What can I do to my leased 4Runner?

[jerseyrunner5]

So I have had the 4Runner for close to two weeks and I already want to do some mods. The problem comes in with the fact that my Runner is leased so I can't do any lifts or anything like that. What are some quick and relatively inexpensive mods to make my Runner more unique. I plan on getting the windows tinted in the next week or so. I will have tinted license plates and besides for that there isn't much else I can think of. I sort of want to put a bulbar in Any recommendations? Thank you guys in advanced.

 

[Engineer]

I would assume you could do anything you wanted (including lift) as long as you returned it to stock for any service/when lease was up. That said, I wouldnt as there is extra $$$ involved in doing that or at least time and there maybe insurance issues etc that I am unaware of in your lease terms about doing modicications. Best to ask the dealership you leased from

 

[Raven]

If, like me, you definitely plan on buying out the lease at the end, then you can probably do whatever you like to the vehicle. Toyota won't know, or care.
If you might be turning the Runner in at the end of the lease, you should probably stick to reversable/removable mods. I removed the running boards, installed sliders, and am planning on a Baja rack. Vent visors and hood deflectors won't matter.
LOL! I remember leasing a new truck, and the very next day I was up on the roof with a grinder and cutoff blade. I cut a nice hole in the new roof and installed an opening vent for the dog, and for camping!

 

[wanderMT]

tinted plates often equals olice:

 

[st8rocks]

tinted plates often equals olice:

Its Jersey... everyone there is violating at least one misdemeanor at any given time.

 

[jerseyrunner5]

I plan on handing the Runner back at the end of the lease just because it has an expensive buyout and would have been cheaper to buy it from the beginning and not lease it. Do you think hood deflectors actually work?

 

[NoDak]

just remember, what ever cost you put into it, you will have to either remove yourself or pay someone to remove those items that were not on the vehicle when you leased it.

its an added cost to buy those items, install them, remove them, and then try to sell them x years later.

it will also vary from dealer to dealer on what they will accept left on a vehicle or need to be taken off.

also look into the fee's for late return on a lease due to you having to take extra time to remove those items past your lease term.

they can get pretty stinking high.

 

[NoDak]

I plan on handing the Runner back at the end of the lease just because it has an expensive buyout and would have been cheaper to buy it from the beginning and not lease it. Do you think hood deflectors actually work?

be careful on the oem ones. if it scratches the paint (like they normally do) you will be on the hook to fix that major issue.

had one on the brand new 12 Tacoma, didn't last 3-4 months before the protective strip started sliding out from under the hood clip that attaches directly to the leading edge of the hood.

 

[Canon_Bob]

Personally I would never mod any leased vehicle. Your lease agreement assuredly has language in it telling you that you can't anyway. The minute you make a change to it beyond "normal" maintenance items like tires, battery, etc. you could be held liable for the cost of restoring it to original AT ANY TIME during that lease agreement. Now, it's "unlikely" that they'd be that anal....but that doesn't mean that can't legally be if they so desire. Definitely better to buy it if you want to mod it.

 

[RESQLAB]

You could get away with Bilstein HD's and also would not have to remove them.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

I once did a 4" Pro Comp drop bracket lift on my leased '99 Tacoma. Of course it meant I had to buy it out after the lease (or sell it) but that really wasn't an issue.

 

[Raven]

I plan on handing the Runner back at the end of the lease just because it has an expensive buyout and would have been cheaper to buy it from the beginning and not lease it. Do you think hood deflectors actually work?

They absolutely 100% protect the hood area under the deflector!
Seriously, they are probably only minimally effective. Any bugs that are smeared on the deflector certainly didn't make it to the windshield, but I seriously doubt it will deflect stones, unless they hit the deflector itself.
On a related note, anyone know what is the last thing that goes through a bug's mind, when it hits your windshield at 70 mph?

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

They're arse!!! LOL! Old, but still funny!

As for mods, you can mount an air freshener to the dashboard!:whoo:

I have never understood the reasoning behind leasing a vehicle, except for the fact that you never have to worry about being stuck with a vehicle for more than a few years, and in most cases, all maintenance and service is free (so long as you didn't cause the issue, of course).

Aside from a slightly lower out-of-pocket cost, you have no equity in the vehicle, and if you plan on being out of it in 2 years, a Toyota holds so much value that you could recoup more money buying then selling rather than leasing and returning it.

