Front End Mask Bra 2004

[BenSD]

I'm tired of getting rock chips on the front end of my runner when I go on longer trips, so I decided to spring for a front end mask as a little bit of protection. I realize that these suckers require a lot of maintenance, but that's fine with me.

When I first decided to get the mask, I had a very hard time finding photos of what it looks like on a 4th gen 4runner. I managed to find one thread on this board, but that was it. As a result, I'm posting some photos of the complete mask so other members will have something to refer to.

It did take a little work to get the mask on, but it does seem very secure. We'll see how it works out in the long run. I am in San Diego, so Rain and moisture aren't really a big issue. It will be removed in those situations though.

I'm pretty happy with how it looks on my white 04 sport. I was a bit concerned that it would look rather tacky and cheesy, but it seems to work well.

 

[joshuabrady]

looks nice
ive wanted to put one on my 4Runner, but havent found one for cheap.

 

[BenSD]

looks nice
ive wanted to put one on my 4Runner, but havent found one for cheap.

I got mine on ebay through a dealer in Florida. I have no clue what they retail for in local toyota shops, but the difference was rather significant when I got my all weather floormats from another toyota dealier on ebay. I guess the markup is pretty high on this stuff. I got mine for $118. I'm sure you could find it a bit lower, but I was happy enough at that price.

 

[loudog2]

Looks nice, but like you said they do require a lot of maintenance. Just remember the sun will fade your paint. So since you are in San Diego watch for it. One part will be fading the other will not. How much did it cos???

 

[BenSD]

Looks nice, but like you said they do require a lot of maintenance. Just remember the sun will fade your paint. So since you are in San Diego watch for it. One part will be fading the other will not. How much did it cos???

That's one of the nice things about having white. I don't think the fading will be anywhere near as obvious as it would be on some of the other colors. I originally didn't want the white 4runner, but now I see many benefits to it...... it's easy to touch up flaws in the paint, it often looks clean, and the black accents really stand out nice.

I got it for 118 off ebay. It was the only one I saw on there, so I'm not sure how that price compares to the going rate. It doesn't seem to be a very high demand item though.

 

[BenSD]

Just got back from a trip to the desert this weekend. I can say that the mask did a very good job. I can see several scrapes/gashes where rocks hit the mask, but didn't damage the paint. If it wasn't for the mask, I'd have a handful more rock chips on my runner.

 

[Hank]

Nice looking bra! How difficult/easy is it to install & remove? (is it worth it to use it for temporary trips?). I might consider getting one to put on my 4R for certain road trips/outtings. Thx n adv

 

[BenSD]

Nice looking bra! How difficult/easy is it to install & remove? (is it worth it to use it for temporary trips?). I might consider getting one to put on my 4R for certain road trips/outtings. Thx n adv

The first time I put it on, it took me a while because I wasn't very familiar with how to install it. Make sure you follow the instructions for the order of attaching the clips. Otherwise, you'll make it more difficult than it really is. Now that I'm familiar with how to attach it, it doesn't take much time at all. Maybe a minute for the top piece, and 3 minutes for the bottom piece. It takes about half that time to remove it.

I washed my runner yesterday after the trip to the desert. I simply removed the mask, vaccumed the felt side of the mask to get the little bit of dust off of it (I expected more), then waxed the front end and put it back on.

My girlfriend made a comment about it yesterday. She said that before I got the mask, my runner looked "friendly." Now with the mask, it looks "mean." I'm not sure how to interpret that one.

 

[jazzy jae]

looks good.

 

[leftyrb]

I used the bottom part of the Toyota nose mask (demi bra?) on my 4Runner last winter and into the spring. I have the Canadian bug deflector that does a good job of minimizing rock chips on the hood area. The lower bra helps with rock chips etc. on the soft bumper material. I cleaned and waxed the bumper before installing it, and no marks are apparent. It appears to be well engineered.

 

[Tleahcim]

Excuse my ignornace but what's the danger, besides the paint fading, in leaving it on full time? I'm assuming that during periods of rain you run the risk of mold growing under it?

Just curious since I'm thinking of getting one after seeing how good it looks on yours.

 

[alpha]

Excuse my ignornace but what's the danger, besides the paint fading, in leaving it on full time? I'm assuming that during periods of rain you run the risk of mold growing under it?

Just curious since I'm thinking of getting one after seeing how good it looks on yours.

when it gets wet, you run the risk of the dye staining the paint, which would usually be permanent.