Sponsored

mkhuffman

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Nov 9, 2020
Threads
3
Messages
1,159
Reaction score
1,336
Location
Virginia
Vehicles
2025 R1T Tri-Max, Jeep GC-L, VW Jetta, Kia POS
I have been following Rivan for years, as you can see from when I joined this forum. In fact, Rivian is the company that first got me interested in driving a BEV. I was blown away with 400+ miles of range and 0-60 in 4 seconds. Well, it took too long for Rivian to release from announcement, so I ended up purchasing my first BEV from Ford. Great car, but still. Rivian.

Anyway, I have never liked the front facade. The sides and rear are great, but the front? I get the marketing aspect: make it unique so people get to know your brand. Even though I wish RJ had been a little more conservative, the unique front end is a cool differentiator.

Since the reveal I have been watching those who have modified the front, and trying to figure out what I would do if I ever got one. Well, I got one.

My changes are very subtle. I think the distinctiveness of the front is important. But the oval headlights just look goofy. Sorry. Anyway, the changes I made, while subtle, take the goofy edge off. I love the Storm Blue color, absolutely love it, but it makes it more difficult for the mods I made to be apparent. They would look a lot better with a lighter color. Maybe Sand Dune?

I wanted to take advantage of the new Gen2 light bar design, and emphasize how it is cut. I noticed that it is hard to see the details of the design because the lightbar is made out of clear material. So I put black vinyl on the light bar, under when it angles down, so that the outline of the bar profile is more apparent.

Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! vTBFyrghNvbC498MAiMU2EI?key=6e93Z3SeBES4DT0hpcxnfQ


I put a strip of vinyl on the painted surface above and below the light bar, between the headlights, to give it a more imposing appearance. It is hard to see on the darker paint color, but in the right light, it looks great.

The circled area is where I put another smaller strip of vinyl, to make the lightbar smaller. It works well, but when I tried to do it on the left and right sides of the headlights, it didn’t look good there. So I took it off. It is hard to appreciate in the photos, but that little strip above the bar does improve the appearance.

Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! 1f3nDYWeG-qNgxQhxscd0kA?key=6e93Z3SeBES4DT0hpcxnfQ


And finally, as you can see in the above photo, I put a little piece of black vinyl above the headlight, giving it a slight eyelid look. I thought about angling it in and covering more of the light assembly to make it look aggressive, but then it would be obvious I modified the headlight appearance. I wanted something subtle, that made the headlights look less like the eyes of a hippopotamus, and just more appealing. The slight eyelid cover achieves that, I think, without substantially changing the look that makes it a Rivian.

And finally, I added a yellow stripe to the side to tie the calipers into the Rivian yellow motif. I did something similar on my Mach-e with red, since the calipers were red, and I think this little stipe adds a little class to the side. I am still considering adding more yellow somewhere, like on the front tow hooks, but not sure if that is too much or not. What do you think?

Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! pUySC3UWzIBMhFQvoMjQEcw?key=6e93Z3SeBES4DT0hpcxnfQ


Let me know if you have any questions about how I did this. I can share vinyl information, how I applied it, etc. Just let me know in this thread if you are interested.

Here are some pictures of what it looks like from various views, and with the headlights on and off.

Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! 54500544157_6511df0f16_o


Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! 54501406396_df47e64035_o


Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! 54500543267_dedc792f09_o


Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! 54502184251_43aca0d053_o


Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! 54502451918_30ffae19c6_o


Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! 54447803898_98a984c7e6_o
Sponsored

 
Last edited:
OP
OP
mkhuffman

mkhuffman

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Nov 9, 2020
Threads
3
Messages
1,159
Reaction score
1,336
Location
Virginia
Vehicles
2025 R1T Tri-Max, Jeep GC-L, VW Jetta, Kia POS
I really like the yellow accent on the side. I’m ok with the front. It is so minimalistic, I don’t notice it.
I think a little more yellow somewhere would be good, but don't want it to be too much. But the yellow contrast does look great.

