Installation of Front and Rear Valances (Costs)

rpontbriand

rpontbriand

New member
I am thinking of having my local dealership install the front and rear valances (black) on my TEP that I got cheap online. I have seen numerous threads with members installing their own and was curious how long it took? If you have had these installed by your dealership, how much was the installation? My gut tells me, for someone very familiar with the vehicle, it should not take more than 2 hours.

Appreciate the feedback and thoughts.
 
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Two hours is about right. I did it myself and purposely didn't rush. The dealer wanted about $600 to do it. Silliness.
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Good info. The services department said they charged $125 per hour for this type of work. 2 hours should be more than plenty of time to complete the task. I would do the work myself but really don't trust must automotive handy work to drop the bumpers. I installed my 'Toyota' badge in the front of my vehicle myself, but that was super easy.

If the cost come back too high, I will probably try my local body shop instead. Worst case scenario, I will do the work myself.

Thanks for the info.

BTW ... great looking setup.
 
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rpontbriand said:
I am thinking of having my local dealership install the front and rear valances (black) on my TEP that I got cheap online. I have seen numerous threads with members installing their own and was curious how long it took? If you have had these installed by your dealership, how much was the installation? My gut tells me, for someone very familiar with the vehicle, it should not take more than 2 hours.

Appreciate the feedback and thoughts.
Click to expand...

Sorry to thread jack but how much is "cheap" and where did you get them?
 
"Cheap" is a relative term when it comes to buying black plastic which serves little purpose other than to make a truck look cooler. :)

That said, I got mine at via toyotaonlineparts.com ... and cheap related to other sites.
 
Are you going to the "service dept", or the "body shop"? I'd use the latter.

Can't say for certain, but I thought someone posted a 'how to' on this. Have you used the "alternate search" in the Stickies section?

Thinking I read the front is not so hard, and the rear is difficult.
 
@ Philsey is correct the front is not hard at all as you can get to all the clips. I would consider doing this yourself as there really is nothing to it. The rear I found after fighting with the clips (some of which are very hard to get to) I gave up and took off the rear bumper which is not a hard task but maybe not ideal if you are not wanting to get that involved. Once the bumper is off its cake (easier then the front even)
 
If you read some of the how to's from people who dipped or wrapped their bumper pieces, there's instructions on how to remove them. I could do the front in 10 minutes with no tools, now that I know where all the little clips are. It helps having long arms though.

The back is a lot tougher, if you don't take the whole bumper off.
 
What I am hearing, for the front bumper, you dont have to drop it? I have searched and looked at the installation of valance posts but not removal for dipping.

I will do more searches on the front valance and find out how to remove it without dismantling the front bumper ... if possible. If that is the case, the best solution would be for me to do the front and my body shop to the back.

Much appreciated guys. By far, the best forum I have been a part of with folks who actually WANT to be helpful. :)
 
I took both. Bumper covers off to get to the clips. Getting them off by contorting wasn't working. You can do it. Just take your time and keep. track of all the pieces. I think there were 5 different kind of attachments. I actually enjoyed it.
 
rpontbriand said:
What I am hearing, for the front bumper, you dont have to drop it? I have searched and looked at the installation of valance posts but not removal for dipping.

Much appreciated guys. By far, the best forum I have been a part of with folks who actually WANT to be helpful. :)
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Correct, it can be done without dropping the front bumper. For stuff like this, I always recommend trying it yourself first. At the most, this only involves simple hand tools and time. You'll have to crawl under to get to the bottom row, but that's as dirty as you really have to get. I'll see if I can find the threads I used when dipped my front. (I just dipped the rear with it still on the truck).

edit: here is what I used. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/154503-2014-trail-silver-bumper-accent-removed.html
 
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Well, per below I was able to change the front valance WITHOUT removing the front bumper.

My high-level steps:

1. Break down the top portion of the grill to get easier access to the top and middle clips.

2. At the bottom of the bumper, remove the 6 screws holding that portion together so you can get access to the bottom clips.

3. Look at the inserts on your new valance so you can count the number of clips you need to remove and placement.

4. Technique, technique, technique and go slow. Some of the clips come out super easy while others need you to use a flat head screw driver to press down on the lip of the clip so it slides through.

Thanks to those who game me the kick in the pants to do it myself!

Now off to the back valance over the weekend! :)
 

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rpontbriand said:
Well, per below I was able to change the front valance WITHOUT removing the front bumper.

My high-level steps:

1. Break down the top portion of the grill to get easier access to the top and middle clips.

2. At the bottom of the bumper, remove the 6 screws holding that portion together so you can get access to the bottom clips.

3. Look at the inserts on your new valance so you can count the number of clips you need to remove and placement.

4. Technique, technique, technique and go slow. Some of the clips come out super easy while others need you to use a flat head screw driver to press down on the lip of the clip so it slides through.

Thanks to those who game me the kick in the pants to do it myself!

Now off to the back valance over the weekend! :)
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That's what I want to do. I can justify the price for the TRD black valance but don't know if I can cough up $700 just for that TOYOTA grill.
 
Seattle206 said:
That's what I want to do. I can justify the price for the TRD black valance but don't know if I can cough up $700 just for that TOYOTA grill.
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Its a lot of money for "cool" factor via plastic, but doing the work myself has been fun. Won't be touching the lift kit I will be getting later though! :)
 
Still debating on what I will do on the rear valance. Toyota charges $125 per hour for labor (they estimate 2 hours for install of rear - LOL!) while my body shop is $50/hr.

If I go 3rd party the body shop it is.
 
rpontbriand said:
Still debating on what I will do on the rear valance. Toyota charges $125 per hour for labor (they estimate 2 hours for install of rear - LOL!) while my body shop is $50/hr.

If I go 3rd party the body shop it is.
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Give her a try yourself, it isn't a bad job. My only recommendation is to get a large blanket/quilt so you can set the bumper on once removed and avoid any scratches. You do have to pull a little bit to get it to come off from below the rear taillights IIRC
 
Engineer said:
Give her a try yourself, it isn't a bad job. My only recommendation is to get a large blanket/quilt so you can set the bumper on once removed and avoid any scratches. You do have to pull a little bit to get it to come off from below the rear taillights IIRC
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I still may. Look to be a bunch of bolts and pop out clips. No way I can see to reach the upper clips, especially with a trail hitch. It does not look like I will have to contend with any wires either on the rear.
 
I've done the front and it was easy. Hardest part was removing the bumper so I could dremel the needed slots (SR5). Since you have a TE, all you gota do is reach the clips and then switch out the garnish pieces.
As for install pricing, I think $125-$140/hr is standard hourly for Toyota tech install (varies by dealer/state). I'm installing the rear bumper garnish/valance this weekend and paying my dealer to switch out the rear hatch handle panel next week for the TE/TRDP one (black).

Here's my thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/189457-installing-trd-pro-bumper-trim-pieces-sr5.html
 
rpontbriand said:
I still may. Look to be a bunch of bolts and pop out clips. No way I can see to reach the upper clips, especially with a trail hitch. It does not look like I will have to contend with any wires either on the rear.
Click to expand...

Yup. I couldn't see a way to do the rear without removing the whole cover. Looks scary, but there are no wires, just a bunch of fasteners.
 
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