So I removed my side strips and definitely love the way it looks without them... it was kind of a pain but with the heat gun, some fishing line and the "rubber wheel" tool for my drill it wasn't as bad as I was expecting.

 

Any issues with the paint. Been thinking about doing this but scared of paint issues.

 

wow! that changed the look to awesome! maybe consider a clear side marker to get rid of the orange in the front end?

 

The only issue I had with the paint was where I refastened the side strip when I first got the car... I just used glue and it pulled a small piece of the paint off (about a 1/4" square) when the strip came off... other than that it all looks perfect and you can't see any traces of where the strips were.

 

Thanks! I do have to consider the clear marker... I need to look at other cars on the forum that have made the change... and I just looked at your car with both options and the clear does look awesome.

 

thank you, IMO, the orange does platinum paint no justice. The nice thing is that they are so inexpensive, and if you don't like it, you can always put the orange ones back in, takes 1 minute

 

Blindside, Consider putting Side Skirts down under the Doors like the 2005-2006! Also, you can remove the Cat on the Right-side by sliding it to the right......look in there to see if it is wired for Blinkers (Repeaters). If so, you can put Clear Repeaters on in place of the Cats.....Up to you! It's a pretty color and a pretty car!!!!

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

looks good I'm glad I never got the side strips on mine and I think it looks better that way (Nice photo skills too by the way.. pretty area)

 

Love the look with out the guards, my concern was with the possible paint color difference.

I'm in Florida also and the car is a Florida car so thought there might be a chance the paint under the strips might be darker.

Might have to remove one of the smaller pieces and see, can always put it back on.

Look's Great.

 

Mathew & Blindside, The XK had those little Side Strips through the 2003 Model and then removed it for the 2004 Model. Then in 2005 - 2006 they installed the Strip along the bottom of the Car....and the changed the Front Bumper or Nose-Piece and added the little bulge at the bottom to match-up with the Side Strips ...It's hard to tell the difference now between your 2001 without the little Strips and a 2004 since you have replaced the Grill! They are both beautiful Jags!

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

Like this:

 

MediaBobNY, Now that's what I'm talking about Bob! All the 2005 & 2006 XK's had that lower strip....I think it looks great! All you need do now is replace those Amber Blinkers with Clear ones and do the same to those Amber front Running lights.....Love that Seafrost on XK Convertibles, especially with that Tan Top! You hit that one out of the park!

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

Yeah, looks much better without the side strips. I did the same to my 2003. Actually wanted a 2004, but those are very hard to find, sooo added all the exact interior alloy bits, removed my side strips, and turned it into a 2004.
Chris, did you add an XKR tail bit on? That looks nice.

 

Yes I did... I just like the look of that spoiler and there was a forum member who had one he took of his XKR, so I bought it from him... it was a tad tricky to eyeball exactly where it should go but I used some painters tape and dry erase markers and got it perfect - or at least close to perfect

 

Beautiful! I did the same on mine.

 

Took my side stripes off when I did a re-paint. Love the outcome!

 

Jo those wheels look outstanding on your car. What brand are those? 19 or 20?