I also thought about making the top white, like the old Bronco look. Not sure about that.
 

atR1S

Well-Known Member
First Name
Andy
Joined
Jun 30, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
225
Reaction score
332
Location
Tennessee
Vehicles
2022 R1T, 2023 R1S
Clubs
 
Yellow stripe on the side is nice and sporty looking. I personally love the front design and its uniqueness. I can spot a Rivian from far off and that’s not a bad thing IMO
 

malditofman

Well-Known Member
First Name
David
Joined
Aug 14, 2024
Threads
5
Messages
633
Reaction score
762
Location
Rancho Cucamonga
Vehicles
R1T R2
I have been following Rivan for years, as you can see from when I joined this forum. In fact, Rivian is the company that first got me interested in driving a BEV. I was blown away with 400+ miles of range and 0-60 in 4 seconds. Well, it took too long for Rivian to release from announcement, so I ended up purchasing my first BEV from Ford. Great car, but still. Rivian.

Anyway, I have never liked the front facade. The sides and rear are great, but the front? I get the marketing aspect: make it unique so people get to know your brand. Even though I wish RJ had been a little more conservative, the unique front end is a cool differentiator.

Since the reveal I have been watching those who have modified the front, and trying to figure out what I would do if I ever got one. Well, I got one.

My changes are very subtle. I think the distinctiveness of the front is important. But the oval headlights just look goofy. Sorry. Anyway, the changes I made, while subtle, take the goofy edge off. I love the Storm Blue color, absolutely love it, but it makes it more difficult for the mods I made to be apparent. They would look a lot better with a lighter color. Maybe Sand Dune?

I wanted to take advantage of the new Gen2 light bar design, and emphasize how it is cut. I noticed that it is hard to see the details of the design because the lightbar is made out of clear material. So I put black vinyl on the light bar, under when it angles down, so that the outline of the bar profile is more apparent.

vTBFyrghNvbC498MAiMU2EI?key=6e93Z3SeBES4DT0hpcxnfQ.jpg


I put a strip of vinyl on the painted surface above and below the light bar, between the headlights, to give it a more imposing appearance. It is hard to see on the darker paint color, but in the right light, it looks great.

The circled area is where I put another smaller strip of vinyl, to make the lightbar smaller. It works well, but when I tried to do it on the left and right sides of the headlights, it didn’t look good there. So I took it off. It is hard to appreciate in the photos, but that little strip above the bar does improve the appearance.

1f3nDYWeG-qNgxQhxscd0kA?key=6e93Z3SeBES4DT0hpcxnfQ.jpg


And finally, as you can see in the above photo, I put a little piece of black vinyl above the headlight, giving it a slight eyelid look. I thought about angling it in and covering more of the light assembly to make it look aggressive, but then it would be obvious I modified the headlight appearance. I wanted something subtle, that made the headlights look less like the eyes of a hippopotamus, and just more appealing. The slight eyelid cover achieves that, I think, without substantially changing the look that makes it a Rivian.

And finally, I added a yellow stripe to the side to tie the calipers into the Rivian yellow motif. I did something similar on my Mach-e with red, since the calipers were red, and I think this little stipe adds a little class to the side. I am still considering adding more yellow somewhere, like on the front tow hooks, but not sure if that is too much or not. What do you think?

pUySC3UWzIBMhFQvoMjQEcw?key=6e93Z3SeBES4DT0hpcxnfQ.jpg


Let me know if you have any questions about how I did this. I can share vinyl information, how I applied it, etc. Just let me know in this thread if you are interested.

Here are some pictures of what it looks like from various views, and with the headlights on and off.

54500544157_6511df0f16_o.jpg


54501406396_df47e64035_o.jpg


54500543267_dedc792f09_o.jpg


54502184251_43aca0d053_o.jpg


54502451918_30ffae19c6_o.jpg


54447803898_98a984c7e6_o.jpg
Doesn't look much different to me, but hey, whatever floats your boat. Enjoy. Drive well.
 

