PLEASE NOTE:

Prior to painting the U.P. Ascension Front Fascia, make sure to test fit it to your vehicle, as well as properly clean / degrease the piece to remove any latent contamination from production or handling. We recommend that for vinyl-wrapped applications, these parts, as well as the Fascia should be prepped in a similar fashion to paint to ensure a smooth wrap-ready surface. In the event that, for cost or time savings, the customer desires to wrap the bumper without first painting, please take extreme caution and understand that an improperly prepped part may show small imperfections through the wrap. If painting and are heating to assist the curing process, do not exceed 130°F (55°C). We strongly recommend curing parts at room temperature.

If you are experiencing a fitment issue, our necessary procedures include using the proper supplies in fabricating corrections with Urethane adhesives.

Please ensure consistent paint thickness on and around the tow loop cover. If paint build-up occurs, it may impact the fitment of the cover into the Fascia.

If the bumper arrives with any distortions: Please place it on flat ground and in direct sunlight. The sun’s natural heat will straighten out the bumper as the bumper has memory retention for shape.

Cutting or Modifying the bumper: Should you feel the fascia requires any modification to fit please do not proceed without first contacting support@unpluggedperformance.com as modification to the bumper may cause irreversible problems.

A Note On Thickness: All Ascension bumpers are intentionally adjusted for thickness in the highly sensitive area where the autopilot radar is located behind the bumper. This area is intentionally thinner to allow for adequate paint thickness without autopilot radar interference. Upon development research we have found scenarios in which repainted factory bumpers created autopilot obstructions if primer and paint is too thick. As a result and to reduce risk of paint thickness interference all bumpers are intentionally more thin in this sensitive area. Please do not add additional material to thicken this area as it may create radar interference.

STEP 1

REMOVE FRUNK TRIM PANELS

Prior to installation, the wheels, as well as the inner frunk trim panels must be removed for installation on all vehicles. To do so, begin by removing the plastic upper cowl cover trim panel (below the windshield) (FIGURE-1 ORANGE)

Next, flip up the small caps (FIGURE-1 YELLOW) and remove the two 10mm bolts.

Remove the front trim panel and lift up the rug and find the additional 10mm bolts securing lower section of the frunk tub to the chassis and remove them (FIGURE-2 YELLOW).

Remove the cowl duct by pulling firmly upward (releasing the white retaining clips) (FIGURE-3).

Pull up to remove the frunk tub.

STEP 2

REMOVE FACTORY FASCIA

Remove push rivet retainers from the fender liners (FIGURE-4).

Pull back the fender liner, locate the 10mm nut behind the air guide and remove it (FIGURE-5).

Remove the push rivet retainers from the under cover. (FIGURE-6)

STEP 2 CONT'D:

REMOVE FACTORY FASCIA

Remove the 10mm bolts attaching the factory fascia to the vehicle (FIGURE-7)

When the screws are removed, the factory fascia should be free to remove from the vehicle.

NOTE: WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND 2 OR MORE PEOPLE FOR THIS PROCESS.To remove, grasp each side of the factory fascia near the headlamp / fender and pull towards the front of the vehicle. (FIGURE-8)

While removing the factory fascia, you will need to unplug its wiring harness from the vehicle. The plug is located on the right side of the vehicle. (FIGURE-9)

STEP 3

REMOVE COMPONENTS FROM FACTORY FASCIA

Detach the wiring harness from the factory fascia, unplugging the lamp modules, each of the parking sensors, as well as the motorized louvers. (At this time, also remove the emergency hood release contact from the tow loop receiver cover; it is attached via double-sided tape.) (FIGURE-10)

Remove the T-25 Torx screws that attach the lamp modules to the fascia (FIGURE-11 YELLOW).

Remove the four T-25 Torx screws that attach the motorized louvers to the fascia (FIGURE-11 PINK).

Detach the parking sensors from the factory fascia. Be careful to not damage the sensors, or the retainers attached to the factory fascia. (FIGURE-12)

Carefully pry the motorized louver module from the factory fascia tabs (FIGURE-13).

