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Comments
Thanks
Dillon
The Manik I'm guessing will come as one piece with the center part only and the the second piece might be the light gaurds added on, etc.
Look at the warranty for both the chrome and black, that may be telling.
I "finally" recently bought a 4runner v8 sr5, too tall to fit in sport, long story, anyways, I am receiving it this friday and have heard that the stock tires SUCK and there is some previous posts saying other tires are really good, but not much talk on the quality of grand treks.
I am curious what you all thought of them. I looked into 'exchanging' the 'new' dunlops for Bridgestone Revo's, but i cant seem to get much for the dunlops. I am just curious if the dunlops REALLY suck, then i might just bite the bullet and upgrade now while the stock tires are still worth something.
Since i live in Ottawa Canada, SNOW driving is rather important, plus offroading maybe once a month, nothing to serious though.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
I found out that in order for me to install a Manik grille guard on my 04 4 runner, I need to take out the bolts on the underside and there are two 3/8 inch bolts behind each black plastic piece in the front. If I take the sport bumper assembly off and install a Manik, I was infomed in would hinder the air bag sensors ability to deploy in case of an accident. In fact, I heard Toyota discontinued making these types of guards for liability reasons. Do you agree that this would hinder the air bag sensors. Also, any recommendations on what to use to fill the 2 holes on either side of the bumper once removed?
Thanks in advance
Dillon
I personally am not a big fan of these. I have had them and I don't think they offer much in protection and in some cases can make the damage of an accident worse. They often shake and the finishes don't hold up like the rest of your truck. IMO they are for style and not substance. The front ends of cars nowadays are highly engineered and I don't want to mess with that. (i.e. crumple zones, airbags)
ARB and TJM sell replacement bumpers that have been tested to insure compatability with the airbags. BUT they do not have one for the fourth generation 4Runners yet. That is what I am waiting for.
Thanks for the insight. I tend to agree that the guards are probabley more for asthetics.
Hence, I am not going with one.
Just curious, with respect to replacement bumpers, when they are available for 04's, what is the advantage and what are they made of?
Can you give me a ballpark price?
Thanks
Dillon
Advantages are that it is a replacement so it is funtional and limits the adding of weight. Also you can mount winches to them. I'm pretty sure you can get the in steel (maybe stainless too) and some in aluminum.
They are expensive. I would say $600 to $1000.
Do a search for the companies and you will get an idea of looks, price and features. ARB and TJM
I am also very interested in the ARB style bumper, instead of the typical "grill guard". Please post when they become available.
Whitney
For approximately that same $500 you can get the WAAG bumper (not grille) guards, including shipping, for both ends of the vehicle. If you're interested in my resoning, see post #8899 in the main 4Runner discussion.
I can say from personal experience that the WAAG bumper guard protects against front end damage in a low-speed parking lot bump. If you're interested in specifics see my post #403 in "Toyota 4Runner: Problems and Solutions." I just got my replacement "front runner" bumper guard installed and am about to get the old one to the responsible party's insurance company so they'll reimburse me for the cost. It saved them a bunch of money, too.
As far as airbag function, I think the effect will be quite small and I'm not concerned, but it's impossible to know about every possible situation. The front runner guard will provide a little more crush space, and dissipate some initial energy, but I think that's about it. Remember that the vehicle or object you might hit with your bumper is a highly variable thing, and not a flat test wall, so the effect of the guard is likely to be swamped by the larger variability of the structure of the specific impact situation.
