First mods: window tinting/PPF/ceramic OR lift + tires

[Itroyp]

Just rolled off the lot last week with my new Outerbanks BS and coming from a prior wrangler owner, I’m actually pumped about the “baby bronco”— already sank several hours into getting ideas for initial mods to make and by far the one that caught my eye the most was a XPEL PPF stealth wrap with 1.5” lift (plus other additions)

The PPF looks sweet, but a full PPF runs around $7,000 from what i’ve been quoted — frontal PPF + ceramic coating + window tinting was quoted around $2,800. This seems like the best route (on a tight budget ?), but I’m torn between going with this first, or going straight to the lift and tires.

If anyone has photos, thoughts, insights on PPF/ceramic coating they’d be greatly appreciated.
As far as lifts go, I know there’s probably ample options to choose from so any recommendations there are also welcome!

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[Dude]

I went 1st with the PPF in this configuration, price is in early 2022 dollars. Spent a lot of time researching quality shops and selected one after meeting with the owner.

$2,800 including tax, includes:
Prep: clean vehicle, apply clay bar (microfiber cloth with clay cleaning agent).
Swirl marks not removed but swirl marks hidden under the PPF thickness.

Film: XPel Ultimate Paint Protection Film 8mm - 10 Year Warranty. No exposed edges.
$1,500 Front Bumper, Full Hood, Full Front Fenders, Headlights, Door Edges (similar to door edge guard) & Door Cups.
$200 XPel Ultimate Paint Protection Film - “A” Pillar & Roof Line Protection (Front of roof at windshield: about 10”).
$400 Retail Clear Bra, Gas door (Fuel filler door), All piano black pillars and upper rear hatch (All pillars “B” to “D” / “E”: all Piano black covered).

$470 Van/Wagon/SUV - XPel XR Black Ceramic Series Tint - Lifetime Warranty
35% Front Doors, 50% All Rear Windows

Next had the Ceramic coating applied:
Automotive Ceramic Coating Sensha 8 year Premium Coating
$1,400 for complete exterior of vehicle including roof. Includes ceramic coating over the PPF Paint Protection Film. Includes interior Door Jam Coating all 4 doors plus rear hatch. Includes 4 Years of Products for my own maintenance of the vehicle.

If you do ceramic coating, coating the interior Door Jam for all 4 doors plus rear hatch is worth doing and added $100 (included in the $1,400 cost).

It’s expensive but after 2.5 years I still would recommend getting the above done. Would I ever do this on a future vehicle? Hmmm probably not. It’s a lot of $$$$ but makes cleaning the vehicle a trivial exercise.

Note: no more automated car washes except for spray only, no soap and no wax just water. And the spray jets cannot be “too strong” because that could cause the PPF to peel. The PPF shop and the Ceramic coating shop both provided recommended places to go which there are few in my area.

 

[Itroyp]

I went 1st with the PPF in this configuration, price is in early 2022 dollars. Spent a lot of time researching quality shops and selected one after meeting with the owner.

$2,800 including tax, includes:
Prep: clean vehicle, apply clay bar (microfiber cloth with clay cleaning agent).
Swirl marks not removed but swirl marks hidden under the PPF thickness.

Film: XPel Ultimate Paint Protection Film 8mm - 10 Year Warranty. No exposed edges.
$1,500 Front Bumper, Full Hood, Full Front Fenders, Headlights, Door Edges (similar to door edge guard) & Door Cups.
$200 XPel Ultimate Paint Protection Film - “A” Pillar & Roof Line Protection (Front of roof at windshield: about 10”).
$400 Retail Clear Bra, Gas door (Fuel filler door), All piano black pillars and upper rear hatch (All pillars “B” to “D” / “E”: all Piano black covered).

$470 Van/Wagon/SUV - XPel XR Black Ceramic Series Tint - Lifetime Warranty
35% Front Doors, 50% All Rear Windows

Next had the Ceramic coating applied:
Automotive Ceramic Coating Sensha 8 year Premium Coating
$1,400 for complete exterior of vehicle including roof. Includes ceramic coating over the PPF Paint Protection Film. Includes interior Door Jam Coating all 4 doors plus rear hatch. Includes 4 Years of Products for my own maintenance of the vehicle.

If you do ceramic coating, coating the interior Door Jam for all 4 doors plus rear hatch is worth doing and added $100 (included in the $1,400 cost).

It’s expensive but after 2.5 years I still would recommend getting the above done. Would I ever do this on a future vehicle? Hmmm probably not. It’s a lot of $$$$ but makes cleaning the vehicle a trivial exercise.

Note: no more automated car washes except for spray only, no soap and no wax just water. And the spray jets cannot be “too strong” because that could cause the PPF to peel. The PPF shop and the Ceramic coating shop both provided recommended places to go which there are few in my area.

I appreciate the thorough response!

All of what you said pretty much lines up with what I discussed with the guys at Tint World (I think they’re nation wide company?) seemed reputable and fair — I do think this route would make more sense for initial upgrades over lift/tires!

Looks like you have the cactus grey/black color scheme as well — it definitely caught my eye on the lot!

 

[Dude]

I appreciate the thorough response!