Of course, if you have a shady business and want to have absolutely no liability, that would be another good reason for leasing.

Not bashin' on ya for leasing, everyone has their own reasons, I'm just saying that, at least in my eyes, leasing doesn't seem to be worth any money saved.

 

[Sputnik]

Why would you mod something you don't own?

 

[macgyver_ga]

They're arse!!! LOL! Old, but still funny!

As for mods, you can mount an air freshener to the dashboard!:whoo:

I have never understood the reasoning behind leasing a vehicle, except for the fact that you never have to worry about being stuck with a vehicle for more than a few years, and in most cases, all maintenance and service is free (so long as you didn't cause the issue, of course).

Aside from a slightly lower out-of-pocket cost, you have no equity in the vehicle, and if you plan on being out of it in 2 years, a Toyota holds so much value that you could recoup more money buying then selling rather than leasing and returning it.

Of course, if you have a shady business and want to have absolutely no liability, that would be another good reason for leasing.

Not bashin' on ya for leasing, everyone has their own reasons, I'm just saying that, at least in my eyes, leasing doesn't seem to be worth any money saved.

Agreed. Leasing is a terrible financial decision except in certain circumstances (fleet vehicles). At the same time, so is buying a new car every couple of years. Especially with Toyotas where long term reliability & resale value is high you don't really need to dump a vehicle every few years. In most circumstances when you buy out the vehicle, you end up paying way more for the vehicle over time than you would have if you just financed it at a mediocre interest rate. But to each their own, everyone has reasons for decisions they make.

OP, Obviously, read the terms of your lease. I would stick to mods that are easily reversible. I would think that wheels & tires for example would be fine because that's easily reversed in about 15 minutes. You can even do a lift, however I would probably buy an extra set of top-hats for the shocks that way you can swap your OEM shocks/springs back in easily. The other issues is that typically people will lift a vehicle to be able to add bigger tires which often leads to trimming things in the fender well.

 

[ic0517]

I'm one of those pricks that walks into the dealership with my check book and buys the car. You certainly get their attention that way.

Last time I saw something about leasing, it had some clause that I was held responsible for the resale value of the car, even if it was in perfect condition. That is, say there was some major defect (stuck accelerator ) say, and all the model year was selling lower, I had to pay for that. Or so it seemed, my mind said screw this, I am not even going bother figuring it out. WTF is the point of leasing then?

 

[Mistaken]

Buy it!

 

[BettysNephew]

Put fuel in it and drive it. I don't know about NJ laws but where I live, tinted front side windows and tinted plates will get you pulled over rapidly and if your window isn't rolled down possibly a pistol pointed at you by Officer Friendly. If the windows are too dark, the car is towed and not back on the road until the tint is removed. You take a cab ride home and get to pay for wrecker call and storage unless you remove the tint on the spot. It happened to an acquaintance of mine a couple of years back. But then again, he is generally a butt and may have antagonized the policeman.

 

[cjacob316]

I would probably lease a Camry for a few reasons. Lease payment is significantly lower than a loan payment, never have to buy tires, only have to do two oil changes as per Toyota's scheduled maintenance, you will never have to pay for a repair on a less than 2 year old Camry, and according to my local dealer, Toyota plans to refresh/redesign the Camry every 3 years. In that case a lease makes sense to me especially if you take what you would save in payments on a 72 month loan and put it away to buy a car outright later on. Right now technology is moving fast and cars become outdated as quickly as phones and computers, especially with the push for alternative fuel and the possibility for all our vehicles to even be illegal/unfuelable (not a real word) in the future.

 

[Matt007b]

last time I talked to a car salesman - he was telling me about how wonderful and cheap car leases are and how'd I'd save money and how it's so awesome to have the option to buy the car when the lease is up it's all mine! (course I've heard nightmares having to pay more than the car is worth and the dealership basically uses the car as leverage if you want it so you HAVE to pay a high price to get it back sort of garbage)


Then I told him I bought my current car with cash and haven't had a car payment for 15 years and how I was planning on doing the same thing..and he shut up pretty quick.

To the original poster - I'd be pretty clear on your lease deal or just BUY the car now if you plan on modding it- pretty risky to mod a car you don't own. Lose a job or health problem comes up you could be in a bad jam but good luck if you do! Maybe inquire about your lease so you can switch to a buyout situation and then mod worry free? :rockon: