Recommend Accessories for my Blizzard Pearl 5th Gen?!

[swank]

Hey all, need your help and consideration.

I am the proud new parent of a 2011 Blizzard Pearl 5th Gen. Classic Soft Trim tan leather added (with black contrast stitch) and 3rd party sunroof installed also. No 3rd row as I'm a 26 yo male (ie: not a soccer mom), no 4x4 as I live in FL, and no NAV as I already have and use a Garmin and my iPhone.

I have already ordered AVS window deflectors, AVS hood bug/pebble deflector, Weathertech custom-cut floor mats and cargo mat, and Husky mud flaps. The customer service rep at my dealership owes me a favor, so I am planning on getting discounted cargo cover and possibly running boards.. (Pics will come soon I promise).

FYI I also have the stock wheels, and probably won't upgrade those any time soon. And as 99.99999% of this vehicle's life will be on flat road, I doubt a lift will find its way into my budget.. Though I desperately want to separate myself from having a soccer mom look, so any input or ideas are welcome!

I am looking for advice on the following:

1- Should I buy the OEM cross bars or get the Bajarack basket? Can't decide on this one, but as I for-see camping and LOTS of tailgating in my future, I'm leaning toward the basket, but really not excited about the cost!

2- Should I get the OEM running boards, nerf bars, rock sliders? Really not sure what will look best on my BP.. and what will fit best with the mud flaps.

3- I put on heavy highway miles, I am considering paint protection film, though I know little to nothing about it. Is it easy to cut and "install" at home? I am tossing the idea of having my tint shop do it to the front only.

4- Any recs on grill/brush guard or bull bar that look good with the BP paint?

THANKS ALL IN ADVANCE!

 

[Quentin]

Mudflaps and Husky liners are the only thing I really have planned for my BP.

Eventually I'd like to get an aftermarket badgeless grille and mount the FJ-40 Toyota badge in it.

 

[Fuzzylogic]

Hey all, need your help and consideration.

I am the proud new parent of a 2011 Blizzard Pearl 5th Gen. Classic Soft Trim tan leather added (with black contrast stitch) and 3rd party sunroof installed also. No 3rd row as I'm a 26 yo male (ie: not a soccer mom), no 4x4 as I live in FL, and no NAV as I already have and use a Garmin and my iPhone.

I have already ordered AVS window deflectors, AVS hood bug/pebble deflector, Weathertech custom-cut floor mats and cargo mat, and Husky mud flaps. The customer service rep at my dealership owes me a favor, so I am planning on getting discounted cargo cover and possibly running boards.. (Pics will come soon I promise).

FYI I also have the stock wheels, and probably won't upgrade those any time soon. And as 99.99999% of this vehicle's life will be on flat road, I doubt a lift will find its way into my budget.. Though I desperately want to separate myself from having a soccer mom look, so any input or ideas are welcome!

I am looking for advice on the following:

1- Should I buy the OEM cross bars or get the Bajarack basket? Can't decide on this one, but as I for-see camping and LOTS of tailgating in my future, I'm leaning toward the basket, but really not excited about the cost!

2- Should I get the OEM running boards, nerf bars, rock sliders? Really not sure what will look best on my BP.. and what will fit best with the mud flaps.

3- I put on heavy highway miles, I am considering paint protection film, though I know little to nothing about it. Is it easy to cut and "install" at home? I am tossing the idea of having my tint shop do it to the front only.

4- Any recs on grill/brush guard or bull bar that look good with the BP paint?

THANKS ALL IN ADVANCE!

I have some of the same questions and some feedback...

On Q1: I've read the baskets create lots of wind resistance (makes sense...turbulence created by the multiple tubes...acts like a speed brake on a WWII Dauntless dive bomber), hence reduced mph. I'm going to probably buy the stock cross members and a Baja basket that I can clamp on when I need it. I drive a lot of highway miles. So, I don't want anything adding drag that's not being used.

On Q2: I have the stock running boards. They are ok. But, I'm going to probably replace them with something like the N-Fab nerf bars with steps because I will be doing some light off roading and the clearance is an issue for me. I want something there to protect my rocker panels. I launch a flats boat from an unimproved dirt/mud boat ramp. So, I will probably sell my running boards.

On Q3: I have the same question. Lovebug season in Florida SUCKS! You have wash your vehicle every day in May and September. I've been told NOT to install it myself...It's not easy. Since you drive a lot of highway miles, this also effects Q1 above.

