Options for "de-chroming"

[dos palomas]

Hey all, just recently joined this forum after lurking about for a few weeks. Hoping to purchase a T4R in the next few months, but was going back and forth with what I wanted for exterior styling.

I want 4WD, but don't need the off-road bells and whistles of the TE. As far as looks, I like the way the SR5 V4 (Toyota 4Runner Colors) and the TE look with the flat black plastic instead of the chromed plastic.

As I see it, I have 2 options:

1. Get the SR5 V6 and get a body shop to de-chrome everything. Not sure how comfortable I'd be doing this myself... OR, can I custom order a SR5 V6 with the exterior styling of the V4 model?

2. Go ahead and bite the bullet and get the more expensive TE. However, I'm not sure about this, because I'd be paying almost $2K more for a less comfy interior and for a few off-road features that I probably wouldn't use.

Any thoughts?

 

[M1911]

1. Get the SR5 V6 and get a body shop to de-chrome everything. Not sure how comfortable I'd be doing this myself...

Won't be cheap.

OR, can I custom order a SR5 V6 with the exterior styling of the V4 model?

No.

2. Go ahead and bite the bullet and get the more expensive TE. However, I'm not sure about this, because I'd be paying almost $2K more for a less comfy interior and for a few off-road features that I probably wouldn't use.

You would likely spend a lot more than $2k at a body shop getting #1 done, and then your resale value would be questionable.

I'd buy the TE.

 

[sp8ball]

Hey all, just recently joined this forum after lurking about for a few weeks. Hoping to purchase a T4R in the next few months, but was going back and forth with what I wanted for exterior styling.

I want 4WD, but don't need the off-road bells and whistles of the TE. As far as looks, I like the way the SR5 V4 (Toyota 4Runner Colors) and the TE look with the flat black plastic instead of the chromed plastic.

As I see it, I have 2 options:

1. Get the SR5 V6 and get a body shop to de-chrome everything. Not sure how comfortable I'd be doing this myself... OR, can I custom order a SR5 V6 with the exterior styling of the V4 model?

2. Go ahead and bite the bullet and get the more expensive TE. However, I'm not sure about this, because I'd be paying almost $2K more for a less comfy interior and for a few off-road features that I probably wouldn't use.

Any thoughts?

Welcome dos palomas!

I came on the board 2-3 weeks ago with the same concerns. I like the everyday features and comfort of the SR5, but I HATE the chrome.

Harper7 has some experience de-chroming his Limited, and gave me some insight into how he went about doing it.

I've also brought it up to my dealer, and he's looking into ways to get rid of the chrome before I take delivery of mine.

 

[dos palomas]

thanks for the replies fellas. i think ill head to the dealer and see what they think. ill let you know if there is anything interesting to report. its too bad that we dont want the "premium" chrome!

my favorite look right now is a black 4runner with the silver "4runner" on the back. i think the chrome plate around that emblem totally messes it up...

 

[adoihcj]

i think the chrome plate around that emblem totally messes it up...

This is my favorite item on the outside of mine. I would never think of losing it! Just my opinion.

 

[dekeman]

Simple solution for you and anyone else considering black trim parts: Buy the SR5, then order the various black parts you want from Canada, where SR5 comes without the chrome.

Funny, I like the chrome and prefer the US SR5 look.

 

[westwind77]

Funny, I like the chrome and prefer the US SR5 look.

Same here! I think it helps 'breaks up' the 4R a little. I've seen some cars/suvs with an overload of chrome, I dont think the 4R is anywhere near that, IMO.

 

[dos palomas]

haha, you know i think im coming around a bit on the chrome myself. ill probably end up going for the SR5 V6 4WD and then maybe in the future, ill get the canadian parts.

good suggestion though, hadn't thought of that!

 

[dekeman]

Godd to see you're warming up to chrome (er, shiny plastic). But doesn't the 4-cyl version of the US SR5 have black parts?

 

[Quentin]

Simple solution for you and anyone else considering black trim parts: Buy the SR5, then order the various black parts you want from Canada, where SR5 comes without the chrome.

Funny, I like the chrome and prefer the US SR5 look.

If you buy a Blizzard Pearl SR5, I'll hook you up w/ my SR5 parts for yours.*

edit: I just looked at the Toyota.ca site, and it only lists the Blizzard Pearl 4Runner as Limited... no SR5. Weird.

*Pending wife approval, haha.

 

[dos palomas]

Godd to see you're warming up to chrome (er, shiny plastic). But doesn't the 4-cyl version of the US SR5 have black parts?

it does, but obvi not an option bc i want 4WD and (obvi) at least a V6!

 

[dos palomas]

you know, another option of course would be to just order the relevant parts (from either the US 4cyl version or the canadian sr5)... i doubt itd be cheap, but everything would look stock.

 

[harper7]

you know, another option of course would be to just order the relevant parts (from either the US 4cyl version or the canadian sr5)... i doubt itd be cheap, but everything would look stock.

You have to change all the perimeter parts to make it work. That's what I'm doing with TE parts.
Alot of the Beemer guys swore by this Shadowline stuff and it's removable when you want to sell the car.You just have to be good at arts and crafts.
BMW Shadowline Black Window Trim Vinyl

 

[dos palomas]

thanks for the link, that looks promising!