December 2004 4ROTM - Luxury

[Luxury]

Window & Pillar Chrome Trim

Well, there is something else that I considered but have pretty much decided against that I haven't seen anywhere on T4R before. I have always liked the look of the metal accents around the windows of the Porsche Cayenne, so I wanted to explore if this was an accessory I could add to my 4runner.

The first picture is of a Cayenne from THIS cardomain.com member's page.

I researched it a little and couldn't find any pictures of a runner with this type of kit. I found a pic of a highlander, but at the moment I can't find the sight I found it on. There are a few companies that do these and one of them must be willing to try and make one for a 4runner. I have zero Photoshop skills, because I don't have the software, but I did an EXTREMELY rough 2 second job in Paint to see if it would give me an idea what it would look like.

Update: I found the Highlander and HERE is the link and I'll attach the pic to the bottom of this set of pics.

I decided against this because I already have decided on the JDM Chrome Door Handles, JDM Chrome Taillight Trim, Chrome T&H Bull bar, and chroming the silver bumper accents. So, if I haven't already OD'd on chrome, this would probably push me way over the top.

 

[Mark86]

My dad's X5 4.4i has the chrome accents around the door. I don't think it would look good on a 4Runner though. If you want, when I get home later, I will post pictures of it. It looks different than the one on the Cayenne. It looks more like a mirror and it is not as loud. If you were doing it, I think the type of chrome on the X5 would look a lot better on your black 4Runner.

 

[Luxury]

Window & Pillar Chrome Trim

Mark86, thanks for the feedback. Yeah might as well see some pics of that X5. Some of the kits that I have seen had the option of mirrored or matte. I'm fairly certain I'm not going to do this, but I thought I would post it anyway.

 

[Mark86]

No problem. The pictures will be up probably around 12:00 tonight because I get home real late!!

 

[lee]

i think youd need to add the chrome accent to the rear window too.

 

[Mark86]

Sorry Luxury but I fell asleep when I came home. I will post the pictures tonight.

 

[Luxury]

Window & Pillar Chrome Trim

i think youd need to add the chrome accent to the rear window too.

I "tried" that in Paint and it looked worse to me.

Sorry Luxury but I fell asleep when I came home. I will post the pictures tonight.

No worries man. I have pretty much ruled out this idea, so take your time. I understand about the falling asleep thing. I was planning on doing a couple things to the runner last night, but I hurt my back playing racquetball yesterday and all I did when I got home was lay flat on the ground.

 

[Luxury]

Custom Mesh Emblem

Here is my latest mod. I went to Home Depot to get the supplies to try-out the Rain Gutter Mesh Grill Insert (which after holding it up there I think I have decided against), when I found this fine mesh that I thought I could use someplace. I also tried cutting some to fit around the shifter, but it didn't quite go with my Limited's interior and was being a PITA.

It was incredibly simple. All you have to do is pop of the Toyota symbol from behind the grill. Hold some mesh over the logo and trace where you want to cut and your pretty much done. The material is thin enough that all you do is place it behind the symbol when reattaching it.

 

[TranceKrayz]

looks nice luxury. way to be creative!

two things though,

1) i think you should do the whole grill.

2) i wonder how a black emblem would look with that mesh. it may add more contrast since you took away the contrast with a chrome mesh.

 

[Luxury]

Mesh Emblem & Lower Grill Test

looks nice luxury. way to be creative!

two things though,

1) i think you should do the whole grill.

2) i wonder how a black emblem would look with that mesh. it may add more contrast since you took away the contrast with a chrome mesh.

1) I held it up there and wasn't convinced that it would look good. Plus, I didn't want to cut back on the air to the radiator. The loss across a screen can be pretty high when you get to high velocities. In addition, I think it will get dirty pretty quick with that fine off a mesh. Who knows, maybe I'll put it on there for a while for fun. While I'm replying to your post I might as well attach another pic of what I decided against. I simply bungeed this course mesh over to lower grill to see what it would look like, but I didn't like it.

2) I had the same thought. I'm pretty happy with it without the contrast, but thought the black might look even more unique. The contrast is relative, if I went to the black then I would loose the contrast between the paint and the emblem.

 

[Luxury]

T&H Packaging

My T&H Chrome Low Bull Bar got here on Monday. That night was spent on the daunting task of undoing all the packaging. Noloc has already posted some great pictures of the packaging up HERE. Because of his bad experience with shipping via DHL I had AutoAnything ($388.95 shipped) select an alternate carrier. They chose UPS and once it was finally in UPS's hands they delivered on their promised day. Despite all the wonderful packaging a bracket still broke all the way through, shown in the first pic below. The second pic shows how the entire bracket bundle broke through the cardboard. Some of the black coating on the bracket was worn off, but it didn't appear to have any other damage.

 

[Luxury]

T&H Mounting

TranceKrayz posted some create pics of the mointing points for the brackets HERE. Thanks Trance, they helped a lot. I'll try to supplement those with a couple others that I think might be helpful:

 

[Luxury]

Wet T&H Pics

So, it is a little wet out, but I wanted to post some pics anyway to show of my hard work last night. I am totally pleased with the result. Those light brackets are now begging for some lights. A bonus is that they would probably cover the license plate mounting points. However, I'll probably chrome the silver painted "skidplate" before I get the lights.

