Need Opinions - 4Runner Tint

[DenverKid24]

Hey all,

I am getting the 4Runner tinted on Thursday.

Just curious as to what you guys recommend/like % wise.

I was thinking 15% or 20%, but definitely wanted to get your guys opinions.

Thanks

 

[SleekRunner]

20% would be your best bet. The rear windows are dyed 20% from the factory so 20% would be the closest to match the rears. The inside may look darker on the front since you will be tinting the front, and the rear windows were dyed.

Heres a link to a thread i posted when i got 20% on my front two windows and it matches up perfectly in my opinion. Hope that helps.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/78286-new-tint-pics.html

 

[Opi]

20% would be your best bet. The rear windows are dyed 20% from the factory so 20% would be the closest to match the rears. The inside may look darker on the front since you will be tinting the front, and the rear windows were dyed.

Heres a link to a thread i posted when i got 20% on my front two windows and it matches up perfectly in my opinion. Hope that helps.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/78286-new-tint-pics.html

yours looks really dark for 20, but mine are also 20% i like it.

 

[SleekRunner]

yours looks really dark for 20, but mine are also 20% i like it.

Yeah when I took the picture there is a big oak tree that hovers over our driveway, so it really shaded the area and made it seem really dark. I should probably take some day photos. But, I think somewhere on the windows, it says 20%, I'm not positive but its just what I'm thinking...

Oh yeah I definitely love tint. It adds so much more character to a vehicle and looks so much better than a clear window.

 

[DenverKid24]

20% would be your best bet. The rear windows are dyed 20% from the factory so 20% would be the closest to match the rears. The inside may look darker on the front since you will be tinting the front, and the rear windows were dyed.

Heres a link to a thread i posted when i got 20% on my front two windows and it matches up perfectly in my opinion. Hope that helps.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/78286-new-tint-pics.html

yours looks really dark for 20, but mine are also 20% i like it.

Thanks for the quick replies.

Few questions:

I'd like it so people really can't see in the car from the road. Does 20% provide that?

Also, are you saying if the factory back windows are already 20%? So I would only need to do the front 2 if I were to go with 20%? Because mine don't look 20% at all, and if they were for some reason, I definitely want them darker. Also, isn't 20% illegal, so I must be reading what you said wrong.

Last question, how easy is it to see out of at night? A bunch of my buddies have 5%, and man, that is really, really hard to see out of at night, so that's why I was thinking higher.

 

[98_4runnerSR5]

1) Factory rear tint is 18% not 20%. Had 3 tint places tell me that and all of them switched from 20% to 18% in the past few years because they were getting complaints about not exact matches.
2) I have 18% and people can't really see inside much at all. Definitely will get the job done. Any darker than that on the front would look funny unless you did the rear as well.
3) 20% in MO is illegal. It depends upon your state so look it up. I have never gotten in trouble for mine. We drive 4runners after all, not sports cars so less likely to get caught
4) 5% is super super dark and hard to see out of at night. I honestly wouldn't go any lower than 18% or 20% on your front.

 

[KellyJ]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Few questions:

I'd like it so people really can't see in the car from the road. Does 20% provide that?

Also, are you saying if the factory back windows are already 20%? So I would only need to do the front 2 if I were to go with 20%? Because mine don't look 20% at all, and if they were for some reason, I definitely want them darker. Also, isn't 20% illegal, so I must be reading what you said wrong.

Last question, how easy is it to see out of at night? A bunch of my buddies have 5%, and man, that is really, really hard to see out of at night, so that's why I was thinking higher.

I'm at 15% in the front and it matched my factory rear ones very well. Incredibly hard to see out the side view mirrors at night, other than that, I love them. Can't see in the car from 3-4' away with the sunroof shade closed. 50% is legal in VA, I'm lucky lol.

 

[SleekRunner]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Few questions:

I'd like it so people really can't see in the car from the road. Does 20% provide that?

Also, are you saying if the factory back windows are already 20%? So I would only need to do the front 2 if I were to go with 20%? Because mine don't look 20% at all, and if they were for some reason, I definitely want them darker. Also, isn't 20% illegal, so I must be reading what you said wrong.

Last question, how easy is it to see out of at night? A bunch of my buddies have 5%, and man, that is really, really hard to see out of at night, so that's why I was thinking higher.

Yes, you are correct, the rears are already @ 20% so all you have to do is get the front two tinted to match the rest. 20% is fairly easy to see into in the daytime if you walk right up to the vehicle, but at a distance of 10-15 ft i think they should just see a silhouette of anyone inside the car.

20% is not that hard to see out of at night, unless someone is driving a dark colored car with their lights off then you wont see them, like i did and almost hit them... luckily they werent that close to me.

Anyways, I only find it hard to see when i am backing up and even then its not that hard to roll the windows down then back up when you are done. Other than that, it really is not a problem IMO. However, @ 5% someone else should chime in because i have no idea how hard it would be to see.

 

[DenverKid24]

1) Factory rear tint is 18% not 20%. Had 3 tint places tell me that and all of them switched from 20% to 18% in the past few years because they were getting complaints about not exact matches.
2) I have 18% and people can't really see inside much at all. Definitely will get the job done. Any darker than that on the front would look funny unless you did the rear as well.
3) 20% in MO is illegal. It depends upon your state so look it up. I have never gotten in trouble for mine. We drive 4runners after all, not sports cars so less likely to get caught
4) 5% is super super dark and hard to see out of at night. I honestly wouldn't go any lower than 18% or 20% on your front.

