I'm sure we all know how the plastic trim on most vehicles can deteriorate over time. UV rays, misapplied car wax, harsh weather can all cause it to fade in color and look horrible. Naturally taking care of the vehicle and putting protectants like Armor All on it can help, but after 100,00+ miles even the best kept vehicles show their age.
I'm just curious how well we might expect the grey cladding on the new 4Runners to withstand the elements? It makes up a large portion of the body on the SR5 & Sport models, so to have it start to fade or crack over time would be much more significant than say a small trim piece on other vehicles.
I have my heart set on a Sport model right now since the price of admission for a Limited is a bit out of reach, so I'm curious what everyone's thoughts are about this
Thanks!
-Scott

 

Why don't you get a Sport model without the cladding for an extra $370 and not worry about it? Looks 500 times better anyway.

 

2003 Sport without the body cladding? When did they start offering that option? I've been led to believe that only the Limiteds are available with painted bumpers/sides.

 

I believe as of all January production models, there is an "Appearance Package" option which is exactly what this entails.

 

oh well in that case, it's not that bad, they should offer it for the SR5 too, my friend just got her's it's light blue nice, I rode in it last night, the ride does seem a little bit smoother, but only time will tell, she was driving a little slower than I do. I just wish I could rip out her center console and switch ours, but the 03 console probably wouldn't fit in my 02, it looks too big

 

I was at the dealer on Monday(hey...oil/filter and new wiper blades for $18.95. Couldn't pass that up) Anyway, I spoke with several salesmen and service writers and they all said people coming in like all the new features on the '03 but can't stand the look. Especially the cladding. They also said that the cladding in the AZ summers takes a beating. I looked around the lot and found that the Rav 4 and Tacomas now come with the hood scoop as an option. And the Taco has the same style aluminum skid plate that was offered on the '02 Runner Sport Ed.

Paul :fireman:

 

I've read that the appearance package will only apply to the SR5 model and not for the Sport.

This is from Dianne at Carson Toyota (calif)

This package begins with January production, meaning Feb/early March arrivals. It will include the following:

Color-Keyed overfenders
Color-Keyed Front and rear bumpers
Color-keyed cladding
Color-keyed REAR License plate garnish
Fog Lamps

It is an SR5 Appearance Package, so the SR5's in both V6 and V8 (and not Sport models) will get these things as available. The colors this package is available on are:

Titanium with either stone or taupe cloth
Galactic Gray with either stone or taupe cloth
Black with either stone or taupe cloth
Dorado Gold with taupe cloth
Stratosphere Mica with either stone or taupe cloth

That's all that I know, right now, about this "AP" package.

Dianne

I hope this clears some of this up!

Lance

 

So if there changing the way the SR5 is, what will be different between SR5 and Limted?

X-Ras on SR5 (Or whatever)
Leather
Wood trim
Stereo?

What esle?

If thats it the price difference would justify leather/wood..

Chris

 

SR5 doesn't have:
X-Reas System
17" Rims ( i think larger brakes too)
Heated front seats
leather steering and seats
double deck cargo system w/ net
homelink system
115v ac power outloet
auto dimming electronic mirror w/ compas
heated power outside mirrors
dual zone auto a/c
silver painted bumper accents and roof rails
silver painted illunmiated running boards

options for the rear high control air suspension
auto crap

yeah i still got my sr5. didn't want the xreas nor the 17" or the running boards... tried to keep it as basic as possible...

lance

 

I don't really mind the way the cladding looks, I want my 4Runner to be Galactic Grey, and the cladding goes well with this color IMO. My main concern is simply how durable it is against the elements.
I'll have to go find some older Chevy Avalanche's and Pontiac Aztecs and see how their bodywork is holding up since they have similar styling.
Thanks a lot for all the info, much appreciated!

 

The body cladding IMHO is obnoxious partly b/c the SR5s are two-toned. A guy in my office complex has a black 2003 SR5 V8 that has grey body cladding. He thinks its great but I think its crappy.

I work right next to Longo Toyota so I checked out some Limiteds w/ matching body cladidng and those look soooooooo much better. Maybe that is why they are only on the Ltds as an incentive to buy them. Well not the only reason but one of them. Who knows.

In anycase, if they do come out w/ the "Non-obnoxious Body Cladding Matching Paint" option, I'm sure it'll help sales. If I were in the market, that would sway me to buy yet another 4runner.

Bob