1st Pic = Lowriders + 58" crossbars + 1 Buttondown 6

Update: I've been driving with this setup and I can hear the wind noise above 40mph. Above 50 it is pretty noticeable. I am definitely not going to get the Fairing because, as the REI salesmen pointed out it would force the air directly up and into my surf/snowboards. It does however work great for bikes apparently and probably for people that put them on just for looks like loyd. As far as the Windjammers, I don't think I have enough bar exposed for those to help much, but I could be wrong.

2nd Pic = Lowriders + 58" crossbars + 1 Buttondown 6 + 2 snowboards + 1 pair skis + side shot =

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This first pic was pretty much just for fun. I wanted to see what a setup would look like that could carry 18 pairs of skis. No, it would do a crappy job with that many. I also tried this out because if I am on a snow trip with 4-5 people in the car I will probably use two Buttondown 6s and I wanted to make sure they would fit. They do, with about 5 inches to spare. Although, even when they mate each other in the middle, they are still wider than the 4runner.

The second pic shows how bad it looks with the two snowboard racks all the way to the edge. Even when you move them as close together as possible, you still get this Mickey Mouse looking 4runner. I don't recommend it based on looks. Functionally, it fit fine.

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This is the Radar Detector that I am thinking about getting from Costco for $85. It is a Sensoro Silver Bullet. I don't know squat about radar detectors, but this one is really nice and small and I love buying from Costco. Does anybody know if this is a good one to get?

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Don't get that one. I had one from Costco and it was a piece of garbage. It looks cool but it never picked up the correct signals and the screen went after two weeks. I have another Sensoro from Costco that works a lot better. I am not sure if they still make it though.

I won't, thanks to you. I read some reviews that were pretty mixed. Some said what you said and some said the opposite. But I trust your opinion and will take it as a straight up veto. If anyone has any recommendations, I'm all ears.

The great thing about Costco is that I'm sure you had zero problem taking it back. Gotta love that.

You are 100% right. That was the only good thing about the whole thing.

That is a nice thing about Costco.

As far as radar detectors go.. I've only heard great things about both the Valentine One and the Escort Passport 8500. I haven't had experience with either though, so I can't vouch for them or be held accountable if they don't work as stated.

I recieved a sample from the ebay vendor fivestarperformance of this brushed aluminum kit from Luxwood Auto Trim Inc. There is a very thick coat of plastic over what I am guessing is a synthetic material and not actual aluminum. It is very reflective. This scan of it is purposely big so you can see the texture. I was not impressed by the first one.

I also received some samples from Jason Burtman of the Sherwood dash kits materials. They are real materials and I was much more impressed by these. I wish the carbon fiber didn't have so much coating over it, but it still looks really good. The colors are real silver on silver carbon fiber, real black & grey carbon fiber, and real brushed aluminum. This brushed aluminum is about half the thickness of the rest of the samples. At the moment I am leaning towards the black & grey carbon fiber but am worried about it clashing with the granite that my 4runner came with and I want to keep.

Update: I received samples from Wood Dash Experts in NJ (800)505-3274 and the samples of black & grey carbon fiber and fake & real brushed aluminum looked just like (although different shape) the samples from the other two vendors. I also recieved samples from New York City Dashes LLC. 22-F Cragwood Rd. Avenel NJ 07001 (866) 692-8746 and the line card that came with it was identical tothe one from Wood Dash Experts. The Real Brushed aluminum also looked identical. The chrome sample that I recieved looked the same as the RBA with no plastic covering, but had a completely mirrored surface.

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The first pic indicates the silver pieces I am thinking about putting the kit on. Actually the particular kit I am looking at doesn't include the shift area, but I am going to try and subsitute that for a couple other pieces or something. I wish I was good at photochopin so that I could get and idea how these would look. I just can't decide. I am also on the fence if I want to spend the money on it. What does everyone think?

Here is the best thread on the forum I could find on Dash Trim Kits: Click Here

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Lux... my opinion... stay away from the carbon fiber looking ones... I don't think it would look right with your leather interior.

My 2 cents...

Thanks for you input, I really appreciate it. I thought about this over a long driving filled weekend and came to the same conclusion. I think it would fit right in with a sports interior though.

I am still iffy how any of these will look. I like the real brushed aluminum quite a bit, but not enough to justify the price. So, for now, I'm going to put this one on hold. Maybe someone else will purchase a full kit and I can buy some of the pieces individually. That was what I planned on doing, but with my uncertainty, I think I'll hold off.

Out of curiousity, I ordered samples from several other dash companies. Right now I am contemplating ways to create my own custom dash kit.

Lux... there's a local shop around my area that has been known to remove factory panels/parts/dashes and actually paint them to match what ever scheme you want. Have you thought of that option?

I've seen it done on other cars and it looks pretty hot.

I'll have to chew on that one a while and see if I can come up with something. I am actually pretty happy with my interior's scheme. I just thought it would be nice if they had added some real metal in there instead of the metallic silver paint. That is what started all this. I have seen some different adhesive sheet metal that I am currently contemplating. But, that adhesive would be pretty permanent so I think I will explore options using 3Ms light automotive tape. It is all in the conceptual design phase right now. Thanks again for help. I love feedback, it helps spawn new ideas, and motivates me to develop my ideas further.

Lux.. where you ever able to get the extra coin holders? I saw them on your "To Do List". If you did get them, can you provide me with where you got them from?

I emailed Steve Ganz of Carson Toyota about them, but haven't gotten a response yet. I'll definitely post if he is able to get them. Normally they are really good at getting back to me, so I think I will either shoot him a reminder email, submit an online inquiry, or give them a call. They have got to be pretty cheap. If they are and he has to order them, then I'll get a few extra for you or others to have easy access to them.