Thank you for the posted information re : hood protector. I picked up a new 2021 ORP the day after Thanksgiving. Historically, I have always put a hood protector on my past 4runners but after searching this site and reading the many available posts I am a little confused. Some people have reported rubbing/chipping away of paint on the top edge of the grill as well as rubbing away of the paint on the underside of the hood with the AVS and Weathertech protectors. Others have reported the chipping of paint with the OEM metal clips. Some have said the AVS Bugflector / 23071 is the way to go i.e. no rubbing or touching of grill etc. and to stay away from the Bugflector II / 25053. I would like to run my Runner through the car wash in the winter. AVS states their protectors are car wash safe. No reference to the OEM protector and car washes. Which AVS model number did you put on your new ORP and have you noticed any touching or rubbing on the top edge of the painted grill? Now that you have experience with bot an OEM and the AVS Model #? which do you prefer? I considered PPF for the front end but decided to to do it because I felt like I was going down a rabbit hole that I couldn't get out of without additional replacement cost if the film was damaged and the cost to remove years down the road. Thank you, Matt

Mine barely touches the upper grill part. I do have a PPF on my front end so that offers a protective layer.
I prefer the AVS over the OEM.

Thank you very much for the feedback. I'm going to go with the AVS. Did you go with 23071 / Bugflector or 25053 / Bugflector II. Thanks again.

Thanks.............

23071 Auto Ventshade From Autozone


$48.99

I took Saker’s lead after seeing and requesting pics from him. Purchased the 25053 model and installed it, 10 minute job, prior to my 128 mile off road trip through the desert. Looks great and seems to work good. I went with the 25053 because it has a higher profile. The 23071 is a low to mid profile. I applied the four small bumpers on to the inside of the shield and not on the paint. Thanks to Saker for his pics.

January 2, 2021

Installed Plug and Play Rear Camera Override Dongle

Thanking @bjohnston115 again for this mod!
Plug and Play Rear Camera Override Dongle - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

My install went off without any issues. Rear camera still works as normal.
Depress the AOB Rear camera switch when in any gear, camera comes on.
AOB Switch dims properly just as the other switches do.


EDIT: On the AOB Switch wiring pictured, I connected the red to red on the ABC wire & the AOB green to orange ABC wire. Polarity correct!

Wiring diagram



Indication of Override Working


AOB Switch Location and Functioning

Truck looks great.

How many total sections of conical spacer were there inside the rear springs and how many did you remove for the airlift?

Thank you.

3 on each side were removed.
That left 1 (as seen in my photo) on the very top. You must leave that one!
I used a recip saw with a wood blade, made it pretty easy.

Alright one more DDM Tuning 55W high beam question (only could find experiences on the 50W) - did you purchase the 'decoders' for DRL? And is it too bright for daily DRL? If so I would probably just disable DRL, but had to check.

Thanks again!

First my DRL are disabled.

So, no decoders.
If I had to guess without decoders, they would be wayyyyyy tooooo bright.
These things are so bright, I am not even considering any light bar(s)!

January 13, 2021

Windows Tinted & Valances Wrapped

Had my windows tinted with Xpel Ceramic to 11% (metered) & my front and rear valances wrapped matte black also with Xpel vinyl.

Looks great.
Did you remove the valances and take to a shop to wrap them? If so, any tips on how to remove? Thx.

Didn't remove them, IDK if the shop removed them or not.

Looks good! Did you tint the front windshield? How about the sunroof? If you did the windshield, what percentage?

Did not tint the windshield.
I did have the moonroof tinted @ 70%.