First fake TRD Pro I have seen in the wild

Man I like those slick-top pros with the steelies! Too bad they can’t be ordered without the add-ons.

 

I think they might be, when I put my VIN into KBB it says "TRD Off-Road Premium Sport Utility 4D" and I found a random PRO for sale and put the VIN in and it said "TRD Pro Sport Utility 4D"

 

As a (former) M3 owner, this also makes me chuckle. The only folks that will notice are the same bunch that know it's fake. Same mentality as up-badging non-M cars...but whatever helps them sleep at night.

 

Be proud about what you have. I have an SR5 and have heavily modified it. I love it because it was my vision of how i wanted it and that meets what my wife and i use it for.

 

Back in 2004, I debadged my e46 M3. I really liked how stealth it was. Back then, they only came with a straight 6 & 2 doors / 333 HP. But that was a fun car.

 

In my muscle car days, clones where a big deal an I hated it! Roadrunner emblems on a satellite, Shelby emblems on a mustang, yenko on camaros. I guess it meant something then.

Now on 4runners and tacomas, I don't see a reason to care. Maybe its my age, or maybe its the fact all 4runners share the same powertrain. Every toyota can put "trd" stickers on it because if your driving aggressively you are technically "racing". Lol I guess id only really care if I bought what was listed as a trd pro but was really a sr5(wouldn't happen)

 

yep. so common that when I met someone with a mustang bullitt, which I had never heard of at the time, I knew it was legit.

 

Its about finances. If they are more tight than someone thinks that way and throws on PRO parts later. If finances aren't as tight, they get the PRO and do what they want.

 

I remember someone posted that their friend works at the port and tried to get the steelies but that they are really stringent about disposing of them. They look good though

 

It's not about finances at all.

Nobody upgrades to PRO parts for off-roading. They're better off starting with a lower trim and modifying it to suit their needs. Between the purchase price and mods, I still probably haven't hit the cost of a PRO. And, I would school a stock PRO off-road.

The only functional upgrade the PRO has (as far as off-road capability) is the suspension, which any serious off-roader will end up replacing.

As it says in the post you quoted; it doesn't make sense to pay extra for stuff you're going to replace anyway.

 

many people get a pro then do upgrades. Finances aren’t an issue or part of the equation. Others get a lower trim at a lower price and throw pro parts on it because they want the things that a pro has but not the price point of a pro is a factor for them. It’s rather simple. I’m talking about people who put pro parts on their runner. And the whole argument of “I’d school a pro” is childish and only rationalizing it to yourself and others doing the same thing.

 

Not sure why anyone cares tbh. Unless you did buy a Pro that wasn't and I can't see that happening often and the buyer obviously wouldn't have done their due diligence if it did. My 4runner will have parts from multiple different trim models, not because I didn't have money for the Pro or the Limited or the ..., but because I like those features. It was called oem+ in some of the car circles back in the day, not sure it still is. Using parts from other trims or models in the manufacturer line up (such as the mirrors from the Rav4) or adding the heritage grill/valences from the Pro because it looks better (my opinion), the wheels from the Trail (I believe ... dark grey OR wheels), the black mirror look from whichever model that was from ... All of which I will be doing or have done.

I would have never started with the Pro though as I would have removed the more expensive parts that make it a Pro as I continue my build. It wouldn't have made any sense.

Do I think anyone should slap a Pro badge on a non pro, not really, but I don't care if they do either. Doesn't affect me either way.

 

Mickey, I'm new to the forum and noticed your post about putting a decal on the hood scoop to deal with the glare.... Would you mind sharing a pic or more info on what you used ?
I'm a graphic designer and have access to tons of vinyl, and would love to solve the same problem I'm having here in Louisiana... Thanks In Advance !!

 

First off, you're the one who originally said it was about finances.

If you're talking about the people who buy a lower trim and then modify it to make it look like a pro, then I would agree with you.

