Wood Dash Trim

[PLDXSR5]

The wood dash trim in my 4runner is faded and now starting to separate.

I prefer a trim over nothing, as the interior looks very basic and cheap without one.

Very little is said about the dash trim in the 4runner and would like some input and possible suggestions.

In all likelihood, I will be removing the trim, but would like to see (pictures would be great) what others have done to their interiors.

 

[TheDurk]

The wood dash trim in my 4runner is faded and now starting to separate.I prefer a trim over nothing, as the interior looks very basic and cheap without one.

Very little is said about the dash trim in the 4runner and would like some input and possible suggestions.

In all likelihood, I will be removing the trim, but would like to see (pictures would be great) what others have done to their interiors.

You know, it IS possible to refinish that stock wood trim, and leave it looking nicer than it came from the factory.

First step is to completely separate and throw away that nasty heavy plastic overlay. Heat gun or soaking in water both work.

Then lightly sand the thin wood veneer until, the color is gone and it is nice and smooth.

Grab the MinWax Stain of the color of your choice and follow the directions on the can. Then topcoat with several coats of MinWax PolyUrethane, again following the directions on the can.

I'll tack some pics of the final result on here when I find them.

 

[Mc1337sauce]

This is mine after converting from black SR5 trim to Limited woodgrain all around. Took a month and a couple hundred dollars to source all of the pieces - the radio surround and window switches were a package deal from a 97, the shifter surround from a 99, and the cluster and ignition surrounds from a 2000. 01-02 woodgrain is darker so you can't mix and match with those years, and the SR5 stick on woodgrain that you have is completely different from what came in the Limited trucks.

You can also just swap to the black plastic trim if you prefer not to have any woodgrain, both types of trim can be sourced through eBay and forum part outs.

Peeling the stick on trim is possible, but personally I'd rather buy a new (used mint condition) set of trim.

Hope that helps, if you have any questions just ask.

 

[Hesk11dog]

in the process of taking my crap wood trim off. Thought about redoing as [MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION] mentioned, but am liking the black look more and more as it comes off. Some pieces are hard to get off and if you are going to reuse them, TAKE YOUR TIME. :sad: I wait for a hot day and close up the windows and let it bake in the sun then peel it off. I have about half off now. Blow dryer works just as well but you have to wait for it to heat up. Started using some goo-gone for the adhesive. There are sites to buy new kits if you want, think most use some sort of double sided tape. Just do some google searching.

 

[bullseye]

I thought I had read somewhere that the wood that came on the limited was real. It sounds like it's not now.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I thought I had read somewhere that the wood that came on the limited was real. It sounds like it's not now.

It isn't, but those pieces on Ebay are fetching a pretty penny at the moment.

The wood trim pieces in my 92 Acura Vigor were real veneer. I miss that car.

 

[kolelt]

You could hydro dip it and clear coat it. It is basically what OEM is

 

[treverd]

Trim look great. Never like the sliver sport trim.

 

[PLDXSR5]

[MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION] Thats sharp looking! Unfortunately, I have areas, especially the center trim, thats missing wood. Or else I would have tried your method.
[MENTION=86041]Mc1337sauce[/MENTION] You mentioned a black plastic trim. Is that simply the trim behind the wood once you remove it? Sweet interior BTW.

 

[Mc1337sauce]

[MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION] Thats sharp looking! Unfortunately, I have areas, especially the center trim, thats missing wood. Or else I would have tried your method.

[MENTION=86041]Mc1337sauce[/MENTION] You mentioned a black plastic trim. Is that simply the trim behind the wood once you remove it? Sweet interior BTW.

Yep, the wood you have is stuck onto the black plastic trim. Not sure how feasible it is to remove it without damaging the trim underneath...I'm sure a respray of the plastic trim would be in order after completing that process, but that would definitely be a less expensive proposition compared to buying a full set of used plastic trim. If you go that route you can always spray the trim a custom color as well, which would definitely set your truck apart from others - piano black might look good, or color matching to your truck if it is a darker color.

