I know there are a few of us who got the 4runner with the caldding before toyota screwed us in the a$$ with the appearance package however i was wondering if there are other aftermarket companies that make body kits for the 4runner?

I would imagine that this would be good for them since almost all existing cladding owners would jump on the chance to make it look better.

 

Sorry, but I wouldn't hold my breath for the aftermarket to step in. Toyota responded very quickly with the Appearance Package. About 4-5 months production with the base SR cladding went out and those were about 35% of production. Toyota ramped up from 5K/month to now 7K/month heading to 10K/month total US 4Runner production, be generous and say 30K '03 Runners out there, maybe 15K SR5's. How many of them even want to change? It wouldn't be economical for the typically small aftermarket fabricators to tool up for a one-shot small market like this. If anyone does take it on, and there will be some coming in from somewhere, check the quality before buying. My 2¢ only.

 

I have a gray 03 4Runner and I like the panels and would not change them......To me it looks better than just one color....plus I like it for Door dents and rock chips from the front...

Just my two cents.....

 

The cladding prevents paint chips and make it much easier and faster to wax your rig (no kneeling down or bending over).

 

As long as it is color matched, I don't have a problem at all with the cladding.

I wax mine though.

 

If it's color matched "Painted" will it still chip??

 

My understanding is yes, the cladding will chip if painted. Was told that it's a special polymer that has a hard time with paint -- that's why it was all gray.

It actually looks good with some colors on the truck, others it's a mismatch. My wife likes the gray on the titanium -- and as I learned when we built our first house, she knows a lot more about colors than I do.

 

How about the Front and Rear Bumper? Is that made from the same material as the side cladding?

 

Can't be sure, but I think so. It looks and feels the same.

 

Well, I'm happy my 4runner has the cladding.

My last 2 offroading trips has resulted in some damage to the cladding. I know that if I didn't have the cladding, the body would have definitely been damaged and would have been in the shop for sure.

I gotta say those cladding does take one good licking... I slid off a rock at a wrong angle and just scraped the entire passenger side and thought I really messed up! but when I got out to check, all I saw was some scrapes as if someone got some sandpaper and just ground out the sides... not bad yey yey! (that def would have been ugly if it was sheet metal). well I do have some perm damage as some of the clips are broken but ehe... it's fine w/ me..

The cladding eats up the shrubs like nothing too!! No worries to paint as the cladding does come up pretty high...

I guess if your 4runner is a rig that you won't take offroad then the AP package is a must, but if you're planning to take it out on the dirt, be happy w/ the cladding..

Makes it easier to wash too!!!

Lance

 

I live in the middle of a huge city. The closest i come to offroading is the 405 freeway during rush hour.

 

hahaha yeah the 405 SUX!!!

you should come down the san diego to offroad w/ a bunch of fellas.. yeah the drive down is a bi@tch but it's well worth it

Upcoming trail runs:

Mar 30 (sunday) - Southern Orange County trails, somewhere off ortega hwy.. not sure exactly

April 13 (sun) - Alpine, CA (way out close to mexico's border on the 8 freeway...)

If ya want to join us, let me know so I can add ya to the list of members going

Lance

 

Sounds like fun but i bought a 2x4. This is my 1st truck of any kind. Always thought the 4runners looked awesome but could never cross the line in getting a truck. Here is my family history....

91 CRX Si
95 Intergra
97 Eclipse GST
00 Prelude Si
01 Civic Si
03 4runner

I can only say that im in love with the 4runner....just unhappy with buyers remorse due to the appearance package.

 

Felt the same way when reading about the appearance package...If only I visited the YotaTech forum before the purchase. Just think of it as a collector’s item.

Love the 4runner...and the cladding.