Keeping Her, need some pointers

[anamealreadyinuse]

I've recently had the dash pulled and AC repaired and a few other items on my 2003 4-Runner to the tune of $1300 instead of trading her in. To be honest, there is nothing on the market I like as much as this 4-Runner. I figure a couple of thousand (doing a paint job next) is cheaper than the 35,40k for a new vehicle if I can run it another 100k miles.

Four Questions:

1.) The carpet is stained in certain areas from years of coffee and raising two kids, what do you guys recommend to clean the carpets? What is the best for removing stains?

2.) I have the light gray interior/carpet and dark gray dash. Is there a way to "stain" the carpets a dark gray to hide any stains I am unable to remove?

3.) Seat covers...I see alot of them on Amazon, most look loose and sloppy. Is there any seat covers that actually provide a nice, tight fit and do not looks like I slapped a sheet over the seats?

4.) The roof rack end points are cracking...Paint shop said they may crack fully when they remove the rack to paint. They look like crap anyway. What is the best place to buy replacements?

Any advice or suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[Morphyne]

1. I don't know. But I would just get weathertech mats to cover up the stains and call it good.
But I have had good luck with basic co sumer grade carpet cleaners. The ones with the scrubby on the cap.
2. See answer 1.
3. Wet okole, katzkin, cover king I that order
4. Genuine OEM Toyota Parts & Accessories | toyotapartznet.com

 

[bamma]

I've recently had the dash pulled and AC repaired and a few other items on my 2003 4-Runner to the tune of $1300 instead of trading her in. To be honest, there is nothing on the market I like as much as this 4-Runner. I figure a couple of thousand (doing a paint job next) is cheaper than the 35,40k for a new vehicle if I can run it another 100k miles.

Four Questions:

1.) The carpet is stained in certain areas from years of coffee and raising two kids, what do you guys recommend to clean the carpets? What is the best for removing stains?

Buy new carpet.

2.) I have the light gray interior/carpet and dark gray dash. Is there a way to "stain" the carpets a dark gray to hide any stains I am unable to remove?

See 1

3.) Seat covers...I see alot of them on Amazon, most look loose and sloppy. Is there any seat covers that actually provide a nice, tight fit and do not looks like I slapped a sheet over the seats?

Clazzio

4.) The roof rack end points are cracking...Paint shop said they may crack fully when they remove the rack to paint. They look like crap anyway. What is the best place to buy replacements?

Very expensive. I bought a new tube style rack cheaper than replacing the 4 end caps.

Any advice or suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

See inline.

 

[Inv4drZm]

New replacement carpets really aren't too expensive.

03-09 Toyota 4Runner Carpet 4 Door, Passenger Area Only 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

https://www.accmats.com/commerce/2005/Toyota/4Runner/Flooring/23559/

 

[anamealreadyinuse]

Good Options

Thanks guys, some good options here...where is a place to look at the tube replacement roof racks?

 

[AdmiralAugbar]

Somewhat related, but I'm looking to buy a 2006 Limited roof rack part, the part that covers the bolts attaching the roof rack to the roof. Anyone have an idea of where I could find that part? Checked Toyotapartznet.com with no luck.

Found it on toyotpartsestore.com but $65 for the part plus $15 for shipping seems steep..

Edit: Cheapest I've found online is Amazon for $57 shipped (I have Prime). Still crazy steep for some plastic.

 

[luke87gt]

Did you say paint work??

Paint work and engine replacement are probably the two most expensive jobs you can do on your car...

 

[Drummer1]

The only thing I found that worked for my stained carpet was calling a local detailer that used an extractor to clean mine. The previous owner had kids that spillled drinks on the back seat which I found all the colors of the rainbow in my carpet under the seat.
I am planning on getting mine painted with the same color all over because my clear coat is coming off in multiple areas and some of the paint is worn down to the primer. A paint job is not cheap, but it is worth it if you plan to keep your 4Runner.
Good luck!

 

[bamma]

Thanks guys, some good options here...where is a place to look at the tube replacement roof racks?

http://www.crowntoyotascionparts.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=326804

Edit: I looked at a lot of dealers, and Crown was the only one I could find that had free shipping on this rack. Much better than spending $200+ on new end caps.

 

[sonerick]

Some good info on cleaning the carpet here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/131408-diy-total-interior-cleaning.html

(edit) and here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/177975-carpet-stripped-cleaned-pics.html

 

[FMFwarrior]

1. I don't know. But I would just get weathertech mats to cover up the stains and call it good.
But I have had good luck with basic co sumer grade carpet cleaners. The ones with the scrubby on the cap.
2. See answer 1.
3. Wet okole, katzkin, cover king I that order
4. Genuine OEM Toyota Parts & Accessories | toyotapartznet.com

x2 on this

 

[mizak82]

Carpet you can try to clean. Spray sem fabric paint on them. Or you can replace it when you do the seats.

Kazin makes leather OEM seat covers. Replace the carpet when you pull the seats to recover.

Find roof racks in classified or craigslist.


Me personal walking away w new dash, leather, and carpet on the interior would make me feel like a new vehicle.

As for paint. Idk. Lot of directions to go in.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[anamealreadyinuse]

Update

Paint is done. I went with the $799.00 from Maaco with the 3 year warranty. I did another car with Maaco 6 years ago and the paint is still solid, they are still using IMRON paints so I hope I can get the life out of it again. Looks good I think.
[MENTION=83135]bamma[/MENTION], that Roof Rack says it's for a 2008? Will it still fit a 2003? Mine cracked when removing for paint...cheaper to replace at that price.

 

[bamma]

Paint is done. I went with the $799.00 from Maaco with the 3 year warranty. I did another car with Maaco 6 years ago and the paint is still solid, they are still using IMRON paints so I hope I can get the life out of it again. Looks good I think.

[MENTION=83135]bamma[/MENTION], that Roof Rack says it's for a 2008? Will it still fit a 2003? Mine cracked when removing for paint...cheaper to replace at that price.

Yeah, it fits 03 to 09. It comes with the bolts and end caps, so you just need the tools to remove the old and install the new. I used blue loctite to ensure it stays tight.

 

[taxzz]

Paint is done. I went with the $799.00 from Maaco with the 3 year warranty. I did another car with Maaco 6 years ago and the paint is still solid, they are still using IMRON paints so I hope I can get the life out of it again. Looks good I think.

did you have them move the SR5 to the rear??

 

[J053619]

A cheap way to clean the carpet is to buy stain remover, treat it and rent a rug doctor steamer from your local supermarket. But seeing as there are options to replace you could try that and go for a fresh new carpet. Especially if you got a new paint job. You could make that runner look like its freah off the lot. Get some clazzio seat covers and your set!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[anamealreadyinuse]

Thanks

Thanks Bamma, I'm going to order it now.

No! I just realized the paint people moved them... :wtf: I guess the paint guy did know where it went and decided for me...geeez!

FYI: I used this stuff yesterday on the exterior trim, side rails and side mirror covers etc....AMAZING, it looks brand new. Everything was bleached and a mess, this really restored it to brand new.

Also, not sure if you guys fish/boat...but here is a great company that I work with that do some pretty awesome fish decals and fishing stickers: www.skifflife.us -

I've got new stickers for my rear windshield coming in but the old ones have lasted 5 years.

 

[mizak82]

i don't think stuff like that lasts..

your going to need some satin trim paint for the black stuff on the car.. running boards, mud flaps.. its been 13 years of exposure to sun.. its baked.. you got the car painted might as well do the rest.. or just pull all that stuff off..

and dip your wheels..