 

[PLDXSR5]

Can someone provide a link or guide me on removing the center trim from the vehicle so I can take it inside the house? Also the trim that runs along the cluster near the steering wheel.

Thanks.

 

[Scramble]

You know, it IS possible to refinish that stock wood trim, and leave it looking nicer than it came from the factory.

First step is to completely separate and throw away that nasty heavy plastic overlay. Heat gun or soaking in water both work.

Then lightly sand the thin wood veneer until, the color is gone and it is nice and smooth.

Grab the MinWax Stain of the color of your choice and follow the directions on the can. Then topcoat with several coats of MinWax PolyUrethane, again following the directions on the can.

I'll tack some pics of the final result on here when I find them.

That's my plan, I've been peeling off the clear plastic for years. I dont want to force off the plastic that's still nice. I still haven't decided on a stain color but I'm leaning towards Black & either a matte or gloss outdoor polyurethane. If you dont get an outdoor poly it will fade & turn yellow from the sun.

 

[MONTYMTB]

Can someone provide a link or guide me on removing the center trim from the vehicle so I can take it inside the house? Also the trim that runs along the cluster near the steering wheel.

Thanks.

This is a thread about replacing bulbs, but shows how to remove the trim:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/132012-write-up-climate-control-dash-bulbs-2000-limited.html

 

[soupkitchen]

pulled off all the wood in my wifes years ago and put the carbon fiber trim kit they sale at various places on...looks great and has held up very well.

we used a kit like this...the trim is very thick and 3m backed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-Toyota...ash=item5d619f2706:g:YnQAAOSwB4NWu-VD&vxp=mtr

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

Any chance anyone would be interested in a one off wood dash trim that is in my current 4runner? I really like the way it looks but it doesn't go with my moon mist interior. Here is what it looks like.

 

[Freb_mc]

Whats up with the one off? Is it custom?
An option I am looking into for another project, because I really am not a fan of most wood grains, Hydro-dipping. I found someone that can hydro dip a black/grey wood grain, I think he called it "drift wood". I think it will go much better with the black leather in my other ride. It looks like this. https://www.amazon.com/Hydrographic...dp/B00L6WAUOW?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

Whats up with the one off? Is it custom?
An option I am looking into for another project, because I really am not a fan of most wood grains, Hydro-dipping. I found someone that can hydro dip a black/grey wood grain, I think he called it "drift wood". I think it will go much better with the black leather in my other ride. It looks like this. https://www.amazon.com/Hydrographic...dp/B00L6WAUOW?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Mines actually hydro dipped that the previous owner had done.

 

[smithbg]

You know, it IS possible to refinish that stock wood trim, and leave it looking nicer than it came from the factory.

First step is to completely separate and throw away that nasty heavy plastic overlay. Heat gun or soaking in water both work.

Then lightly sand the thin wood veneer until, the color is gone and it is nice and smooth.

Grab the MinWax Stain of the color of your choice and follow the directions on the can. Then topcoat with several coats of MinWax PolyUrethane, again following the directions on the can.

I'll tack some pics of the final result on here when I find them.

The plastic overlying the woodgrain trim on my '99 has been slowly fading/separating over the years, and I've finally decided to take if off and re-stain the wood. I can take out most of the trim pieces to do the sanding/staining/sealing in the garage, but a few areas seem to just be stuck directly onto the dash, like the trim around the side air vents.

Did you refinish those pieces, too? And if so, did you just do the work in the vehicle or is there a better way?

 

[TheDurk]

The plastic overlying the woodgrain trim on my '99 has been slowly fading/separating over the years, and I've finally decided to take if off and re-stain the wood. I can take out most of the trim pieces to do the sanding/staining/sealing in the garage, but a few areas seem to just be stuck directly onto the dash, like the trim around the side air vents.

Did you refinish those pieces, too? And if so, did you just do the work in the vehicle or is there a better way?

No, they weren't too bad, so I just left them.

 

[smithbg]

No, they weren't too bad, so I just left them.

Gotcha. I know it was a long time ago, but thanks for sharing this. I had no idea it was real wood veneer under there. And you’re right, the pieces I’ve done so far look better than the original.