I'm the original owner of my 2002 4Runner Limited. It has worked wonderfully over the years. When my son turned 16 I decided to let him drive it and for the most part he has done a great job.

However, a couple of months ago, he was driving and some fool decided that he was going to drive straight at him until he swerved. Well, he swerved and ran off the road and into a small ditch. He was ok, a little shaken up, but ok but the 4Runner had some minor damage to the front bumper (and I don't even remember what happened to the rear corner. Maybe then or some other time).

I'm in the mood to fix up the 4Runner and make it look nice. I can price out the parts relatively cheap. However, the big cost is painting them to sort of match. Since it's a 2002 and has been through a lot, it's going to look "different".

I wanted to see if someone had a suggestion for another way to go with the front that would look good while also not requiring me to paint it. I was thinking about maybe putting a front winch on, maybe a chrome bumper, or something along those lines.

Or, if you have any tips or tricks on how to paint up a new bumper, valance, and back bumper that would look good. I'm all ears.

Any ideas? Thanks for the help!




BONUS POINTS if someone can tell me why this looks like fingerprints on the door handle but they just won't clean of.

Aftermarket bumpers front and rear, but it won't be cheap but maybe if you're lucky the cost of buying and painting OEM bumpers.

The finger prints looks like someone open the door when they had "Deet" bug repellent or a solvent on their fingers that dissolved the paint, take it to your local police station and have them run the prints to discover who it was.

Right now I can get the aftermarket:

• Front Bumper
• Valance
• Left/Right Turn Signals

For about $320. I can actually get the OEM for $408 right now as the dealership near me is having a sale on parts. I'd probably do the OEM. It's still the painting is the issue for me.

And the back right bumper piece for $100.

These are all unpainted though.

Well, all chrome parts would be a way to go - as long as you are OK with it not looking like a later Limited anymore.

If you get the 'paintable' parts, you can work with a body shop to get the paint close and avoid blending other panels, etc.

The most expensive option is probably aftermarket bumpers.

Consider used parts too. Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market has a good search system for wrecking yards that you can use.

-Charlie

Thanks for the tip. I appreciate it. I hadn't used that site before.

I'd check with a lot of small local body shops to see if they'd spray them for you (OEM or aftermarket).
Or maybe a deal with they source the parts and paint them for you, you install.