2009 conversion to 2005

[neowig]

I've had 4th gen(2006) and 5th gen(2012) 4runners. Loved both but love 4th gen more, mainly due to size and handling characteristics. I'm planning to get yet another 4runner and plan to keep it for life. money will be dumped in

2009 models are the newest ones I can get. But I like the looks of the pre-refresh models (2003~2005) more. so i'm thinking about getting 2009 model and convert it to the look of 2005. i have a couple of questions.

1. is the hood different between 2005 and 2009? i like the clean look of 2005 models.
2. is there anything at the frame and/or electrical level that makes the conversition difficult? Or is it just a matter of bumper and headlights swap?

3. any other issues that i might run into?

thanks!

 

[simple]

The hood is the same. You'll have to replace the front and rear bumper, and the consensus is the fender flares as well. Do yourself a favor and keep the headlights. Otherwise you'll have to fabricate some weird adaptor to relocate the turn signals to the bumper.

 

[neowig]

The hood is the same. You'll have to replace the front and rear bumper, and the consensus is the fender flares as well. Do yourself a favor and keep the headlights. Otherwise you'll have to fabricate some weird adaptor to relocate the turn signals to the bumper.

i was gonna ask why 2005 models seem to have two pairs of front fog lamp. is it, in fact, a turn signal light and fog lamp? is that what you mean by keeping the headlights since the headlights for the 2006+ models have a built-in turn signals while 2005 models not?

thanks for the tip, by the way

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

i was gonna ask why 2005 models seem to have two pairs of front fog lamp. is it, in fact, a turn signal light and fog lamp? is that what you mean by keeping the headlights since the headlights for the 2006+ models have a built-in turn signals while 2005 models not?

thanks for the tip, by the way

Yes that is the case ...our turn signals are in the bumper the ambers in our headlights are just marker lamps.

 

[v84RNR]

If you plan to convert, i'd happily buy your grille!

 

[Rishi3]

Convert back? I respect your opinion, but what about the pre refresh looks better?

Sent from my ZTE B2017G using Tapatalk

 

[S4TA]

You could just wire the corner lights on the 03-05 bumper to the DRL of the 06+.

I am with you though. I had an 05 and now I have an 08. I like the front, fender flares, and fog lights of the 05 more than my current 08. I liked the headlights and taillights more on the 06+. The fog lights in the 03-05 are projectors which means you can upgrade them to HID and keep a nice cutoff. The 06+ fog lights with HIDs have bad glare.

 

[momo.75]

if you decide to replace the trim pieces off the doors and fenders let me know. I want to replace my gray textured pieces with painted pieces.