Had the first really nice weekend in the Pacific Northwest so I decided that it would be a good idea to check out some of the local wrecking yards now that they are starting to dry out a bit. Had a couple of really great finds to help with my on going SR5 to Limited project. I located a Limited bumper off a 1997 4runner. This one had the Toyota option Hella Fog lights installed in the lower bumper valance so all I needed to do was get the harness from the donor rig along with the bumper. It had a few dimples but for the most part I did some light tapping and smoothed them out. The glass cover for the left light is broken but I have a replacement somewhere in my garage in a 4runner parts box. I picked it up for $85 with the harness.

Here is the bumper.


I removed my original bumper and test fitted the limited bumper but before I did that, I removed one of the fender flair corners and cleaned it up. There are holes in the chrome end and in the plastic valance. I took a few pics and need to get opinions from you that have a flair for what looks nice and what looks ghetto, so here are a few pics and you tell me... do they stay or do they go!

Flair Removed


Flair Installed


Upper view-removed


Upper view-installed


I will install the harness and do a write up on it if anyone is interested. Also I will do a write up on removing and installing the bumper as I have seen a few threads where people ask how do I remove the bumper so this would be a great opportunity to do another one of my "Mods for Dummies"

Thanks again for your opinions and comments

 

If you plan on adding Limited flares to the fender - YES, leave flares on the bumper; if not - I'd take them off.

 

eww flares no take them off

 

I know someone who will buy your SR5 flares if you want to sell them, just PM me.

 

Don't want to keep the fender flairs either.

Have another question, Which should I put on my truck, the black sport grill from a 2000 Sport edition


Or should I keep the chrome grill that I got off a 1999 SR5


What do you guys think? I am a bit torn but I also have an all black brush guard that goes in the front as well for mounting my Hella Off Road 500's. I'm thinkin that the black sport grill might look pretty nice with the brush guard installed. I am almost finished wiring the new fogs in so that why I did not install the brush guard yet and its easier to replace the grill if its not installed.

 

id go black! ESPECIALLY with the black brush guard! it'll look tough!

 

I think if you are going to go black, everything that is chrome should be black, but what do I know about 3rd gen runners? I like the chromer. my 2cents.

 

Leaning towards the black one. Will put the grill guard on to see which one looks better. Already know what it looks like with the chrome one! LOL! Thanks guys

 

once you go black, you never go back! haha!

 

Do you guys think I should have half and half in my coffee tomorrow or 2%? Eggs and toast or Coco Puffs?

 

Great finds! I would keep the flares, and just get more Limited pieces to finish it off. My $0.02.....If I were going to keep the black grill, I would actually color match it to the truck. I'm personally not a fan of blacking out wheels, bumpers, or grills, unless the vehicle is already black. Maybe black wheels on a light vehicles, but definately not bumpers and such. I'm a fan of chrome, but I drive a pavement princess......

That's my $0.02......

 

I have been trying to find more fender flairs for the limiteds but the only issue I have had with them is they have that wierd piece that goes across the doors. Then you have to drill holes in your doors to attach them. Not a good thing to be doing.

The Limited extrior trim would be better, IMHO, if they didn't have that 'L' piece that comes off the flair itself on the rear doors and that bumper looking piece across the front doors and just left it as the fender flair/wheel well extention, I would like them more.

I guess my only real issue right now about this bumper is if I remove the Limited extentions on the ends of the bumper I end up with 3 holes in the bumper itself but the upside is that they are chromed through so no issue with rusting. May be if I can find some stainless carriage bolts ...

 

personally I detest the chrome look....if you are going to be removing the flares maybe you want to go with the chrome accent trim for the fender arches-you know how some folks have blacked it out?

anyways if you go that route Ritzy I am glad to donate mine to you.

And those bumper flares are just silly looking if you ask me. My Bushwackers came with them also and I was just not feeling it and never had them put on and gave 'em away.

 

first off, go back to elementary school...and learn how to spell.....

second..go with the black grille lol

 

and then when your done making your truck look good, JACK THAT $H!T UP.

 

I would definetly go no fender flares although I may be biased as I am looking for a set for my Black limited 97 4Runner (Hint Hint) Let me know if you want to part with them and I also like the chrome grill but the black looks good as well so its really what ever you like!