All of what you said pretty much lines up with what I discussed with the guys at Tint World (I think they’re nation wide company?) seemed reputable and fair — I do think this route would make more sense for initial upgrades over lift/tires!

Looks like you have the cactus grey/black color scheme as well — it definitely caught my eye on the lot!

Close.. I have Area 51. Here is a pic of picking up at ceramic coating shop.

 

[Chiefthepup]

Close.. I have Area 51. Here is a pic of picking up at ceramic coating shop.

God damn that looks good!

 

[Chiefthepup]

Just rolled off the lot last week with my new Outerbanks BS and coming from a prior wrangler owner, I’m actually pumped about the “baby bronco”— already sank several hours into getting ideas for initial mods to make and by far the one that caught my eye the most was a XPEL PPF stealth wrap with 1.5” lift (plus other additions)

The PPF looks sweet, but a full PPF runs around $7,000 from what i’ve been quoted — frontal PPF + ceramic coating + window tinting was quoted around $2,800. This seems like the best route (on a tight budget ?), but I’m torn between going with this first, or going straight to the lift and tires.

If anyone has photos, thoughts, insights on PPF/ceramic coating they’d be greatly appreciated.
As far as lifts go, I know there’s probably ample options to choose from so any recommendations there are also welcome!

I vote doing the ppf ceramic coating and tint first! Although I love how my sport looks with a lift and beefier tires. The fact is, I’m driving to and from work 99.99% of the time. So I basically took a 3-5mpg hit(I’ve yet to hit 30 mpg since installing both) for no reason haha. The ppf/ceramic/tint has much more practical use plus you can take advantage of the brand new tires. Like maybe consider the lift+tires once your stock tires start running down a bit? Just my .02!

 

[Itroyp]

I vote doing the ppf ceramic coating and tint first! Although I love how my sport looks with a lift and beefier tires. The fact is, I’m driving to and from work 99.99% of the time. So I basically took a 3-5mpg hit(I’ve yet to hit 30 mpg since installing both) for no reason haha. The ppf/ceramic/tint has much more practical use plus you can take advantage of the brand new tires. Like maybe consider the lift+tires once your stock tires start running down a bit? Just my .02!

Yeah, that’s kinda what I was thinking as well as far as being immediately practical…good point!

 

[Itroyp]

Close.. I have Area 51. Here is a pic of picking up at ceramic coating shop.

I like it a lot!

 

[B-Dog15]

I went with bigger tires as my first mod. Currently working on adding fog lights (if I can do it with OEM harness and headlight switch swap). I am eventually going to go with a 2" Eibach spring lift soon as well.

I say all that to say.... The ceramic coating is probably the best option for a first mod. By far the most useful and practical. The reason I went with bigger tires first is mainly because I couldn't stand the look/feel of the stock Conti's so I went with KO2's (245/65/). Definitely makes the truck more capable especially in this mid-west weather BUT I think the folks above are correct in that a coating will be way more useful.

 

[Dude]

A month ago the OE Pirelli’s (at 25k miles) had to be replaced. Went with these Falkens..

 

[Uncle Buck]

I’m 100% on board with doing the Xpel and Ceramic first. You can always do tires, but once you get a rock chip in your paint you’ve got it forever.

Not all PPF is created equal, and you are right to be going with Xpel. Best out there. We did PPF for everything forward of the A pillar, including the grill. Also along the rocker panels/lower part of the doors.

Then ceramic on the entire vehicle, including glass and plastic trim. Xpel makes 4-5 types of ceramic for the various surfaces - paint, glass, etc. Stuff is so slick that when my wife wanted a sticker on the bumper it kept falling off!

Congratulations on the Sport !

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Just rolled off the lot last week with my new Outerbanks BS and coming from a prior wrangler owner, I’m actually pumped about the “baby bronco”— already sank several hours into getting ideas for initial mods to make and by far the one that caught my eye the most was a XPEL PPF stealth wrap with 1.5” lift (plus other additions)

The PPF looks sweet, but a full PPF runs around $7,000 from what i’ve been quoted — frontal PPF + ceramic coating + window tinting was quoted around $2,800. This seems like the best route (on a tight budget ?), but I’m torn between going with this first, or going straight to the lift and tires.

If anyone has photos, thoughts, insights on PPF/ceramic coating they’d be greatly appreciated.
As far as lifts go, I know there’s probably ample options to choose from so any recommendations there are also welcome!

Congratulations on your Bronco, Ian. We hope you enjoy making it your own with the mods!

 

[B-Dog15]

A month ago the OE Pirelli’s (at 25k miles) had to be replaced. Went with these Falkens..

What are these? These look fantastic

 

[BSBB4Les]

We had planned to drop our 2024 BB with the Azure gray metallic tri coat for ceramic coat and window tinting this morning, but we're now under a wildfire watch and might need the BS to haul stuff. As soon as we're clear of that we're going to have it done. Dude, yours looks awesome! Thanks for sharing the picture. Now I can't wait to see ours when it's done!

 

[Dude]

What are these? These look fantastic

They are
FALKEN WILDPEAK A/T4W
Tire size 235/65R17

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