Damage to new 4Runner

swiss_seth

New member
I bought my 15' 4Runner back in September and since I drive about 500 miles a week I already have 16,000 miles on it. It has been perfect and surprisingly good on gas.

Before this vehicle I had a 2011 Honda Pilot EX-L. It averaged 18 MPG while this 4Runner is at 19.5, which shocked me. Much more capable and solid vehicle as the Pilot is essentially a marketing gimmick "4WD" and not 4X4. Nice vehicle but not for me and when I got rid of it and went back to get a refund on the balance of my Pilot warranty I was asked why I got a Toyota. I explained I didnt like Honda's lack of off-road capability and the fact that it seemed everyone I saw driving them was a soccer mom, lol. The last straw was when my Pilot go saddle bagged on snow and tires just spun. I know this was my stupidity but the lack of HI-LO etc. didnt help.

As this is the first Toyota I've ever owned I must say I can tell it is a solid build unlike American domestics. The only thing I can compare the solid feel and build quality to is my N54 BMW 335 XI. If you're a gear head and mechanically inclined you understand what I mean.

Only things I've changed at HID in the projectors (spoiled from bimmer!), tint and window vents. Other than that how can you add to perfection..!

Anyway to my question.

Can you guys recommend how to get this dent out of the aluminum running boards? I was thinking the ball part of a ball peen hammer once the metal is at about 76 degrees in a garage. Placing the ball of the hammer on the metal and with another hammer light tapping out the dent. (from behind the running board since the back is exposed)

So what are some pro tips as I am an amateur when it comes to this stuff.





 
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There should be some bolts that hold them in place. After you remove the bolts the steps should be able to drop down. Thrown them in a box and keep them there... There should be no more dents on your 4Runner!


I kid... Honestly doesn't look bad. Hammer it out like you said or leave it alone... I still vote for removal!
 
There should be some bolts that hold them in place. After you remove the bolts the steps should be able to drop down. Thrown them in a box and keep them there... There should be no more dents on your 4Runner!


I kid... Honestly doesn't look bad. Hammer it out like you said or leave it alone... I still vote for removal!

I second that. I only added n-fabs for my pregnant wife. Thinking about removing them now.
 
If the hammer doesn't work, buy a new set, as you can see from comments those steps are despised around here. Which means people cant wait to sell them to you for cheap!

Personally I'd see this as a reason to get shrockworks step sliders, they won't dent so easily, trust me!
 
70002471-Seamer-set_large.png
 
And making my jeans dirty with snow and crap
I may just trash them or get the other design you guys mentioned
Thanks!
For the record, there are lots of "designs": http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/195991-consolidated-slider-info-thread.html

But if you ever plan on going off-road in areas with any rocks around, even if you don't plan on doing any real "rock crawling", the OEM boards will get beat up bad. I still have mine, but they are really banged up. A set of structural rock sliders will be my next mod.

Also, read this: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ner-owner-need-help-searching-start-here.html
 
If I drag these on rocks and then come up is there any risk that it will screw up the bolts and then scrub putting running boards on in the future?
 

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