On Q4: I'd wait a while. The mod market is still developing products. Good things will come (to those who wait).

On another note...I'm still wrestling with whether to upgrade tires, or just burn the stock Bridgestones off first....

Happy motoring...

M
:welcome:

 

[Ryan_S]

Aftermarket cross bars (Yakima or Thule) might give you more roof rack options (bikes, skis, box, etc). The bajarack is great since it keeps a lower profile, but your stiff is exposed to the rain. It really depends what you plan on putting up there.

 

[philsey]

... but your stiff is exposed to the rain..

I really hate when this happens.

 

[anjungidae]

i got same color BP limited.
mine came with stock running board, crossbar.

imo, stock running board is too narrow.
i'm also want to buy bug, window and sun roof deflectors.
please share where i can purchase them? weathertech seems don't have these in stock.

 

[Snooperstyle]

Hey all, need your help and consideration.

I am the proud new parent of a 2011 Blizzard Pearl 5th Gen. Classic Soft Trim tan leather added (with black contrast stitch) and 3rd party sunroof installed also. No 3rd row as I'm a 26 yo male (ie: not a soccer mom), no 4x4 as I live in FL, and no NAV as I already have and use a Garmin and my iPhone.

I have already ordered AVS window deflectors, AVS hood bug/pebble deflector, Weathertech custom-cut floor mats and cargo mat, and Husky mud flaps. The customer service rep at my dealership owes me a favor, so I am planning on getting discounted cargo cover and possibly running boards.. (Pics will come soon I promise).

FYI I also have the stock wheels, and probably won't upgrade those any time soon. And as 99.99999% of this vehicle's life will be on flat road, I doubt a lift will find its way into my budget.. Though I desperately want to separate myself from having a soccer mom look, so any input or ideas are welcome!

I am looking for advice on the following:

1- Should I buy the OEM cross bars or get the Bajarack basket? Can't decide on this one, but as I for-see camping and LOTS of tailgating in my future, I'm leaning toward the basket, but really not excited about the cost!

2- Should I get the OEM running boards, nerf bars, rock sliders? Really not sure what will look best on my BP.. and what will fit best with the mud flaps.

3- I put on heavy highway miles, I am considering paint protection film, though I know little to nothing about it. Is it easy to cut and "install" at home? I am tossing the idea of having my tint shop do it to the front only.

4- Any recs on grill/brush guard or bull bar that look good with the BP paint?

THANKS ALL IN ADVANCE!

Congrats on your new ride! I sure do get Blizzard Pearl envy sometimes! Those things are just snazzy!

1. Baja rack is really awesome! But here are a few cautions. It is a little tricky to install properly so it won't leak. Baja Rack says they are redesigning the mounts to be more like the stock ones, but I have not heard back from them on that. Mine leaked after first attempt, and I redid one of the mounts and now it is ok, but I don't know how long it will be ok for...makes me nervous. Second, the bars are powder coated and not "wrapped" with rubber/plastic like the Thule or Yak bars. What this means is that you will eventually scratch off the paint, but not until some heavy use. Third, the tubes are not as large in diameter as the Yak tubes, so using Yakima accessories is easier said than done. OK here is the good news. It does not make any noise AT ALL at any speed. I have had a canoe with paddles up there, as well as two different kayaks, and also both of my ladders, among other things, and no noise when loaded either. The way the bars are makes it INCREDIBLY easy to tie stuff down, and is really the main reason I bought it. The frekin thing is ROCK SOLID. It just looks so awesome! People ask me about it regularly, and often they ask me if it is stock. So, that all being said, I HIGHLY recommend the Baja Rack. If you want to get rid of the soccer mom image. Do two things. Get a Baja Rack and get some AT or MT tires. You could go the route that Adio3x went and it looks similar to Baja and is cheaper and still highly functional, and no messing with roof mounts. His is the one on the top of the t4r.org website banner right now and it looks sick.
2. Running boards lower your ground clearance so much, and IMHO, they make your ride look more like soccer mom than not because smaller people (read: women and children) usually need that extra step to get into and out of cars. Mine had them on it stock from the port, and I forced the dealer to remove them and give me remote start in exchange. If you opt for sliders, there are not many options for SR5 or LTD right now that are plug n play...so I would wait on both of those til you really drive it for a while.
3. Do not install it at home. My detail guy down here installs the Xpel stuff. I have seen him do a Corvette and I sure as sh*t couldn't do it on my own! For me, the price is too high to justify it right now too.
4. Don't get a brush guard unless you are going to use it. Again my opinion only. Instead, use the money to upgrade things like your interior (LEDs, aftermarket stereo, or whatever).