Here are some pics that helped me:

• Black (TranceKrayz): T&H Chrome Bull & Rear Bar
• Black (autoseattle.com):T&H Chrome High & Low Bull Bar & Rear Bar
• Black (anythingtruck.com): T&H Chrome Full and High Bull w/ lights
• Black (posted by momo.75): T&H Full Front Guard w/ skidplate in Black & Chrome, and Black Rear Bar
• Black (ssmumich00): WAAG Black Full & Rear
• Black (AlexJet): Manik Black/Chrome Full Grille Guard & Manik Chrome Tail Lights Guards
  
• Galactic (Noloc): T&H Chrome Bull
• Galactic (T4RUSAF): T&H Black Bull
• Galactic (mp95bravo): MANIC Black Full
• Galactic (bartch): JAOS Chrome Bull & Skidplate
• Galactic (posted by ziffer): JAOS full guards
  
• Titanium (vcoglian): T&H Chrome Bull & Rear Bar & in this thread & from his sig
• Titanium (Stinger_Audio): MANIC Black Full
• Titanium (loyd): WESTIN Titanium Safari Light Bar
• Titanium (the_josh): WESTIN Titanium Safari Light Bar
• Titanium (HiluxSURF from www.215soc.com): Unique guard also on a blue Dominican Republic 4runner
  
• White (91bulldog): T&H Chrome Bull & Rhino Hitch Bar
• White (everythingsuv.com): WAAG Black Full
• White (posted by ziffer): JAOS full guards (also linked above for Galactic Jaos full guard)
• White (BenSD): JAOS bull bar (center protector) w/ black JAOS lights.
  
• Golden? (AKA.HULK): JAOS bull w/ Lights

Related:
- T&H website list of sites that sell T&H
- JAOS US website
- Black vs. Chrome
- Guard Affecting Airbag Sensor?
- Sport Bumper Trim (also linked above for vcoglian's ride)
- Sport Bumper Trim Evolved to T&H Talk

 

[slowginjoe]

are you leaving your front license plate off? do they care about that down there? i got a ticket in my old 94 runner in S.F. while parked on a street for no front plate. i think the meter maid was upset cuz i fed the parking meter but they had no way to prove it so had to get me some other way!

 

[Luxury]

Front License Plate

Noloc, Trance, and I discussed this briefly on PAGE 3 of Noloc's thread (assuming you use the forums default per page of 15). To summarize, they are keeping it on there and I'm risking it. We also discussed the bull-bar lights a little on that same page.

From Noloc's thread:

......Noloc & Trance: You keepin that license plate on there? I understand the cop thing, but man it would look a lot better without. I'm going to risk it. I had my Mustang for nearly 10 years without a front plate and didn't have a problem. I knew people in Santa Barbara that had some problems when they were parked on certain streets, so I had it in my trunk and would attach it occassionally. Even putting it in the front window when parked would show some initiative and may prevent a ticket. I guess it is still a risk and is similar to why people don't tint their side windows.

 

[slowginjoe]

Re: Front License Plate

Noloc, Trance, and I discussed this briefly on PAGE 3 of Noloc's thread. To summarize, they are keeping it on there and I'm risking it. We also discussed the bull-bar lights a little on that page.

From Noloc's thread:

i see. and afterall the ticket is only $35 or something like that.

 

[Cleric]

Luxury-

Lookin Good!

If you can find a good deal on the chrome grille, a black T logo with that mesh would look awesome. What is that mesh called? Is it just a fine gutter mesh or something else?

 

[Luxury]

Mesh Emblem

Luxury-

Lookin Good!

If you can find a good deal on the chrome grille, a black T logo with that mesh would look awesome. What is that mesh called? Is it just a fine gutter mesh or something else?

I forgot to check last night what exactly it was called. I was going to take a pic and post it for you in my typical excessively detailed style (and I'll probably add it to this post later).

Tell you what, PM me with your address and I'll send you a piece already cut out and everything, if you want. It doesn't take much time. I won't be able to do this for every T4R member that likes it but since you were the first to inquire about it, I'll hook you up. Trance, you didn't say you were going to do it, but if you want one, you definitely deserve it because your T&H picks and comments inspired me to get mine.

Note that I didn't find stainless at Home Depot, only galvanized.

Update: I went home at lunch and snapped a photo. It is Home Depot Part # 736223142691. They also have a size smaller than 6" but I got this in case I was going to use it for another purpose like behind the grill. Careful with this stuff, it can be sharp like a saw.

 

[Noloc]

Lux... how about me? I think I aided in the pursuasion too.


By the way... the bar looks great !!!! Excellent choice !!

Did you reattach those rubber flaps?

 

[Luxury]

Mesh Emblem Giveaway

Lux... how about me? I think I aided in the pursuasion too.

Of course you did. You've been a big help, not to my wallet, but for my decisions. I have especially appreciated your comments because we seem to have similar tastes and are on a similar mod track. I didn't offer you one in my last post because you hadn't commented on them, and I didn't want to assume you liked it or would like to try it. So PM me with your addy and I send it as soon as I cut it out.