But, The post you had quoted earlier was about modifying for off-roading purposes. In which case, it makes much more sense to start with a lower trim and choose your own upgrades.

There's nothing childish about pointing out my reasoning for starting with a lower trim. I'm not sure why that remark was even necessary. I'm just supporting the argument that you are better off buying a lower trim and modifying it yourself if you really want to do serious off-roading.

And, what do you think am I trying to rationalize, that others are doing? Choosing the right trim for my needs? I have not put any PRO parts on mine, nor do I plan on doing so. Every modification I've done on mine has been for personal preference, needs, and for off-roading purposes.

 

people actually want the pro skid plate and the ugly bucket roof rack? Huh, didn't know.

 

Agree with this. I changed these because I liked it. I don't care for Pro and not trying to make my ORP a pro.

 

I see a lot of people "upgrading" to the PRO skid plate, strangely enough. I suppose it does look nicer than the standard skid plate. But, not really worth a damn if you're actually going to be playing in the rocks with any regularity.

The roof rack is confusing to me as well. I have heard a few people actually like it. I saw a thread where somebody had removed the top level of it, and it actually looked a lot more functional in that configuration.

 

Ordered on etsy

 

We are arguing the same thing. Pro parts on non Pros and trying to rationalize it. I like dudes who mod their rigs their own way, like you are saying about yours. My fault on the miscommunication.

 

Welcome to the forum. Any questions, feel free to DM someone.. else!

 

Haha, gotcha.

Sometimes I misunderstand what people are trying to say on here.

 

I never understood the point of this. But I also try to avoid fake badge debates with people….feel like it just becomes a dick measuring contest where the lower trim fake badge advocate tries to convince the higher trim real badge guy that he wasted his money on the real thing, a lower trim one with mods is way better, he only put it on because he likes the way the badge looks, etc etc.

Then the real badge guy pretends he’s Johnny CEO and tries to convince the other guy that only the poors buy lower trims….yuck. It’s a thing with Civic Si vs Type Rs too. Hell, the Germans fully embraced the fake badge marketing gimmick and just flat out make fake AMGs and M cars from the factory now lol.

But, like a fake Rolex, I do think faking anything to impress people is for fools. Even with the same powertrains and whatever, reality is that TRD Pros are always worth more $ than non-Pros for a few reasons (OEM equipped parts, limited colors, availability, etc). There are also people who can afford to buy Pros and mod them to oblivion too, so the badge flex (whether you think it’s deserved or not) is the only reason to slap one on.

But it’s their car, whatever makes them happy I guess. A cool Runner is a cool Runner to me regardless of badge but others care more about comparison/status and less about the car itself.

 

That bucket roof rack is a flop, indeed

 

That is great looking. Are those letters the red or the matte red, and is it difficult to get it on straight?

 

Interesting point after owning three M cars, all which I terribly regret selling now (especially the E30 and M Coupe) I used to look at a regular E30 or E36 with an M badge and laugh. Yet I see all kinds of badging on 4Runners and it never bothers me. 4Runners are just not unique vehicles.

 

The black is matte, and the red is glossy. I applied the black with the wet method the seller suggested and the letters come on a sheet already placed. You lay it where you want, rub the letters on and remove the backing. I only had to lay the strip where I wanted the letters. I found it fairly easy by following the seller’s application directions.

 

How could you....

 

Let’s be honest, M cars aren't that unique anymore lol before the Teslas took over corporate parking lots, it was a sea of M3s for every finance bro within sight.

My family had a couple 80s/90s bimmers when I was growing up, first car in high school was even a handed down E30 318i coupe. That was a different era of BMW….new ones are soulless heavy bricks imo.

Definitely turn my head when I see a cool 4runner, not so much for some new BMW leasemobile.

 

I always turn for a 4Runner, never for a bmw. I might even be that weird guy that talks to you about your mods if I see your car in a parking lot

 

I de-badge my vehicles regardless of trim and don't care what anyone else does with theirs.