Help me get used to the plastic body trim

[jrv6a]

Yesterday I bought a 2003 4Runner in blue with gray plastic trim. We'd been planning to buy a 4R for a long time, but yesterday the tranny went out on our car while we were out of town, so we sort of acted on impulse and bought the closest 4Runner around.

The truck is pretty much perfect: under $10K, one-owner, clean Carfax, TONS of service records, low miles, replaced timing belt, and spotless undercarriage. My brain tells me that we made out like bandits, but I just can't get past how much I don't like the faded plastic panels - especially the weird notches over the fenders.

Share some of your thoughts: am I being a baby? am I right not to like it? will it grow on me? any mods I might do?

 

[Dylan]

I agree, I'm not a huge fan of the two-tone. My 04 came with matched color trim though.

You've got some options. I believe you can buy new fender panels that match your color (more $$) or you can paint them on your own to what color you like (less $$, more effort). I think what most (myself included) find less-appealing is that the grey trim is somewhat of an unattractive color/finish. It's like a faded matte finish, which doesn't pair too well with a nice glossy blue that you have going on everywhere else.

 

[kevinpt]

Yesterday I bought a 2003 4Runner in blue with gray plastic trim. We'd been planning to buy a 4R for a long time, but yesterday the tranny went out on our car while we were out of town, so we sort of acted on impulse and bought the closest 4Runner around.

The truck is pretty much perfect: under $10K, one-owner, clean Carfax, TONS of service records, low miles, replaced timing belt, and spotless undercarriage. My brain tells me that we made out like bandits, but I just can't get past how much I don't like the faded plastic panels - especially the weird notches over the fenders.

Share some of your thoughts: am I being a baby? am I right not to like it? will it grow on me? any mods I might do?

i dont think it looks bad if its kept in good condition. some have used products to make it look like new and it looks great. others have plasti dipped it black and that also looks good.

 

[Cygan1008]

Go pick up some turtle wax black wax spray from Wally World, clean the cladding(plastic) and then wax it with that. It will give it a nice deep wet look. Best thing I have found for it and I've tried a ton of stuff. It works really well in the paint and weather stripping as well.

Then get some wheels that match. The sequoia limited split spoke wheels are a anthracite color and match pretty well but there are aftermarket wheels that match pretty well to.

The more of an off road look you give it the better it looks with the cladding I think.


Here is mine

 

[Cygan1008]

You could also plastidip your current wheels with the gunmetal color which is also a pretty close match

 

[jrv6a]

That looks WAY better. Off to get some Turtle wax - the wheels will take some time.

 

[Ask10]

I am not a huge fan either of my cladding, but one thing that happened yesterday that made me appreciate it was that a lady swung around and hit her shopping cart into my bumper. Of course she didn't say sorry, but looking at the bumper, I realized that even if it was scratched, it looks a lot "better" than a painted surface would. I think I'll keep the cladding as is.

 

[Cygan1008]

That looks WAY better. Off to get some Turtle wax - the wheels will take some time.

Nothing has worked as good as the turtle wax for me. It is wax so it doesn't last forever but it lasts longer then anything else and it's not like it's hard to apply.

If your willing to try the plastidip, dipyourcar.com sells a metallic anthracite as well as the gunmetal gray. You can buy a kit with everything you need for the wheels for like $30-40. The sequoia wheels aren't to bad $ wise but they seem to be a little hard to find.

Plus ask10 has a good point about the "damage resistance".

 

[momo.75]

I have been using this Natural Shine Dressing from Chemical Guys. I used it on my trim and my tires. It doesn't leave a greasy shiny look. It just gives it a richer look.

Chemical Guys TVD_201_16 - Vintage Series Natural Shine, Satin Shine Dressing (16 oz)

I bought mine in Nov. of 2002 and the trim is still looking good.



