Body cladding swap/update?

[djsixbillion]

Anyone here know if the fender flares/side cladding/bumpers can be swapped from a late-model 4th-gen to an earlier model? Basically, are the attachment points the same, or are there sheet metal differences between the 03-05 and 06-09 trucks.

I would like to swap from this:



To this:



Not my photos, but my truck is a 2003 V8 Sport with the grey cladding like the first photo. It's fading and warped, and I prefer the more rounded fender flares of the later model trucks.

 

[Porqupine82]

Anyone here know if the fender flares/side cladding/bumpers can be swapped from a late-model 4th-gen to an earlier model? Basically, are the attachment points the same, or are there sheet metal differences between the 03-05 and 06-09 trucks.

I would like to swap from this:

View attachment 208779

To this:

View attachment 208780

Not my photos, but my truck is a 2003 V8 Sport with the grey cladding like the first photo. It's fading and warped, and I prefer the more rounded fender flares of the later model trucks.

If all you're wanting is to color match them, why not just swap them from the 04 or 05 model, those will bolt up and are color matched... the later fenders won't match up to the bumper, if you notice the bumpers are larger on the later models than the 05, so you'd have to replace the bumpers to look right. Plus the pre 06 model lines look better anyway.

 

[Ashtong]

i had an 03 sport as well in black with the grey cladding. i had plastidipped it black for about 2 years for an all black look but took it off because i ended up loving the plastic cladding look because i knew it was only the 2003 runners that had them except the limited.

 

[djsixbillion]

I didn't mind the look of the grey cladding when it was new, but it looks pretty shabby at this point. I also prefer the lines of the later models, to each their own!

So, anybody know if it is possible? I realize it would involve doing the whole shebang - bumpers/fenders/side cladding.

 

[gtb129]

OP, you better price all of those cladding pieces, bumpers, clips, and double sided tape before you commit to this project haha. When I checked it was a small fortune for just the cladding pieces.

Might be better off having it painted by a shop, with a warranty.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Front and rear bumpers
Side cladding/fenders
Grill
Headlights
Fog Lights

All paint matched...
I havent seen anybody do it, but it sounds pricey

 

[djsixbillion]

Not super pricey - going rate around here seems to be $800 - $1000 for the whole set of fenders/bumpers/cladding, plus the cost of clips and such. Still cheaper than a nice steel bumper!

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Yeah, the 06-09's won't line up, but like Porqupine said, 04-05 should work

 

[momo.75]

I had thought about the same thing a while back but the cost was a little too much at the time. The best switch would be with 03-05 pieces so you don't have to mess with the front bumper. Now that I have black front and rear bumpers the gray just doesn't seem to match so well.



I am looking into a few different options.

I am looking into finding panels off salvaged 4runners and just having them color matched. That would be cheaper than going with brand new pieces.

Another option would be to have my current panels color matched but since they are textured I am not sure how that would look. If they are going to be color matched I would rather them be smooth like the rest of the body.

The last option would be to have them LineX'ed black. That way they still have the textured look, just black.

Ideally the first option would be my favorite but just not sure yet.

 

[kcdehart]

I had thought about the same thing a while back but the cost was a little too much at the time. The best switch would be with 03-05 pieces so you don't have to mess with the front bumper. Now that I have black front and rear bumpers the gray just doesn't seem to match so well.



I am looking into a few different options.

I am looking into finding panels off salvaged 4runners and just having them color matched. That would be cheaper than going with brand new pieces.

Another option would be to have my current panels color matched but since they are textured I am not sure how that would look. If they are going to be color matched I would rather them be smooth like the rest of the body.

The last option would be to have them LineX'ed black. That way they still have the textured look, just black.

Ideally the first option would be my favorite but just not sure yet.

You could honestly just try dipping them to see how it looks, then do something more permanent if you like it.