Hi New 08 4runner question

[sunburn731]

Hi, my gf just bought a brand new 08' 4runner. Its a base sr5 v6 4x2.

My question is:

When she test drove the car, it was at night and was not able to see interior. She assumed it was going to be black and silver.
The next day she went back negotiated with the sales guy and bought the car. But the interior now that she was able to see it in broad daylight was pretty hideous. The trim on it was this cheap plastic blue stone pattern. (Like the fake wood look but it was blue and it wasnt emulating wood,..more like fake granite table top). Anyways, it appears to be glued on top of the OEM instrument panel and other areas. I can see the silver trim underneath it. (like around the radio)I was thinking to my self this can't be a toyota option. It looks too poorly done. The cosmetic fake stone stuff they put on top looks evidently glued on top of the silver painted area and its just too ugly.

Ive been through the toyota website, and every other site that reviewed this car. Not one has mentioned this interior trim option.

So just to make sure:
1)Is this a toyota OEM interior option?

I have a gut feeling the dealership did this to the car. Im about to remove and retouch the panels myself. My GF is not very happy with the interior.

 

[borgzman]

Is this what you mean?

 

[sunburn731]

No, not all. I'll try to post a picture later on. YOur picture looks pretty "standard" trim to what I see on the toyota websites and brochure.

Around the AC vents, the radio. Down the center cup holder area and even the window up and down switch has the nasty fake granite coutertop trim in blue.
I guess it wouldnt bother me or her if, it didnt look like some one just glued it on top of the OEM parts underneath it. It feels like a detail shop did it.

I want to take it back to the dealership and have it it removed for free if possible.

 

[borgzman]

Ok..my last guess ..but its not blue.
They must be hiding something if thats the one..

 

[J.A.]

Is it similar to this...

Too late now but...never make a big purchase like that in the dark.

 

[Conspearasea]

I looked at an Urban Runner while at a dealer getting some service done and it had the interior you were talking about.....stuff I saw was OK looking but I prefer the standard interior myself.

Kind of interesting how you buy a car and then after delivery take notice of the interior.....yep don't buy it at night on a whim I guess.

 

[HB 4X4]

I would just carefully remove it, then use a product such as goof off to remove any excess adhesive. This is not OEM; probably something the dealer threw on there for cheap effects. I have however, heard that these "dash kits" can be near impossible to remove. Maybe using a similar technique as removing the emblems would ease the process? (Heating it with a blow drier)

I guess buying at night isn't a great decision. Not only for this reason, but also because you can't see any defects, or how the exterior condition is.

 

[borgzman]

He said its a brand new 08 SR5, V6...What could be the reason the dealer is sticking those dash kits in a brandnew vehicle?
What if the dealer is hiding cracks and cosmetic defects, isn't that unfair to the buyer? They themselves are strict on installations of aftermarket parts as it may void the warranty. I would question them and would possibly backout if they are hiding something.

 

[Barefoot]

What could be the reason the dealer is sticking those dash kits in a brandnew vehicle?

Profit

 

[useport80]

08 UR interior

hey all,
i got an 08 urban runner in july. i'll take interior pix and post them up tonight..

 

[sunburn731]

Yes, it looks very close to that picture above. The blue-ish granite top look.

So it is definitely not factory OEM?

The 4runner is brand new, with hardly any miles on. I don't know why the car is detailed with a aftermarket dash kit. Not only is it aftermarket, it done poorly. It literally looks glued down on top of the silver OEM part.

I don't want risk removing it myself yet, until I understand the full extent of it.
If I heat it up, can I use a heat gun? Or is that too strong? Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[useport80]

mine kinda looks like borgzman. its like a dark grey marbley kinda look. but i dont remember it looking blue..

but then again im a lil color blind so blue's can look like grey's to me lol (dont lol)

once i leave work tonight i'll take a pic

 

[J.A.]

Yes, it looks very close to that picture above. The blue-ish granite top look.

So it is definitely not factory OEM?

The 4runner is brand new, with hardly any miles on. I don't know why the car is detailed with a aftermarket dash kit. Not only is it aftermarket, it done poorly. It literally looks glued down on top of the silver OEM part.

I don't want risk removing it myself yet, until I understand the full extent of it.
If I heat it up, can I use a heat gun? Or is that too strong? Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

It looks like that because it is glued on top of the factory silver plastic. Your best bet is to go back and demand that on the next vehicle to come off the truck that they swap out your kit for a factory set. They should agree because they can upsell that same kit to another person, double profit for them and you get back to stock for free as well.

 

[riverider]

It looks like that because it is glued on top of the factory silver plastic. Your best bet is to go back and demand that on the next vehicle to come off the truck that they swap out your kit for a factory set. They should agree because they can upsell that same kit to another person, double profit for them and you get back to stock for free as well.

The Truck has been sold so chances of this happening is the same as gas selling again at 15 cents a gallon. It's not going to happen. She will learn to love it.:

 

[J.A.]

I know it is sold, and I know that if you complain enough there is a very good chance that you can get them to simply change out the "upgraded" parts for stock parts.

 

[borgzman]

I know it is sold, and I know that if you complain enough there is a very good chance that you can get them to simply change out the "upgraded" parts for stock parts.

:iagree: yes, its your right..the buyer should deserve OEM and stock parts for a brandnew vehicle unless specified that the buyer has full knowledge that an aftermarket part is installed.

 

[Uneek]

I don't think it can removed. One of my buddies installed a similar kit on his TL. There's a surface prep/adhesion promoter pen that's applied over the surface. It removes any sheen and dulls plastic, so the faux wood/granite piece and can stick to it. So even if the adhesive was successfully removed, if the prep/promoter was applied to the surface, the damage has been done. The adhesive backing on the faux piece is a sticky bubble gum like material.

I would demand the dealer replace the interior parts or swap the vehicle out.

 

[sunburn731]

WE DID it!

Thanks, everyone for your input. But last night my gf was so fed up with the interior she actually started peeling it off with her bare hands. (No shes not a he-she man woman beast) Its that poorly put on, that a small girl can pull it off. So I joined in and started to peel it off. With a few hard tugs, the vinyl came off like fruit roll up. The adhesive underneath stuck, but its a rubbery like substance so we were able to peel it off as well. And there was no paint damage.

 

[useport80]

sounds like the issue is semi resolved. i took pictures of my interior this morning.. if u want to see let me know and i'll upload them

 

[borgzman]

sounds like the issue is semi resolved. i took pictures of my interior this morning.. if u want to see let me know and i'll upload them

Pls upload the pics, as me myself only seen the interior of the Urban Runner in Toyota website. Do you have the Urban Runner?