Thanks for the response. Hmmm, mine just don't seem like they are 18%, because you can see in pretty easily.

So I might want to go lower like 10% if that is the case, I know they will show me when I get there, but just wanted to get opinions.

I believe 21.5% is the legal limit here in Colorado, from what I've heard.

And I am not really worried about getting pulled over, just the seeing thing at night haha. But yeah, I won't go 5%, thats too dark for my liking.

 

[DenverKid24]

I'm at 15% in the front and it matched my factory rear ones very well. Incredibly hard to see out the side view mirrors at night, other than that, I love them. Can't see in the car from 3-4' away with the sunroof shade closed. 50% is legal in VA, I'm lucky lol.

I was leaning more towards 15%. Could you link me to a page where you have pics of your 4runner posted? I couldn't find a build thread for you or anything, maybe I just missed it.

Thanks.

 

[Opi]

Thanks for the response. Hmmm, mine just don't seem like they are 18%, because you can see in pretty easily.

So I might want to go lower like 10% if that is the case, I know they will show me when I get there, but just wanted to get opinions.

I believe 21.5% is the legal limit here in Colorado, from what I've heard.

And I am not really worried about getting pulled over, just the seeing thing at night haha. But yeah, I won't go 5%, thats too dark for my liking.

dont forget a lighter color interior will play different on your visibility than a dark one too

 

[DenverKid24]

dont forget a lighter color interior will play different on your visibility than a dark one too

Thanks, wasn't thinking of that. I have a lighter tan interior.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Are you tinting just the fronts or all around?

That's 15% all around with and extra 20% on the fronts.

Are you going to do the banner?

I'd check to see how strict your local law enforcement is.

 

[KellyJ]

I was leaning more towards 15%. Could you link me to a page where you have pics of your 4runner posted? I couldn't find a build thread for you or anything, maybe I just missed it.

Thanks.

Sure. Here ya go:

 

[DenverKid24]

Are you tinting just the fronts or all around?

That's 15% all around with and extra 20% on the fronts.

Are you going to do the banner?

I'd check to see how strict your local law enforcement is.

I planned on doing all around (exclude sunroof and windshield).

What do you mean 'extra 20% on the fronts'?

Also, what banner? The front windshield banner?

Local law enforcement doesn't seem to be too strict, 3 of my buddies have 5% and non of them have ever been picked off for tint, and another buddy has 15% and same thing. Then not sure what everyone else has, but those are the 4 I know of, and don't think any of them have had trouble with it.

I really like how dark your 4runner is, I like it a lot. So if that is 15%, I think I'm sold.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Yes. I meant windshield banner.

I had 20% on the fronts at first, but that wasn't dark enough for me. Then I got 15% on the rears, but the fronts didn't match so I put another 15% on the fronts to even it out.

If you're looking for dark I don't think you'll be happy with 20%. I was able to see in fairly easy on a moderately sunny with just 20% on the fronts.

The front windshield lets in a lot of light.

 

[DenverKid24]

Yes. I meant windshield banner.

I had 20% on the fronts at first, but that wasn't dark enough for me. Then I got 15% on the rears, but the fronts didn't match so I put another 15% on the fronts to even it out.

If you're looking for dark I don't think you'll be happy with 20%. I was able to see in fairly easy on a moderately sunny with just 20% on the fronts.

The front windshield lets in a lot of light.

How content are you with 15% now? Do you wish you went to let say 10%, or do you like it right where it is?

Do you recommend the banner? I'm not really decided on that.

Also, how do you like the vent visors, I was considering getting some of those.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

The banner is kind of a personal decision. It depends on if you like the look or not. I personally think it's nice to block the sun when it's coming up or setting. It only cost me like $10-20 so it wasn't bad.

The vent visors are nice if you like to use them. They are slim and sleek so they don't look bad.

I'm pretty happy with what I have now. It's not super dark. It's a good middle ground for me. A little hard to see at night, but nice during the day.

 

[DenverKid24]

The banner is kind of a personal decision. It depends on if you like the look or not. I personally think it's nice to block the sun when it's coming up or setting. It only cost me like $10-20 so it wasn't bad.

The vent visors are nice if you like to use them. They are slim and sleek so they don't look bad.

I'm pretty happy with what I have now. It's not super dark. It's a good middle ground for me. A little hard to see at night, but nice during the day.

Cool thank you for the info. I think I am most likely sold on the 15%, unless when the hold it up, it is still too light for me, but it sounds like it is good.

As for the banner, that is a tough decision, don't really 'love' the look of it, but I know there are times when I wished I had one because of the sun, even with sunglasses.

Would you mind telling me where you got your vent visors and a rough price?

Thanks for the info.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Toyota 4-Runner 1996-2002 In-Channel Window Deflectors - eBay (item 330486402869 end time Mar-17-11 17:05:56 PDT)

~$48. Not bad in my opinion.

Unless you like really dark tint I will almost guarantee that the 15% will not be too light.