Making a Limited look like a Sport?

R

RockiesRunner

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Hey guys, still looking for a 4Runner (or maybe not? :D). Ive been Craigslist's slave for about 3 months now just searching for the one. A pretty good looking one was posted this morning. EVERYTHING is great about it but i just don't like the 2-tone paint jobs on the limiteds. The base color, Imperial Jade Mica, is one of my favorites, it looks SO good on a Sport edition where all the bumpers are color matched in my opinion. So i was wondering how hard it would be to paint the bumpers, fender flares, and door cladding to match? And do you think it would look good and be worth it in the end?

Every time i find a Sport the looks good, it is 2WD, or it doesnt have diff lock, or the miles are just too high. I can take it anymore! Haha, any feedback is much appreciated :)


Here's the post:
2000 Toyota 4-Runner Limited 4x4 Diff. Lock Leather Ultra Clean TB OK
 
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People on here do it all the time. It just comes down to how much you want to spend. You can have them professionally done, or do them yourself to save money. If you do them yourself you can take them off or leave on and tahems round them. If you do it yourself it probably wouldn't cost too much, but would be a little time consuming. Cost vs. time...do a search on here and you'll find a bunch of threads about it.
 
That truck took a hit in the front, just FYI. Check out the alignment between the flares on the front bumper and the front fenders...
 
BigFishAllDay said:
That truck took a hit in the front, just FYI. Check out the alignment between the flares on the front bumper and the front fenders...
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I saw that too... good eyes. Although if everything else checks out clean, might be a good point of negotiation for the OP. I think that Runner looks great otherwise BTW. Price seems about average for Denver area too.
 
That looks like a good option. Im sure you would anyway, but definatley drive it before you buy it. Take it up to 75 on the highway and see if it has any vibrations. Also if the front end feels solid over potholes and such. There are always 3rd gens for sale on the classifieds here on the forum as well. Alot of great deals here. Youve been looking for a while, but there will never be a shortage of 3rd gens for sale, so I wouldnt feel to pressured to get one. But again, that looks like a great deal. I would offer $7 k for it personally.

If you had your bumpers and flares professionally painted it would probably be at least $600. Its pricey, but I think professional is the way to go. I color match painting my grill and rear liscense plate holder with Dupli color, and SEM paint, which is much more expensive. The SEM looks OK, but its very difficult to get a good finish. The Dupli Color came out smooth, but not very consistent as far as color. It has a few areas that look lighter. You can see pictures in my photo album. And it chips easily. But you can get color match paint for that imperial jade, so thats always a cheaper option
 
If there is nothing wrong with it, then that is a great deal for that market. Almost suspiciously good deal for Denver...
 
So i was wondering how hard it would be to paint the bumpers, fender flares, and door cladding to match? And do you think it would look good and be worth it in the end?
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I paid ~ $500 for removal of my limited Flares, sanding & preparation + professional spray paint job, full clip set and complete re-install of the flares.

I got a "hook up" by my mechanic since he used to own a paint shop and has a monthly allowance of things he can paint at cost.

The catch is that it ended up taking his guys more than 5 hours to all the flares back on to factory spec. The Limited Flares are a total pain in the @ss to properly install. I don't think they made much money off me on that one but I have been a customer for 5 years so I am sure it evened out (especially when my head blew a few months later).

At a different business I also received a quote of $850 for sanding and painting, with NO de-install or install of parts. I think a full body shop would charge $1200 or more to do this work.

:hatsoff:
 
There was a little known option code on the Limiteds in 1999. I believe it may have been available in 2000 as well. Option code 'CB' (colored bumpers) and only offered on the Mica Jade. I am sure it will be very hard to locate one now, but perhaps that gives you some hope to find exactly what you want w/o painting. Best of luck!

fr_georgew.jpg
 
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BigFishAllDay said:
That truck took a hit in the front, just FYI. Check out the alignment between the flares on the front bumper and the front fenders...
Click to expand...

Agreed. I bought mine i noticed the front bumper has a 1/4" gap difference under the headlights from one side to the other. When I pulled my front bumper down to install my body lift 6 months later, the nose cone on the front drivers side frame rail was smashed in and as soon as I unbolted the bumper the mounting bracket broke free from the inside of the bumper. I had to weld it back on. In the end it was just a PITA but now that you know he jarred it on something, its a good bit of info to know when you start talking $$$. When buying a used car Bring a flashlight, ask questions, dont get attached :)
 
brianemc2_42 said:
I paid ~ $500 for removal of my limited Flares, sanding & preparation + professional spray paint job, full clip set and complete re-install of the flares.

I got a "hook up" by my mechanic since he used to own a paint shop and has a monthly allowance of things he can paint at cost.

The catch is that it ended up taking his guys more than 5 hours to all the flares back on to factory spec. The Limited Flares are a total pain in the @ss to properly install. I don't think they made much money off me on that one but I have been a customer for 5 years so I am sure it evened out (especially when my head blew a few months later).

At a different business I also received a quote of $850 for sanding and painting, with NO de-install or install of parts. I think a full body shop would charge $1200 or more to do this work.

:hatsoff:
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Thats crazy. But I believe it. I think we should get a guy on the forum who knows how to paint to get some equipment and we all can hire him to do our painting. I'll do it! I would if I had equipment and a heated garage. But I think that would be a great little side business. And if I could do it I would charge significantly less than what a shop does. maybe in the future
 
You say you would be cheaper than a shop until you try it and find out the cost of space, insurance, and misc fees. or you can try to do it out of your house until a neighbor turns you in because the whole neighborhood smells like paint.

There really is a reason most shops charge what they do.


OP are you looking for a Sport or a Limited that's one color, because there are a lot of other differences between them, than just color matched bumpers.
 
Stick Figure said:
You say you would be cheaper than a shop until you try it and find out the cost of space, insurance, and misc fees. or you can try to do it out of your house until a neighbor turns you in because the whole neighborhood smells like paint.

There really is a reason most shops charge what they do.


OP are you looking for a Sport or a Limited that's one color, because there are a lot of other differences between them, than just color matched bumpers.
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Optimally, I'm looking for a Sport, but they seem to be much rarer which is why i was wondering if i could just get a limited and make it look like one. I like the high boy springs on the Sport. I prefer the cloth over leather, and i like that it comes with the hood scoop.
 
And hey thanks for sharing your experience everyone! The guy is really sketchy about the maintenance and if painting is gonna cost that much then I'll just keep looking for a Sport SR5.
 
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