Salsa Red Pearl

[westwind77]

Just a black rubber type side molding picked up and installed at a local custom shop. Something I do with all my rigs if they don't already come with something like that from the factory. Saves a lot of door dings in the future.

That molding seem a little high to me?! It might protect you against another 4R but have you tried it next to a 'car'? Most of the door dings I have gotten on my past suv's have always been a lot lower than that.

Is there anyway you could have the molding painted to match the 4R, even if not, something close?

 

[fxoffroad]

Painted might not be so bad... but this looks fugly with the black molding.

That molding seem a little high to me?! It might protect you against another 4R but have you tried it next to a 'car'? Most of the door dings I have gotten on my past suv's have always been a lot lower than that.

Is there anyway you could have the molding painted to match the 4R, even if not, something close?

 

[McGruder]

I kinda agree with going body color on the lower trim. I don't think the black trim looks bad, but I think you have to go after more of the chrome (like the door handles for example) for it to really look "right". I'd leave the floorboards alone, no matter what you do to all of the trim.

 

[shawn719]

Painted might not be so bad... but this looks fugly with the black molding.

Yeah, looks kinda weird, kinda like it was packed that way for delivery but the bumpers were never removed. I think painted would look a whole lot better.

 

[Jtraskell]

i don't see the "massive name plate" you mention but most of those dealer badges peel right off. maybe hit it with a hairdryer to soften the adhesive if necessary.

Its the tail gate badge. Already took off the big "4 RUNNER' lettering on the plate , but the "backing" (Plate) the lettering was on is still too much by itself. I will figure out a change soon.

 

[Jtraskell]

Painted might not be so bad... but this looks fugly with the black molding.

Not sure what "fugly" means, but I am sure it is not good. I don't necessarily disagree. To be honest, when it was first installed, I too had some misgivings. But, it did grow on me in a couple of ways. First, it is different. Not doubt about that. Next, almost all body side moldings factory installed are somewhat lower on the doors, for the reasons I think others were expressing there concerns, impact by car doors vs. suv's or trucks.

But when you examine other SUV's or Trucks like I have due to my job, the door dings are usually higher up on the door. AT THE APEX OF THE DOOR CURVE. If you think about it, it kinda makes sense. Most vehicles these days are taller. The door impact to another vehicle is going to be higher up.

I placed the side moldings at the apex of the curve of the T4R door. To that end, I placed the rubber baby buggy bumper in the most logical place for the kind of vehicles I am most likely going to be parking next too. Good, bad or indifferent, so far, no door dings and I got something just a bit different then others. Life is good!

 

[Jtraskell]

I kinda agree with going body color on the lower trim. I don't think the black trim looks bad, but I think you have to go after more of the chrome (like the door handles for example) for it to really look "right". I'd leave the floorboards alone, no matter what you do to all of the trim.

Thanks for your input. After I posted my original answer to you, I took a closer look at the lower chrome trim near the sile plate vs. the chrome on the running board. The running board chrome is wrapped around the bottom of the running board and it terminates past the end caps. The end caps are glued on over the Chrome strip. Thus, trying to remove the chrome would be almost impossible. Yes, I think it can be painted over, but it would be more of a hassle. The chrome strip at the sile plate is a trim piece that looks like it is somewhat more easily removable, I hope. Therefore, it should be more easily be repainted or replaced. I think this is the way I will go. It will give more separation between chrome and black, which I think will look better. I hope.

 

[doodman]

i don't see the "massive name plate" you mention but most of those dealer badges peel right off. maybe hit it with a hairdryer to soften the adhesive if necessary.

I think he's referring to the "massive" name plate that says "4Runner" just below the hatch glass.

Also, thinking of doing something with the massive name plate on the cargo door. Already debadged it, but whats left is almost worse! Any idea of how to remove it. I think once removed, I will bring it to a custom paint shop and brainstorm as to what I want to do with it.

I say get it flat blacked out. That's what I plan to do w/ ALL the chrome on my truck.

 

[fxoffroad]

Ya gotta do what's right for you, absolutely.

Placing the moldings @ the "apex of the door panel curve is really only going to protect other vehicles when you open your door. As such, I would of done door edge guards. For cars, the molding might have been better positioned lower... but again - whatever works for you, works. My Outback has color-keyed side moldings on the doors... but nevertheless, there are dings from other vehicles.

As for fugly... its really a polite expression... a combination of a four letter word, beginning with an F, ending w/ an "ing" and the word ugly.

But opinions are like ______, everyone's got one. For me... the less cluttered the body is, the better... like I really dig removing the SR5 or Limited badge on the side of the vehicle.

eace:

Not sure what "fugly" means, but I am sure it is not good. I don't necessarily disagree. To be honest, when it was first installed, I too had some misgivings. But, it did grow on me in a couple of ways ...
...I placed the side moldings at the apex of the curve of the T4R door. To that end, I placed the rubber baby buggy bumper in the most logical place for the kind of vehicles I am most likely going to be parking next too. Good, bad or indifferent, so far, no door dings and I got something just a bit different then others. Life is good!

 

[SeattleMike]

Thanks for your input. After I posted my original answer to you, I took a closer look at the lower chrome trim near the sile plate vs. the chrome on the running board. The running board chrome is wrapped around the bottom of the running board and it terminates past the end caps. The end caps are glued on over the Chrome strip. Thus, trying to remove the chrome would be almost impossible. Yes, I think it can be painted over, but it would be more of a hassle. The chrome strip at the sile plate is a trim piece that looks like it is somewhat more easily removable, I hope. Therefore, it should be more easily be repainted or replaced. I think this is the way I will go. It will give more separation between chrome and black, which I think will look better. I hope.

I played with one of your pics and replaced the chrome with a hasty photo chop, replacing the chrome with body-colored pieces.

I like the side molding placement, aligns nicely with the top of the fender flares. I might play with the look when I get my TE.

 

[gmillerok1]

Actually, better in person.

Does it look this good in person or just good pictures?

 

[Jtraskell]

Ya gotta do what's right for you, absolutely.

Placing the moldings @ the "apex of the door panel curve is really only going to protect other vehicles when you open your door. As such, I would of done door edge guards. For cars, the molding might have been better positioned lower... but again - whatever works for you, works. My Outback has color-keyed side moldings on the doors... but nevertheless, there are dings from other vehicles.

As for fugly... its really a polite expression... a combination of a four letter word, beginning with an F, ending w/ an "ing" and the word ugly.

But opinions are like ______, everyone's got one. For me... the less cluttered the body is, the better... like I really dig removing the SR5 or Limited badge on the side of the vehicle.

eace:

Thanks for the input. Yea, I got a good laugh about 10 min after I posted my response when it dawned on me what fugly actually meant. Felt like an idiot, but, sometimes you are what you feel! Thanks again.

 

[Jtraskell]

I played with one of your pics and replaced the chrome with a hasty photo chop, replacing the chrome with body-colored pieces.

I like the side molding placement, aligns nicely with the top of the fender flares. I might play with the look when I get my TE.

Wow, thanks SeattleMike. It does look better. I got get me one of those photo shop programs! Very kind of you. And, it does look a lot better with less chrome.