December 2004 4ROTM - Luxury

[Luxury]

Your not gonna start scanning your gas receipts and posting them too? JK

No, you'll have to go to my "gas mileage log" thread for that. j/k

Yeah, I thought some of this might seem a little excessive, but probably useful to someone. For example, having a pic of the paint I used makes it easier for someone to find the same stuff and it has more details than I probably would manually typed in. As far as these last scans, they also have info on cleaning and the such.

I realize things like this are probably pretty boring in general....but hopefully it helps a couple people. I have been updating my first post of this thread to include links to relevant threads and keeping a running cost total. If for nothing else, I like having it for my personal reference.

 

[TranceKrayz]

i got the llumar 35% on my front windows...matches fine with the rear IMO.

 

[Cleric]

Thanks for the info. That film is made by Madico. I think they make some of the best films. An FYI for for silver/grey owners, look at the Madico "Cool Chrome" film. Unlike most "mirror" tints that use building films (illegal on cars in most states) theirs is completely legal and looks incredible in person. This is an old pic of my BMW after I had the tint done. It is only 35% (legal in my state) and very hard to see through. I'm sure it's also available in other percentages, as well.

 

[Luxury]

Metalic Window Tint

Thanks for the info. That film is made by Madico. I think they make some of the best films. An FYI for for silver/grey owners, look at the Madico "Cool Chrome" film. Unlike most "mirror" tints that use building films (illegal on cars in most states) theirs is completely legal and looks incredible in person. This is an old pic of my BMW after I had the tint done. It is only 35% (legal in my state) and very hard to see through. I'm sure it's also available in other percentages, as well.

I forgot to mention one thing that the tint shop told me. Do not put any tint that has a metallic component over the radio-diversity antennas in our rear-side windows. They said they have even seen it affect GPS antennas.

 

[Luxury]

Roof Racks

I will post pics of the rest of my Yakima system once it is mounted up. This is what it consists of:

• 58-inch crossbars
• Lowriders, just bought for $103 after tax & REI member discount.
• 2 Sets of Large Button Down 6 Ski/Snowboard Racks
• 2 Sets of Strap Thangs that can mount 4+ surfboards
• Crossbar pads for the surfboards

Threads I found useful:
loyd's bars, leftyrb's bar & snow, Maverick's Bikes, mtnrunner's snow, Basket & Cross bar Discussion, 4route's Megawarrior, maninblack's crossbars & bikes

These 3 pics are with the Yakima Buttondown 6 Ski/Snowboard rack that I "borrowed" from my parent's '98 Explorer which uses the save 10V clip to attach to our factory racks. I also have two other of these Buttondown 6s but they will only attach to my round Yakima bar that attaches to our factory side rails via the Lowrider attachment I just bought. I haven't mounted it yet because I don't have this stupid little key that will take the locks out of my old risers to put them in my new Lowriders. I don't want someone to be able to steal them. With that said, I'll probably still mount it up tonight because I am anxious to see how it looks.

Keep in mind that I didn't bother washing my runner before the pics. They are mainly just to illustrate how it looks with the racks in this setup. I am amazed that after 2 weeks with no wash and a 300 mile roadtrip it doesn't look worse.

 

[Luxury]

Roof Racks

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 =

 

[Luxury]

Yakima Overload

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.

 

[Luxury]

Radar Detector

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?

 

[Mark86]

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?

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.

 

[Luxury]

Radar Detector

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.

 

[Mark86]

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.

 

[alpha]

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.

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.

 

[Luxury]

Dash Trim Kit Samples

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.

 

[Luxury]

Dash Trim Kit

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

 

[Noloc]

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...

 

[Luxury]

Dash Trim Kit

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.

 

[Noloc]

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.

 

[Luxury]

Custom Dash Trim Kit Idea

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.

 

[Noloc]

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?

 

[Luxury]

Dash Blank Coin Holders

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.