Sponsored

icy1007

Active Member
First Name
Jason
Joined
Apr 15, 2025
Threads
0
Messages
35
Reaction score
32
Location
Ohio
Vehicles
Considering R1S Tri Motor
Occupation
Software Developer
The front is good as it is. No need to change it.
 

iamnid

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2023
Threads
6
Messages
329
Reaction score
321
Location
California
Vehicles
Mercedes EQE, Rivian R1S
You want my honest opinion?

I think the yellow stripe looks good.

The light bar doesn't look very different at night; however, I think the vinyl makes it look worse during the day. I especially don't like the vinyl on the hood and the tops of the headlights.
 

shamoo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2022
Threads
4
Messages
510
Reaction score
674
Location
SoCal
Vehicles
Rivian R1S, Porsche 911 GT3
Occupation
Cybersecurity
I was ready to roll my eyes when I clicked on this link, but I am surprised at how good it looks. Very subtle. I like it!! Sadly I don't have a 2nd gen so I can't do the same on my front light bar.

I'm not a fan at all of those who tint their light bar/headlights or vinyl it up with a logo. But this is 👌
 

bmedfo1

Well-Known Member
First Name
Brad
Joined
Jun 25, 2021
Threads
15
Messages
193
Reaction score
237
Location
08054
Vehicles
2022 R1T launch edition 20" AT Carbon wrap
Occupation
CFO
I completely agree with you about the front looking like a happy Hippo and that is a big turn off for me on my 800HP truck. I blacked mine out but am still not 100% happy with it. I think the Gen 2 is a little better and I like what you did and will probably try something like that if/When I ever get my Gen2 quad.
 

DayTripping

Well-Known Member
First Name
Timothy
Joined
Sep 12, 2024
Threads
10
Messages
1,418
Reaction score
1,870
Location
DFW
Vehicles
Gen1 R1T QM, S Plaid, Highland 3 Perf, 3 Long Range, R2 on order
Occupation
Consultant
I was actually thinking about some cheesy graphics since I put my topper on. Nothing says supertruck (or car) like cheesy graphics and stripes. I was considering putting a big yellow stripe like a skunk down my entire truck, or maybe more like Herbie the Love Bug if anyone is old enough to remember that movie or saw the reruns. Or maybe just a slight off-center skunk line down the truck.

Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! 1746645291918-9x


Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! 1746645802038-8b


Then I saw your tasteful side stripes and thought I might scale it back a bit to be a bit more understated. I was thinking about a line going maybe from about the height of my front tow hook covers all the way back. Which was pretty close to your line, but maybe do mine as thick as the tow hook covers.

Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! IMG_4479


As for the headlights, I like them better in the dark than in daylight. Then again in general, I like the G1 face with foglights better than the G2 with the turn signals where the foglights were previously.

Just in case it wasn't obvious, I was joking a bit at the beginning but I have been thinking about some subtle graphics to break the truck up a bit.
 

Sponsored

cohall

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2020
Threads
64
Messages
1,472
Reaction score
5,107
Location
Denver
Vehicles
2022 Rivian R1T
I usually hate mods like stickers. But, I will admit the subtle yellow stripe against the Storm Blue does actually look nice.

I'm indifferent to the front changes. Not really noticeable, which is a good thing for me.
 

JMACCA

Well-Known Member
First Name
JOHN
Joined
Jan 14, 2022
Threads
1
Messages
106
Reaction score
50
Location
TUSTIN, CA
Vehicles
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
Occupation
ANESTHESIOLOGIST
Clubs
 
I have been following Rivan for years, as you can see from when I joined this forum. In fact, Rivian is the company that first got me interested in driving a BEV. I was blown away with 400+ miles of range and 0-60 in 4 seconds. Well, it took too long for Rivian to release from announcement, so I ended up purchasing my first BEV from Ford. Great car, but still. Rivian.

