Updating (2010-13) Trail trim pieces from gray to painted

[sm4r]

I’m coming up on 10 years with my Trail! I was going to upgrade to something new but realized I’d never get the value out of it. I’d spend WAY more buying something new and the truck is worth more to me than the $20K (or so) I’d get selling it. It’s also really not that different from the 4Runners Toyota sells today.

Problem is, I really like cars. If I don’t spend some money on the 4Runner, I’m going to constantly think about buying something else. If I put some money into updates, I’m hoping it’ll satiate my need for something new... at least for a couple years.

Solution = Update the 4Runner

I’m about to upgrade to the TRD Pro Wheels and Fox Suspension (and get the full 100K mile service). I’m also replacing the drivers seat cushion and all the rubber on the window eaves(?) outside the car, which have started to deteriorate.

Toyota’s paint is notoriously terrible, particularly the single stage black paint. I’m going to do a full re-spray on the front bumper, hood, and fenders. The back bumper also has a couple of scratches, so I’m throwing that in for good measure.

I also want to update all the gray plastic trim pieces to the new painted versions. They’ve all faded to a light shade of gray and no amount of chemicals or dies are going to bring them back from the dead. It’ll become even more noticeable once I get the paint work done.

This is become a much bigger project than I realized. The existing trim pieces have a texture and cannot be painted. The older trim pieces (10-13) also have a slightly different design, so a lot of the underlying components will also need to be replaced. More significantly, both the front and rear bumpers will need to be replaced as they’re covered in the gray trim as well.

The rear bumper is an easy plug-and-play from an existing 4Runner Pro but they’ve obviously completely updated the front-ends starting in 2014.

For the front bumper, I’m looking to source either a Canadian market bumper cover or a bumper cover from a 2010 4-cylinder 4Runner. Both of these front bumpers use the same Trail design but are 100% painted (i.e. no gray trim and added bumper fascia).

This was a super long way to ask – Has anyone attempted to do this before?

I’ll report back on progress either way. If nothing else, it should turn into a fun build project.

 

[Bill Z]

I’m coming up on 10 years with my Trail! I was going to upgrade to something new but realized I’d never get the value out of it. I’d spend WAY more buying something new and the truck is worth more to me than the $20K (or so) I’d get selling it. It’s also really not that different from the 4Runners Toyota sells today.

Problem is, I really like cars. If I don’t spend some money on the 4Runner, I’m going to constantly think about buying something else. If I put some money into updates, I’m hoping it’ll satiate my need for something new... at least for a couple years.

Solution = Update the 4Runner

I’m about to upgrade to the TRD Pro Wheels and Fox Suspension (and get the full 100K mile service). I’m also replacing the drivers seat cushion and all the rubber on the window eaves(?) outside the car, which have started to deteriorate.

Toyota’s paint is notoriously terrible, particularly the single stage black paint. I’m going to do a full re-spray on the front bumper, hood, and fenders. The back bumper also has a couple of scratches, so I’m throwing that in for good measure.

I also want to update all the gray plastic trim pieces to the new painted versions. They’ve all faded to a light shade of gray and no amount of chemicals or dies are going to bring them back from the dead. It’ll become even more noticeable once I get the paint work done.

This is become a much bigger project than I realized. The existing trim pieces have a texture and cannot be painted. The older trim pieces (10-13) also have a slightly different design, so a lot of the underlying components will also need to be replaced. More significantly, both the front and rear bumpers will need to be replaced as they’re covered in the gray trim as well.

The rear bumper is an easy plug-and-play from an existing 4Runner Pro but they’ve obviously completely updated the front-ends starting in 2014.

For the front bumper, I’m looking to source either a Canadian market bumper cover or a bumper cover from a 2010 4-cylinder 4Runner. Both of these front bumpers use the same Trail design but are 100% painted (i.e. no gray trim and added bumper fascia).

This was a super long way to ask – Has anyone attempted to do this before?

I’ll report back on progress either way. If nothing else, it should turn into a fun build project.

It's funny - Many people with 2010 -13 SR5's tried to ADD the TE black trim to their rigs to emulate the Trail Edition look.