STEP 4

INSTALL FACTORY COMPONENTS

Next, the lamp modules, wiring harness and parking sensors will be transferred to the Ascension Front Fascia in reverse order of removal from the factory fascia. The wiring harness does not need to be re-clipped in place as it will pull on the sensors due to the bumper being longer than OEM. The harness will not move or shift.

The mounting bosses are left un-drilled to accommodate for the small variances in the factory components. Holes will need to be drilled when transferring the OEM components to the Ascension Fascia. Prior to drilling, fit the OEM components to their respective locations on the Ascension Fascia and mark the hole locations (FIGURE-14 + 15). Once the optimal position is found, drill the appropriate holes (FIGURE-16) into the mounting bosses using an 1/8” (3.50mm) drill bit.

Install the components using the factory screws (FIGURE-17).

STEP 5

INSTALL PARKING SENSOR HOLDERS

FIGURE-18 depicts the included replacement parking sensor holders (with the factory sensors installed for demonstration).

Prior to attempting to install the parking sensor holders onto the Ascension Fascia, we recommend lightly sanding and cleaning the surface area around the parking sensor holes (FIGURE-19).

Install the factory parking sensors into the supplied holders.

Remove the backing from the double-sided tape and apply the parking sensor holders, and affix them to the Ascension Fascia, noting the orientation (match the factory direction). Press firmly for at least 15 seconds to allow the double-sided tape to properly adhere. If you have trouble with sensor bracket mounts due to extreme weather conditions, you may consider using an adhesive promoter to ensure the brackets retain proper positioning. Any damages to the facia caused by the use of an adhesive promotor are not covered under warranty.

STEP 6

REATTACH WIRING HARNESS

Install and reconnect the factory wiring harness to the sensors, lamp modules and motorized louver panel (FIGURE-21 + 22).

STEP 7

ATTACH EMERGENCY HOOD RELEASE

FIGURE-23
FIGURE-23

Next, the emergency hood release will need to be attached to the Ascension Fascia’s included tow loop cover panel. To do so, the factory double-sided tape should be removed from the mount attached to the hood release positive lead, and new tape should be applied. Before attaching the tow loop cover panel, make sure to clean the backside of it thoroughly with alcohol to remove any surface contamination (if this is skipped, the double-sided tape may not properly adhere) (FIGURE-23)

STEP 8

INSTALL ASCENSION FASCIA ONTO VEHICLE

Prior to installation of the Fascia, we recommend taping the bottoms of the headlamps, as well as the leading edges of the front fenders to prevent accidental damage (FIGURE-24).

Follow steps 1 and 2 in reverse to install the Ascension Fascia onto the vehicle

NOTE: Don’t forget to reconnect the Fascia’s sub-harness prior to mounting the Fascia! (FIGURE-25)

TROUBESHOOTING GUIDE NOTES:

FIGURE-26
FIGURE-26

Prior to the paint and the final installation of the fascia, we always recommend test fitting to get accurate and consistent results.

Naturally not all Model 3’s have identical panel gaps and body panel alignment. As a result, every installer should take focus to optimizing specific vehicle fitment. In cases where fitment may need minor adjustment (example shown in image) we advise the following steps to optimize.

Step 1: Use calipers to accuratelu measure the needed amount of dimensional distance adjustment

Step 2: Prep the area for needed addition or subtraction of material for the adjustment determined. Note that the quality of sanding and cleaning will heavily determine the outcome of the adjustment.

Step 3: When subracting material, use a file or dremel tool, depending on the size of the adjustment. In the event that material needs to be added, use urethane filler such as 3M Urethane Repair or equivalent.

Step 4: Validate that the adjustments are correctly matched to the vehicle being installed prior to proceeding with paint and completion.

FOLLOW UNPLUGGED PERFORMANCE
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
UNPLUGGED PERFORMANCE SHOP
ACCEPTS CRYPTO PAYMENTS
Payment Options - Bitcoin, DogeCoin, Ethereum, LiteCoin, Binance Coin
STEP UP YOUR TESLA'S PERFORMANCE
GET UNPLUGGED
Only our subscribers get early access & product launch details about new releases from Unplugged Performance. Let us know what Tesla vehicle models you own by signing up for our mailing list now.
close