So my thoughts on going for the replacement is not really for protection but for looks, ability to add winch and lights, possibly improved approach angles, tested compatability with air bags and the fact that I am not adding extra weight. These are stronger though so if I was to hit a kangaroo (they are both made in Australia) or a deer I think they would offer more protection that a typical grille/bumper gaurd. Just my opinion.
my2cents, thanks for the reassurance about the Homelink retrofit. Mine is supposed to arrive in a few days and I'm looking forward to an easy install. My only gripe with partznet is that they don't give you even an estimated shipping cost until you get the notice your order has been shipped. I even sent an email question and they didn't answer the part about estimated shipping.
http://www.smittybiltinc.com/products/frontguards/outsport.html on my '03 4Runner Limited, but it's not yet available for the newer 4Runners. I consider this Smittybilt item to be a more logical, durable, better looking, and a more functional alternative to Toyota's largely plastic and vastly overpriced front (center) bumper guard. If Smittybilt would just come out with a version to fit the newer 4Runners, I would plan to hang a set of PIAA 1450 fog lamps off of it. But as I said, Smittybilt isn't yet offering this for the new 4Runners, and I can't seem to find a similar low-profile, center bumper guard that's currently available for the new 4Runners. (I looked at the Westin Safari bar, but didn't like it.) Any suggestions other than waiting for Smittybilt to eventually get around to offering what I want? (I don't want a wide front bumper guard/cage. I want something like what's shown in the link above.) Thanks. KH
I don't know what that translates to in production, but there aren't any standards in the US to my knowledge. The UK was supposedly regulating them too.
Steve, Host
Thanxs
This is the same Toyota part that's in the units that have Homelink installed at the factory, and the only exterior change from the previous unit is the addition of the homelink logo/light and the 3 buttons. You can buy the part at your local dealer for $98 or at partznet for $76.50 plus about $8 shipping. List price for the option is about $125.
Installation is basically a matter of pulling down the old console and disconnecting the wire plug, followed by reversing this process. However I found it took a *lot* of force to pull the old console down. You must only pull down on the front edge of the console, as the rear edge is meant to tilt down on 3 plastic stubs and some heavy duty velcro. Perhaps the folks who find the old ones easy to pull down and remove are folks who have already had the sunroof rattle TSB performed, and that has loosened the metal/plastic clips that hold the front portion of the assembly to the roof of the vehicle. These two clips are approximately centered on the chamber that the sunglasses holder retracts into. You can start by opening the sunglasses holder and pulling down on that to create an opening around the edge of the module that you can hook your fingers into.
Once you get the module out you'll need to pull out the electrical plug, and that plug is latched in place. A small screwdriver will help unlatch it, if pushed in from the bottom. Try not to short anything out, as power is live to the module all the time.
With the module out you'll see a small motor/gearbox and some shafts. This is apparently part of the motorized wind deflector. Before you install the new module make sure no metal or plastic parts are left in the square holes in the metal roof where the front of the module mounts. Compare the old and new modules to see this.
Homelink programming instructions are in the operating manual; just look for "garage door" in the index. Training for my non-rolling-code opener took about 25 seconds instead of the specified 20, but it worked the first time. Unlike my existing remote, the Homelink buttons need to be pressed for at least a half-second or so to activate.
This is a nifty system, and I'm happy I made the purchase. The other Homelink buttons can be programmed to operate other doors, gates, and even home automation stuff like the wireless X10 links.
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lukeg37211/album?.dir=/Yahoo!+Ph- - oto+Album&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//p- - hotos.yahoo.com/lukeg37211
how many bolts hold each one on underneath?
they look good.
link
Steve, Host
do you know what they weigh, by any chance?
I have heard good things about the 3M film protector, but I was concerned about build up near the edges of the film itself (ie. wax, etc).
I just picked up a new 2004 SE V8-4WD and the truck is very nice. However, I am underwelmed by the pathetic center console, especially the part that could contain a navigator unit. Does anyone know a good source for accessories that could replace the little container that seems just enough for a wallet? I have the standard radio system.
Also, I could only find one cigarette lighter in the front seats. I need one or two more for the various chargers I am carrying. I never thought I would regret my Navigator but this is a clear example where downsizing bites one in the butt.
I am planning to finish the faces with some wood as well and I am open to any suggestions to spiff up the drab look of the 4runner.