or high-quality plastic, and they come primered and ready for paint. Your local paint and body shop should be able to match them to your vehicle and handle the installation.

A more muscular hood also makes a dramatic difference. Some hoods are available with a scoop or cowl induction to accommodate a supercharger (or to make it look as if you've got something good under your hood). If the scoop is functional, it will let in cold air or vent hot underhood air for a performance benefit. Intake systems, which can cost less than $200, are easy to install and can add anywhere from eight to 15 hp.

Exhaust Tips

If you're making a performance statement with your SUV, you'll probably want to add some exhaust tips or a complete cat-back system, which can provide as much as a 15-hp boost. Perhaps more important, they give your engine a deeper rumble. "A new exhaust creates what I call 'placebo power.' If your SUV sounds powerful, then people think it must be powerful," Weiner points out. "A distinctive exhaust note satisfies that urge to let people know you've arrived." And getting noticed in your SUV is the whole point, isn't it?

Resources

Performance West Group, Inc., 760-630-3085, www.performancewestgroup.com

Team Stillen, Steve Millen Sportparts, Inc., 714-540-5566, www.stillen.com