What's involved in "re-trimming" a 3rd gen Limited? Is it really even possible?

[turbodb]

What's involved in "re-trimming" a 3rd gen Limited? Is it really even possible?

Hey folks,

I'm not super active here on T4R, being that to this point I've been a 1st gen Tacoma owner (so I'm over here on TW). However, I've finally convinced @mrs.turbodb that our next truck should be a 3rd gen 4Runner so we're on the hunt.

In my area, it seems that the vast majority of 3rd gen runners that show up for sale are of the Limited trim variety. From a feature perspective, that's fine with me - more "power stuff," locking diffs - those things are all good. However...

I really dislike the fender flare, side step, and lower door trim that came on the Limited trim.

How hard is it to:

• Remove (and replace with non-limited) the fender flares?
• Remove the lower door trim (kick panels)

...and of course, I'd remove the step as well; though that seems easy and straight forward.

My main concern is that the trim I want to remove may have corresponding holds in the sheet metal; preventing clean removal.

Thanks for any help!

 

[96RedRunner]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attac...-flare-cladding-removal-re-install-pimpin.jpg

You will have all these holes to contend with.

 

[TonyB66]

Like you, I too want to de-limit the Limited. Even more as I'd prefer crank windows and manually-operated seats, etc... That said, I did already sell the factory leather electric seats. Want to ditch the sun/moonroof too.

As I recall, losing the fender flares and/or side clading will leave square holes that need to get filled. There's a thread or two here as I recall...

 

[Mark_BC]

Why do you dislike the flares so much? I have an SR5 with the little chrome "flares" that did nothing but damage the paint so I took those off and I'm trying to put some Limited flares back on. Otherwise I get too many rocks flying up and dinging the paint since I took the running boards off.

 

[Cree]

The easiest way to do it would be to find the front fenders and doors off of an SR5 and just swap it. You'd still have the rocker trim to deal with but that would eliminate three-quarters of your problem.

 

[T4topher]

Hey folks,

I'm not super active here on T4R, being that to this point I've been a 1st gen Tacoma owner (so I'm over here on TW). However, I've finally convinced @mrs.turbodb that our next truck should be a 3rd gen 4Runner so we're on the hunt.

In my area, it seems that the vast majority of 3rd gen runners that show up for sale are of the Limited trim variety. From a feature perspective, that's fine with me - more "power stuff," locking diffs - those things are all good. However...

I really dislike the fender flare, side step, and lower door trim that came on the Limited trim.

How hard is it to:

• Remove (and replace with non-limited) the fender flares?
• Remove the lower door trim (kick panels)

...and of course, I'd remove the step as well; though that seems easy and straight forward.

My main concern is that the trim I want to remove may have corresponding holds in the sheet metal; preventing clean removal.

Thanks for any help!

Like stated above you’d need to swap fenders/doors with an sr5, I’d imagine the rear would be the hardest part.. Another thing you could do is just paint all the trim black? I’m kind of in the same boat as you, I got a dark green limited with the goldish colored flares/trim.. I don’t really like it but not enough to change it all out lol.

 

[turbodb]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attac...-flare-cladding-removal-re-install-pimpin.jpg

You will have all these holes to contend with.

Like you, I too want to de-limit the Limited. Even more as I'd prefer crank windows and manually-operated seats, etc... That said, I did already sell the factory leather electric seats. Want to ditch the sun/moonroof too.

As I recall, losing the fender flares and/or side clading will leave square holes that need to get filled. There's a thread or two here as I recall...

Why do you dislike the flares so much? I have an SR5 with the little chrome "flares" that did nothing but damage the paint so I took those off and I'm trying to put some Limited flares back on. Otherwise I get too many rocks flying up and dinging the paint since I took the running boards off.

The easiest way to do it would be to find the front fenders and doors off of an SR5 and just swap it. You'd still have the rocker trim to deal with but that would eliminate three-quarters of your problem.

Like stated above you’d need to swap fenders/doors with an sr5, I’d imagine the rear would be the hardest part.. Another thing you could do is just paint all the trim black? I’m kind of in the same boat as you, I got a dark green limited with the goldish colored flares/trim.. I don’t really like it but not enough to change it all out lol.

Yeah, sounds like I had about the right idea - unfortunately! Thanks all. Guess it comes down to the type of deal that pops up - it'll just have to be a great one for me to go with a Limited...

 

[4Runner fun]

Sounds like putting anything you want to do on hold and shop for a clean SPORT, they are out there, but sounds like a ton of work to basically build a truck you can buy.
I'm on 4runner #5 and every one took nearly a year to hunt down.
I use IFTTT.com that alerts me any time a truck that meet my guidelines is posted anywhere in the states.

the truck your driving has no sentimental value does it?

just my thoughts.