If you decide to plasti-dip it just make sure it is cleaned really good. You don't have to sand it or anything. If you decide to paint it that is another process all together. The plastic has to be cleaned extensively and then a spray has to be applied before the paint to keep it from flaking. I had checked on having mine done several years ago and it was going to be a couple thousand to do it.

 

[seeking3rdgen]

I'm usually not a fan of the plastic cladding, but your 4Runner looks great.

 

[momo.75]

Thanks man...:thanks:

 

[Nervo19]

I searched for a picture of the body cladding removed. This guy took silver body cladding off a third gen and painted it body color. People paint cheap plastic Bushwackers body color all the time.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/143023-limited-fender-flare-cladding-removal-re-install.html

You would need paint mixed with a flex additive to paint them. Paintscratch.com can make spray cans of it. You would have to sand the texture of the flares and panels before painting and use an adhesion primer. You could be the first to do this on a 4th gen and do a thread and be a hero. I don't blame you if you don't want to.

The above ideas are great. I've also seen someone use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to bring black trim back.

There was an '03 4Runner for sale when I got my '08 in January. It's still for sale for only $8999. 149k, timing belt done and a good Carfax. I think the body clad is holding it back. IMO it looks older than the other 4Runners the same age.

 

[JB40]

The good news, you'll have no trouble trimming them if you need to.

I personally think it looks tough, especially with dark wheels. I'd rock the crap out of it. Plus, it doesn't permanently fade like paint. So enjoy it.

 

[momo.75]

If any of you decided to pull your cladding let me know. I have a deep scratch running across two panels.

 

[ADRay]

I have the same year and paint color.

While it may not look as cool as if it was painted, I like how durable it is. I don't have to worry about chips on the rocker panels, the doors bumping or being into in parking lots, or my kids scratching the lower part of the doors and bumpers.

 

[LTDSC]

Im glad my 03 came with painted cladding, ill just say that.

 

[Ashtonguyton]

I'm personally not a fan of the cladding on my 03 sport. I finally got tired of the grey on black look, except for [MENTION=165]momo.75[/MENTION] His car looks absolutely amazing

So I plasti dipped my cladding and it feels like a completely different truck now. But that's me )








.

 

[bowhunter53]

If momo's rig doesnt make you like the cladding I dont know what will. Impressively Awesome!

I have been using this Natural Shine Dressing from Chemical Guys. I used it on my trim and my tires. It doesn't leave a greasy shiny look. It just gives it a richer look.

Chemical Guys TVD_201_16 - Vintage Series Natural Shine, Satin Shine Dressing (16 oz)

I bought mine in Nov. of 2002 and the trim is still looking good.



If you decide to plasti-dip it just make sure it is cleaned really good. You don't have to sand it or anything. If you decide to paint it that is another process all together. The plastic has to be cleaned extensively and then a spray has to be applied before the paint to keep it from flaking. I had checked on having mine done several years ago and it was going to be a couple thousand to do it.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I really didn't like the cladding when I first looked for a 4Runner, but its grown on me in a weird way...

I kind of hate it but don't at the same time. I do like the fact that it doesn't show scratches like my painted fenders do (I have a Black '04), but at the same time I am not too happy with the contrast as it makes feel unfinished/cheap.

But I do like the square sections that the unpainted fenders have, they give a unique profile that almost makes up for the plain painted fenders. The Plasti-Dipped ones look the best in my honest opinion.

Does anyone have pictures of '03 4Runners that have front and rear metal bumpers? I feel that would make the non-painted fenders look even better/more heavy duty.

 

[luevanojoey]

2003 cladding, exact color

I bought mine around new years, exact color. i too acted on impulse and got the only 4runner with a v8 and 4wd that i could find at a price i was looking for 9K

i was almost embarrassed with the cladding, but once i started modding to for more off road, i actually like it a lot!, plus trimming is easy if necessary, and sometimes when its not necessary, just the other day i was rock climbing(sorta) and i was flexed out the ying yang, the back tire rubbed the back bumper bending it even, but once i was off that rock, the plastic bumper just went back into place like it was never bent

:uzi: