Historical Question
- Thread starter alaskaman
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CNI
New member
I imagine it was more of a styling issue for Toyota considering most usually don't like the plastic cladding very much. Look at the Grand Cherokee. Most desired to have the Limited for the painted lower cladding instead of the plastic cladding. I'll agree that the plastic cladding makes much more sense for off road use with rock chips etc but most want their SUV's to look expensive and not be utilitarian. How many sport utility people ACTUALLY take their rides off road??? probably not many (hummer owners even less 
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Pirate VI
New member
RonMAIDEN is right, I like the cladding, I think the two tone look looks real nice, however after owning my Rav4 with the unpainted cladding I will never buy another car with unpainted cladding. It seems impossible to get fully clean, and It fades pretty fast, and not all of the plastic fades at the same rate (some pieces are lighter than others).
If I remember correctly, the early SR5 and Sport models didn't sell well, and the feedback was that the cladding was the issue. People just didn't like it too well, so Toyota made a midyear change.alaskaman said:
I have it and like it. But I'll be the first to admit that it looks better on some colors than others.
There may be more information on the forum -- you'd need to look back to around February, 2003. That's about the time the change was made -- it was just after I took possession of mine in January, 2003.
dingo
New member
Re: Re: Historical Question
:iagree:
I still think that the Titanium Silver Sport Editions with the gray cladding look awesome. It just looks rignt with the silver paint, SE rims, and the hoodscoop. It just goes with the entire SE. I also like those "knuckle" moulding at the tips of the fenders. It gives it a more aggressive look.
jharris2 said:
:iagree:
I still think that the Titanium Silver Sport Editions with the gray cladding look awesome. It just looks rignt with the silver paint, SE rims, and the hoodscoop. It just goes with the entire SE. I also like those "knuckle" moulding at the tips of the fenders. It gives it a more aggressive look.
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Uneek
Super Moderator
The gray cladding was what killed it for me when the 4th gen made its debut. Not only did I not like the gray cladding but I also don't like the "knuckles" on top of the fender flares
But after seeing the gray cladding 4Runners around, I actually like the cladding and notice 4Runners with the cladding around more so than the rest, unless it's a '06+, since those gotten a facelift. The later 2003-05s all look alike.
But after seeing the gray cladding 4Runners around, I actually like the cladding and notice 4Runners with the cladding around more so than the rest, unless it's a '06+, since those gotten a facelift. The later 2003-05s all look alike.
Jeff Kleb
New member
Body Cladding
Not to besmirch any of you folks with the cladding on your '03 models, but I honestly believe that it makes the 4Runner look very cheap and sort of (Dare I say it!) "Jeepish" in nature.
If you have it and like it, then more power to you. I think my '05 SR5 looks just fine without it. To me, it is like an early 1970s Corvette with side pipes. It just does something to hurt the overall lines of the vehicle.
:bash:
"Getting bald is not about having less hair, but is all about getting more head." -- Billy Joel (from his February concert in Charlottesville, VA)
Not to besmirch any of you folks with the cladding on your '03 models, but I honestly believe that it makes the 4Runner look very cheap and sort of (Dare I say it!) "Jeepish" in nature.
If you have it and like it, then more power to you. I think my '05 SR5 looks just fine without it. To me, it is like an early 1970s Corvette with side pipes. It just does something to hurt the overall lines of the vehicle.
:bash:
"Getting bald is not about having less hair, but is all about getting more head." -- Billy Joel (from his February concert in Charlottesville, VA)
The cladding that came on the 03 4Runners was very cool, at least I liked it. Any insight as to why the cladding was discontinued in that form? I liked the two tone effect.
You and two other people liked that stuff! The salesman that sold us our '03 (one of the very first 4th gens delivered) was beside himself with angst over having to try to sell "That ugly crap". He hadn't figured out yet that not all the 4th gen trucks had the contrasting cladding and was wildly enthusiastic when he first saw ours (Titanium silver w/matching cladding, bumper cover, etc.).
As I recall, initial sales of the new two-tone trucks were south of dismal, and Toyota hastened to put a fix on the problem.
Best regards.
You and two other people liked that stuff! The salesman that sold us our '03 (one of the very first 4th gens delivered) was beside himself with angst over having to try to sell "That ugly crap". He hadn't figured out yet that not all the 4th gen trucks had the contrasting cladding and was wildly enthusiastic when he first saw ours (Titanium silver w/matching cladding, bumper cover, etc.).
As I recall, initial sales of the new two-tone trucks were south of dismal, and Toyota hastened to put a fix on the problem.
Best regards.