Anyway, I have never liked the front facade. The sides and rear are great, but the front? I get the marketing aspect: make it unique so people get to know your brand. Even though I wish RJ had been a little more conservative, the unique front end is a cool differentiator.

Since the reveal I have been watching those who have modified the front, and trying to figure out what I would do if I ever got one. Well, I got one.

My changes are very subtle. I think the distinctiveness of the front is important. But the oval headlights just look goofy. Sorry. Anyway, the changes I made, while subtle, take the goofy edge off. I love the Storm Blue color, absolutely love it, but it makes it more difficult for the mods I made to be apparent. They would look a lot better with a lighter color. Maybe Sand Dune?

I wanted to take advantage of the new Gen2 light bar design, and emphasize how it is cut. I noticed that it is hard to see the details of the design because the lightbar is made out of clear material. So I put black vinyl on the light bar, under when it angles down, so that the outline of the bar profile is more apparent.

vTBFyrghNvbC498MAiMU2EI?key=6e93Z3SeBES4DT0hpcxnfQ.jpg


I put a strip of vinyl on the painted surface above and below the light bar, between the headlights, to give it a more imposing appearance. It is hard to see on the darker paint color, but in the right light, it looks great.

The circled area is where I put another smaller strip of vinyl, to make the lightbar smaller. It works well, but when I tried to do it on the left and right sides of the headlights, it didn’t look good there. So I took it off. It is hard to appreciate in the photos, but that little strip above the bar does improve the appearance.

1f3nDYWeG-qNgxQhxscd0kA?key=6e93Z3SeBES4DT0hpcxnfQ.jpg


And finally, as you can see in the above photo, I put a little piece of black vinyl above the headlight, giving it a slight eyelid look. I thought about angling it in and covering more of the light assembly to make it look aggressive, but then it would be obvious I modified the headlight appearance. I wanted something subtle, that made the headlights look less like the eyes of a hippopotamus, and just more appealing. The slight eyelid cover achieves that, I think, without substantially changing the look that makes it a Rivian.

And finally, I added a yellow stripe to the side to tie the calipers into the Rivian yellow motif. I did something similar on my Mach-e with red, since the calipers were red, and I think this little stipe adds a little class to the side. I am still considering adding more yellow somewhere, like on the front tow hooks, but not sure if that is too much or not. What do you think?

pUySC3UWzIBMhFQvoMjQEcw?key=6e93Z3SeBES4DT0hpcxnfQ.jpg


Let me know if you have any questions about how I did this. I can share vinyl information, how I applied it, etc. Just let me know in this thread if you are interested.

Here are some pictures of what it looks like from various views, and with the headlights on and off.

54500544157_6511df0f16_o.jpg


54501406396_df47e64035_o.jpg


54500543267_dedc792f09_o.jpg


54502184251_43aca0d053_o.jpg


54502451918_30ffae19c6_o.jpg


54447803898_98a984c7e6_o.jpg
Great looking truck....planning same color scheme on my R2.....really like the side accent and front blackout.
 

miggity02

Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Mar 18, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
10
Reaction score
4
Location
SF Bay Area
Vehicles
Gen2 R1T, Audi SQ5, Triumph Street Triple R
I like the side striping. A little something to give some contrast. Where did you get it from and are there other colors available?
 

Gurule92

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2024
Threads
16
Messages
151
Reaction score
165
Location
Colorado
Vehicles
19 Tesla Model X Raven & 22 R1T, Adventure, QM, Glacier White.
Occupation
Cyber Stuff
I love me some extra yellow.

I've been thinking about a roof delete, I used to do pillar delete on my 3 and Y but I think the rivian wouldlook pretty good with the hummer treatment.

Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! 1746657400236-de
Rivian R1T R1S Front appearance improvement with vinyl on front light bar + side stripes! PXL_20250429_141720966~2

lol someone want to photoshop that better?
Sponsored

 
 








Top