Systems and methods for installing vehicle body accessories on corresponding vehicle bodies

A method of installing a vehicle-body accessory on a corresponding vehicle body, the method comprising:

• providing a vehicle-body accessory having a first outer side configured to generally face away from the corresponding vehicle body and a second inner side configured to generally face toward the corresponding vehicle body;
• providing an intermediate structural member having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes either:
• a plurality of discrete projections extending from the first side, the plurality of discrete projections including a first plurality of support surfaces;
• or
• a plurality of discrete depressions extending into the first side, wherein the first side includes a first plurality of support surfaces adjacent to the plurality of discrete depressions;
• and wherein the second side includes either:
• a plurality of discrete projections extending from the first side, the plurality of discrete projections including a second plurality of support surfaces;
• or
• a plurality of discrete depressions extending into the first side, wherein the first side includes a second plurality of support surfaces adjacent to the plurality of discrete depressions;
• providing a plurality of lengths of adhesive material;
• securing at least a first length of adhesive material to at least a subset of the first plurality of support surfaces;
• securing at least a second length of adhesive material to at least a subset of the second plurality of support surfaces;
• positioning the intermediate structural member in a predetermined position relative to the corresponding vehicle body so that the first length of adhesive material secures the intermediate structural member to the corresponding vehicle body;
• and
• positioning the vehicle-body accessory in a predetermined position relative to the intermediate structural member so that the second length of adhesive material secures the vehicle-body accessory to the intermediate structural member.