2009 Pilot Front Lower Trim

[pilotman7]

Hi All

I recently purchased a 2009 Pilot. I am debating on whether or not I should install the front lower trim. Is this item useful? It might look good.

Please help me decide.

[RSQ Pilot]

Originally Posted by pilotman7

Hi All

I recently purchased a 2009 Pilot. I am debating on whether or not I should install the front lower trim. Is this item useful? It might look good.

Please help me decide.

...cosmetic at best.....
A lot of effort required to install a piece of aluminum beauty trim.
JMO

[Canuck]

Originally Posted by pilotman7

Hi All

I recently purchased a 2009 Pilot. I am debating on whether or not I should install the front lower trim. Is this item useful? It might look good.

Please help me decide.

The lower trim is purely for looks IMO. It's made of aluminum and will not likely stand up to the function as a skid plate. And, like the previous poster notes... It is a lot of work to install. You have to dismantle the front bumper.

[pntballgunz]

If you haven't purchased the side fendwell trim, I would get those instead. Not only do they look good (IMO), they also at least provide some protection to door dings while parked in the parking lot.

[Kenspilot]

Originally Posted by pntballgunz

If you haven't purchased the side fendwell trim, I would get those instead. Not only do they look good (IMO), they also at least provide some protection to door dings while parked in the parking lot.

Never consider those fender trim as more then cosmetic until you brought up the fact that they can be useful to avoid dings. I've seen a number of car with dings on their fenders.

[pilotman7]

Originally Posted by Kenspilot

Never consider those fender trim as more then cosmetic until you brought up the fact that they can be useful to avoid dings. I've seen a number of car with dings on their fenders.

So the fender trim are more ideal to purchase. How will it look like on the vehicle?

[Johnjk]

I've got them on my 2011 and love them. Here are a couple shots. They are easy to put on and hold up well.

[Canuck]

Originally Posted by Kenspilot

Never consider those fender trim as more then cosmetic until you brought up the fact that they can be useful to avoid dings. I've seen a number of car with dings on their fenders.

There was a recent thread on rubber trim around fender wheel wells trapping road salt and moisture leading to rust.....

Rust above rear wheel due to bad trim

However, I am not sure if the application of the fender trim will cause the same problem or not. Something to consider though....

[Johnjk]

These are held on with screws in to existing holes and use body tape. You can remove them if you wanted (with a bit of work). From what I can see on mine, no issues with rust or trapped dirt. No issues with running them through a pressure wash or wash with rotating brushes.

[MavePilot]

I have fender trim installed on my 09 Pilot also. I love the black trim on the white Pilot and I think it does protect against dings and rock chips from the tires. Mine have been removed on the driver's side and reinstalled after a broad-side accident. No evidence of rust issues at all. In fact, I just got under my Pilot to spray it off after our first round of salt/winter and it looking amazing under there. I'm thinking the Pilot is coated well and will be rust resistant for awhile.