Full or Partial TE Bodywork Conversion

[Jayhawk5G]

Oops, thanks! Fixed....sorry about the crappy cell pic.

View attachment 95500

You even got the TE roof racks, that's dedication... what prompted such a detailed conversion? Just wanted the look?

I love the TE but it would probably take an accident to make me start down that path, otherwise I would probably just trade for a TE Premium.

 

[KCcarguy]

You even got the TE roof racks, that's dedication... what prompted such a detailed conversion? Just wanted the look?

I love the TE but it would probably take an accident to make me start down that path, otherwise I would probably just trade for a TE Premium.

Yep...got the roof rack quite a while ago from another member. It's a long story, but I did have an accident and the wife said "no" to a new truck. But hey, I got a one-of-a-kind 4runner out of it!

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Yep...got the roof rack quite a while ago from another member. It's a long story, but I did have an accident and the wife said "no" to a new truck. But hey, I got a one-of-a-kind 4runner out of it!

Yeah as much as an accident would suck, doing a TE conversion would def. take away some of the pain!

 

[BltByKrmn]

Has anyone had luck with using PlastiDip or LineX instead of going through the full conversion? While I love the look of the Trail, it seems like a lot of work/money for what equates to black trim (yes I realize there's better angles with the Trail bumpers) especially if you plan on buying rock sliders or a new front bumper.

 

[KCcarguy]

Has anyone had luck with using PlastiDip or LineX instead of going through the full conversion? While I love the look of the Trail, it seems like a lot of work/money for what equates to black trim (yes I realize there's better angles with the Trail bumpers) especially if you plan on buying rock sliders or a new front bumper.

A few people have played with this. It won't get quite the same look because it's the cleaner lines of the TE that give it a better look more than just the black trim, IMO.

 

[1engineer]

Has anyone had luck with using PlastiDip or LineX instead of going through the full conversion? While I love the look of the Trail, it seems like a lot of work/money for what equates to black trim (yes I realize there's better angles with the Trail bumpers) especially if you plan on buying rock sliders or a new front bumper.

Rocker panel differences between the models is the big difference followed by the front and rear bumper covers. If you put the TE rocker panels on then you have to change fender flares to match the curve.
You can paint the SR5/LE flares though to get, well, different flares. Front and rear cover has more differences than just improved angles. Also different headlight and tail lights, roof rack and the list goes on. That's why I just traded, that and I had almost 70K on the SR5 already.

 

[c2one]

I am going bananas! I just got my runner a week ago. I thought I would be content with a lift/wheels/tires, AFE CAI and some plasti-dip. Thanks to everyone's build threads and amazing pictures, I now (need) a Gobi stealth rack/ladder, new grill, some LED light bars(x10), new exhaust, sliders and now I am adding TE conversion to my growing list. :yield:

I am setting this weekend aside to watch bank heist movies.

 

[1000MPH]

There's also a Canadian SR5 in BP that will get you a similar look...sorta.

 

[kinnakeettom]

Why

Enlighten me as to the reasons for not buying a TE to start with, even if you have to wait for one.

Dealer found one in Nc and it was an easy trade as I had a 08 v-8 which I sold outright. My money is better spent trout fishing in NZ, and diving the pacific.
Maybe its just the thought of buying a vehicle and not spending a ton of money on a new vehicle. I did trade out the dunlop maypops and put Michelins on it.
Nothing else is planned other than a gobi rack and ladder for the roof.

when I'm home in the states on Hatteras Island the stock height is plenty for the few miles of beach we have left to drive on, and just got back from Padre Island no problems there either. Just curious I guess....

 

[DannyLlama]

Enlighten me as to the reasons for not buying a TE to start with, even if you have to wait for one.

Dealer found one in Nc and it was an easy trade as I had a 08 v-8 which I sold outright. My money is better spent trout fishing in NZ, and diving the pacific.
Maybe its just the thought of buying a vehicle and not spending a ton of money on a new vehicle. I did trade out the dunlop maypops and put Michelins on it.
Nothing else is planned other than a gobi rack and ladder for the roof.

when I'm home in the states on Hatteras Island the stock height is plenty for the few miles of beach we have left to drive on, and just got back from Padre Island no problems there either. Just curious I guess....

