I've noticed this on my Runner since I've had it, but finally got around to snapping a pic. I keep forgetting to look on other 4Runners for this, so I don't know if it's just mine.



The best way I can describe it is a patch of some sort over the paint. You can feel the ridge with your finger and there's gunk under the edge that I can't get out. This is a shot of the rear drivers door, but the same exact thing is on the rear passenger side.

Can anyone shed some light on what this could be? Or is it something that everyone but me knows what it is.....?

 

that is called a CMSS.. covert marijuana stash site J/K

 

my 95 has the same... so your third gen and my second gen has it

*shrug* no idea what it is

 

I have it on my 98 too. I always figured it was some sort of plastic film to help protect the bottom of the doors from chips or something.

 

Rocker panel protection plastic. Its just a sticker type decal that the factory puts on that portion of the body to protect from rocks chipping it. You guys were getting there. Many auto makers do this.

 

Thanks for the info, Blue

 

No problem at all! Glad I could help.

 

Yep! If my digital camera was working I'd show you why Toyota switched from snap-on plastic protectors to the stick-on kind. I spent most of today scraping and grinding and brushing the rust that develops underneath them.