Holy carp, I just wrote a book...OK going to hang with the wifey now...

 

[I AM SAM]

Here's my BP. You can see all the crap I've done to it in my signature.

Love Icon suspension
Love Baja Rack
Love Shrockworks sliders
Love Mickey Thompsons
Love XD Hoss wheels
Love Huskey Floor Mats

 

[I AM SAM]

Here's a picture of it stock that I ran into, it made me laugh.

I was running a set of BFG AT and XD spy wheels, it looked really nice but wasn't getting it done when off-roading…..something to think about if you're trying to differentiate yourself from the soccer moms but aren't planning on taking it off road...

 

[Snooperstyle]

Here's a picture of it stock that I ran into, it made me laugh.

I was running a set of BFG AT and XD spy wheels, it looked really nice but wasn't getting it done when off-roading…..something to think about if you're trying to differentiate yourself from the soccer moms but aren't planning on taking it off road...

Sam, in your first pic, the sliders appear to be installed without the stock rocker panels, but in the third pic, they appear to installed UNDER the stock rocker panels. Are there two different brands of sliders in the different pics? Which setup do you have now, and if you did remove your stock rocker panels, how does it look? More pics??? Truck looks sweet in that first pic!

 

[snow&surf]

Here's my BP. You can see all the crap I've done to it in my signature.

Hey Sam, been a while since you've posted. Truck looks good with them new shoes! What did you do with your 20s? I've been considering going down to 18s but I'm hoping I can fit some 35" tires when my current ones are done to give me that extra sidewall and so I don't have to sell my rims. I think 35s on 20s will look good on my truck.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I would put tint at the top of the list.

If you do a lot of highway driving you will see a hit in MPG with the rack.

Do you need running boards to get in? I wouldn't spend the money on them. If anything I would get sliders, which also act as a step.

 

[I AM SAM]

Sam, in your first pic, the sliders appear to be installed without the stock rocker panels, but in the third pic, they appear to installed UNDER the stock rocker panels. Are there two different brands of sliders in the different pics? Which setup do you have now, and if you did remove your stock rocker panels, how does it look? More pics??? Truck looks sweet in that first pic!

Thanks! The first pic is with sliders and no rocker panels, that's the most recent pic. The second pic is with rocker panels and Westin Tube steps, taken quite a while back..…

Hey Sam, been a while since you've posted. Truck looks good with them new shoes! What did you do with your 20s? I've been considering going down to 18s but I'm hoping I can fit some 35" tires when my current ones are done to give me that extra sidewall and so I don't have to sell my rims. I think 35s on 20s will look good on my truck.

What up snow&surf?!?! Yep, still alive. I was glad to get the 20's off and get a little more tire on there. Really like the Mickey Thompsons, the place I got them bought my 20's back from me, I got about $1,400 for trade so at that price it wasn't worth my time to try and sell them myself.

I would put tint at the top of the list.

If you do a lot of highway driving you will see a hit in MPG with the rack.

Do you need running boards to get in? I wouldn't spend the money on them. If anything I would get sliders, which also act as a step.

I wouldn't waste my time with sliders if you're not going to take it off road. Sliders are to protect your truck from body damage and rocks, they really don't add a lot as far as a step goes either. A good set of sliders will cost you $450-$500…..I've got a set of black Westin tube steps I'll sell for $150 + shipping just to get them out of my garage. They are shown on my Runner in the second post, second pic.

If it was mine and I didn't plan on taking it off road but wanted to add some customization to it, I would:

Tint the windows
Buy my tube steps
Buy Husky liners (don't waste your money on the one for the cargo area, it's crap)
Level it, don't lift it
Change out wheels and tires
Black out some chrome and de-badge it

 

[swank]

Thank you all so much for the responses..

Sam especially, what do you mean "level it don't lift it" ?

Also, what chrome have you blacked out? I'm not sure on doing this since it seems like a huge commitment.

Any recommendations on sexy wheels for urban/highway use-age? I'm really into the black wheels you've got...

 

[hamiltonj2w1]

like mine is leveled basicly you just lift the front