Have you tried to refurbish the black trim? I had to replace a bit of the rear fender well molding last spring and the rest of the trim was a bit dingy compared to the new piece. I just detailed the rest of the trim with Meguiars Ultimate Black Trim Restorer and it's held up well for the past 6 months. There are other better options including die kits, heat etc.

Another thing to consider.... Early 5th Gen Trail Edition 4runners are pretty rare - I did a cross country check a few weeks ago on Auto Trader and could only find two nationwide. By painting or replacing your trim you may actually be hurting the value of your unicorn.

 

[4Rums]

I would keep the early TE look. Here's a thread on how to convert the SR5/Limited to the early TE look with all the part prices and pictures of each. Should give you an idea of how much it would cost to replace the "black" trim parts if you think they are too far gone.

TE Parts Needed to Convert SR5/Limited Exterior

 

[sm4r]

I would keep the early TE look. Here's a thread on how to convert the SR5/Limited to the early TE look with all the part prices and pictures of each. Should give you an idea of how much it would cost to replace the "black" trim parts if you think they are too far gone.

TE Parts Needed to Convert SR5/Limited Exterior

I remember this build. Thanks for dusting it off!

This is partially what is scaring me away from taking on this project. I’m inevitably going to miss a few parts here and there, which is going to mean making multiple orders. With COVID, lead times for parts seem to be getting worse these days. I don’t want this to take several months.

I agree the early Trails are super rare. I could always retain the parts but that would be a huge pain in the butt. Realistically, if I decide to do this project, I’d easily keep it for another 100K miles anyway. I doubt I’d see any value at 200K total miles.

Hmmm... decisions, decisions. You guys were supposed to talk me into this project!

 

[progress4m]

To OP: I would not paint plastic trim and tried to restore it… keep that Trail unique and original- they do not make them any more… maybe 6 gen will bring it back… LOL

Just FYI: black trim on my 2013 Trail looks almost new- it has some scratches but they are minor – if they would be originally pained they would look like crap by now…

And If they are too far gone and restoration is not an option, I would do rhino liner\Linex or similar product- in the color of your choice.

 

[AggieOE]

I kid you not, I'd rather swap out all the 2015 painted features for the 2013 TE features. I love the classing 4Runner style front bumper with the amber running lights at the bottom. The whole look screams 4Runner. The new ones (like what I have) look cool but I think are lacking the classic styling.

I'm also not the biggest fan of painting the fender flares to black on the new ones either. It only looks right with the matching front and rear bumper like the 13TEs. Otherwise it can look like someone got bored with spray paint. lol

 

[<<<<]

Im keeping mine unpainted. It looks unique and Changing it is a breeze. I had to replace splash rear guard piece and bumper insert which matched up with original panels perfectly. No worries about painting and color matching. It is a practical Trail ready set up.

 

[JMZ400]

I'm in the same boat with the faded plastic. I'll be using the SEM Black Trim paint from SEM products. I used it two years ago on all the trim on my old 91 Honda with excellent results. It's more of a dye than a paint. I painted window trim to flexible mudflaps

Sent from my SM-A205U using Tapatalk

 

[JeuTheIdit]

Do what I am working on currently and bed line all the TE trim pieces :laugh:

 

[sm4r]

Thanks everyone.

Just to be clear, I was NOT planning to paint the original trail trim pieces. I was going to replace them with the newer style trim pieces (2014+) that are designed to be painted. Just painting the original trim would have looked super janky.

I was also going to remove the gray plastic trim from the front bumper by swapping to the Canadian market bumper, which looks the same as the 2010 4-cylinder bumper (can’t imagine many of those were sold; I’ve only seen one).

That bumper design only uses the gray plastic on the sides. Here’s a good example: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/atta...can-you-order-canadian-running-boards-sr5-jpg

With all that said, I’ve decided just to keep the original Trail look. It was going to be more complicated than I realized and not worth the effort / money.

 

[1000MPH]

Have you guys tried Rustoleum Wipe New for the black parts? I’m lucky mine still looks pretty good. Nice to have a garage.

 

[redshift83]

I apologize for changing the subject here but I am interested in the cushion refresh you listed in your original post. The one in my '10 Trail is flattened and the upholstery is wearing and ripped slightly on a seam. Ive looked for replacements on Toyota's parts catalog but im not sure which upholstery style is correct. Have you looked into this yet?