[BenSD]

This past week, a couple buddies and I headed to Northern AZ for a photo shoot. We didn't do too much offroading, but the 4runner definitely came in handy in a few places.






The second shot is after I cleaned up the runner. It doesn't look too dirty in the first pic, but the front was absolutely plastered with bugs. The front end mask really made cleanup easy.

A few shots from the trip:

[TranceKrayz]

nice shots!

is that front end mask easy to install and remove? does it fit too tight (as in it may rub the paint a bit hard.)? i plan on getting one so i can put it on for trips to prevent rock chips.

[BenSD]

Originally posted by TranceKrayz
nice shots!

is that front end mask easy to install and remove? does it fit too tight (as in it may rub the paint a bit hard.)? i plan on getting one so i can put it on for trips to prevent rock chips.

The first time you put it on, it takes a little while. Not only do you need to learn how to attach it, but you also have to stretch it a bit. After that, it's a breeze to put on. I have it on my truck 90% of the time since I'm tired of touching up rock chips. I have not seen any paint related problems from the mask. If it ever rains, I take it off. I wash my truck once a week, and wax the front end before reapplying the mask. It takes me maybe 1 or 2 minutes to put both pieces on.

I've had my mask for maybe half a year now. I'm thinking about buying a new one because my existing one has stretched a bit more than I would like.

[bulldog-yota]

Beautiful pics man. Looks like you are a pro photographer, knowing how to use light and colors.

[AZRunner]

Nice photo's. Arizona sure is nice this time of year.

[jharris2]

Great shots!!

[ZonaT4R]

Ben,

Great shots!! Is that up north east of Tuba City? (Monument Valley area)?

Ben, I noticed you took your running boards off. Wow I like the way that looks. I am going to take mine off and see how it looks/

[BenSD]

Originally posted by standaman
Ben, I noticed you took your running boards off. Wow I like the way that looks. I am going to take mine off and see how it looks/

I took mine off just for looks. When you're closer to the truck, it looks like it has more ground clearance than it really does. As you stand further back, you see the underside more, and all the parts that hang down. I'm not planning on putting them back on because I like the look with them off, but there are two problems I've come across. First off, those running boards help protect the part under the doors from rock chips. As soon as I took them off, I got some pretty bad rock chips down there. Secondly, the running boards are pretty much flush with the underside of the vehicle. My rig is not lifted, so when I start down a steep hill, ground clearance is a concern. With the running boards on, you can look out the window and see how much clearance you have. Without them, you'll scrape your skidplates without warning.

If I were to do it again, I would still remove them, but I'd probably put some sort of clear protective film on the lower part below the doors to cut down on rock chips.

[BenSD]

Originally posted by ZonaT4R
Ben,

Great shots!! Is that up north east of Tuba City? (Monument Valley area)?

The landscape shots were taken in Monument Valley, but the shot of the truck was taken near Page.