For me, it was mostly function.. Though the looks came out to be way better than expected and more aggressive than before.

Function - Rocker panels and rear bumper both sit higher, so you gain more clearance. I'm not sure about the front but I believe it does as well.
If you don't want to have the "metal" look of aftermarket bumpers, the conversion will give you extra clearance without sacrificing the OEM clean look.

This helps on the trail and helps to open up more options for Sliders since almost every off road shop does not build sliders to fit the extra low, and useless i might add, rocker panels.

Why not just buy a TE - because before the '14 model - you couldn't get the leather + smart key and other convenient extras in the TE.
The TE also doesn't come in full time AWD, which doesn't mater to me but to some it might.

Hope that clears things up for you.

 

[kinnakeettom]

My TE has leather but not the smart key cause I did not want it...guess its just a matter of what you want on a truck, and what you don't need. Would trade of a 14 in a heartbeat if they would bring back the v-8 option. Komell Tata

 

[1000MPH]

Enlighten me as to the reasons for not buying a TE to start with, even if you have to wait for one.

Dealer found one in Nc and it was an easy trade as I had a 08 v-8 which I sold outright. My money is better spent trout fishing in NZ, and diving the pacific.
Maybe its just the thought of buying a vehicle and not spending a ton of money on a new vehicle. I did trade out the dunlop maypops and put Michelins on it.
Nothing else is planned other than a gobi rack and ladder for the roof.

when I'm home in the states on Hatteras Island the stock height is plenty for the few miles of beach we have left to drive on, and just got back from Padre Island no problems there either. Just curious I guess....

Why ask why? Some would question why the hell you would sell an '08 V8.

 

[kinnakeettom]

205K and because I wanted one over a Land Cruiser which will probably be next.

 

[kenski]

Enlighten me as to the reasons for not buying a TE to start with, even if you have to wait for one.

Not sure if you are stating this with the intent of comparing against an SR5. But for me I went with the LE as opposed to the other trims because:

• Full time AWD
• Smart Key
• Optitron Dash

All available only on the LE at the time. Not much to say re: AWD other than you can't get it other than on a LE, so that's that. As for the other 2 bullet points... It might not be a big deal for some. Call me lazy, or call it an appreciation for gadget-try. But for a rugged truck at heart, these features bring the 4R to a level of sophistication that just rings my bell. In the end though, whatever floats your boat is whatever you should spend your hard earned money on.

 

[eddiebx]

^^You guys forgot the most important reason why... because Blizzard Pearl TE conversion. :yo:

 

[DannyLlama]

All available only on the LE at the time. Not much to say re: AWD other than you can't get it other than on a LE, so that's that. As for the other 2 bullet points... It might not be a big deal for some. Call me lazy, or call it an appreciation for gadget-try. But for a rugged truck at heart, these features bring the 4R to a level of sophistication that just rings my bell. In the end though, whatever floats your boat is whatever you should spend your hard earned money on.

Agreed - the smart key may have saved my car from going over to mexico and getting stripped to nothing. It was stolen, but I had the key. It was found after 3 days.

 

[Newf4R]

There's also a Canadian SR5 in BP that will get you a similar look...sorta.

Despite Toyota Canada's website showing you this lovely beast, BP is only available on the Ltd. Why they tease us with this picture I don't know. :sobbing:

 

[Snooperstyle]

Here ya go (also put some in-progress pics and tips into Harper's TE parts needed thread)

 

[KCcarguy]

Here ya go (also put some in-progress pics and tips into Harper's TE parts needed ]

Lookin good snoop!

 

[eddiebx]

[MENTION=54940]Snooperstyle[/MENTION] Super clean job on the CF wrapped fog light bezels and front grill wing! Complements the TE conversion VERY well!