What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today?

Got my Ditch lights mounted, American flag decals on rear windows, and wind visors on the windows. Doin 50" light bar above the windshield tomorrow.

 

Where you get the flag decals from? Got better angles of it? Truck is looking good. You dipped your rims?

 

The guys over at Overlook Graphics. I got a few bubbles in the driver side but it's only really noticeable when you're right up on it. I will let you know I'm definitely not the best at putting large stickers in place. Yes they're plasti-dipped but it's slowing starting to come off. I want to replace the wheels in general at some point but that's down the road.

 

That looks great. Loving the decals. I'm definitely going to dip my rims in the near future as soon as I get some nice weather and a couple hours of free time. Hopefully I don't jack it up. How long has it lasted?

 

Why does EVERYONE put these stickers on backwards! Flag faces forward, all the time, every time.

 

"Civilians often wonder why the US Army Flag Patch is reversed. The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder. The reason has to do with proper display of the flag.

The blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. When viewing the flag on a wall, the highest position of honor is the upper left when displayed horizontally, and at the top (upper left) when displayed vertically. When displayed on a "moving object" like a person or vehicle, the highest position of honor is the front, and not the rear; so the field of blue should be displayed to the front.

The same principle applies to the eagle rank of Colonels (or Navy Captains); the eagles' heads are always worn facing forward when worn on the uniform, as the forward-facing eagle is the position of honor within heraldry.

In application, then, flags are displayed on moving vehicles with the blue-star field always displayed towards the front of the vehicle. In this way, the flag appears to be blowing in the wind as the vehicle travels forward (flags are always attached to their flag poles on the blue field side). If the flag were not reversed on the right hand side of the vehicle, the vehicle might appear to be moving backwards (or "retreating").

The next time you visit an airport, notice that the US-flagged aircraft also have a "reverse" flag painted on the right side of the aircraft.

For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies: the blue star field always faces towards the front, with the red and white stripes behind. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the Soldier's arm like a flag pole. As the Soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.

As the proponent for standardization and authorization of heraldry items within the Department of Defense, the Institute of Heraldry addresses the apparent oddity of the reverse flag patch by stating, "When worn on the right sleeve, it is considered proper to reverse the design so that the union is at the observer's right to suggest that the flag is flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward."

 

There is A LOT of controversy over this. The flag flying backwards as in the stars forward and stripes backward is a sign of retreat. Stars towards the back, stripes forwards the front, is a sign of aggression and advancement. Some will view it just the opposite since if you were to carry a flag into battle and advance, the flag will indeed fly backwards. in 2005 the military was authorized to wear the patch on their right shoulder with the stars to the back, stripes to the front. There's a reason for that. Either way, as far as i'm concerned, the flag is in retreat if the stars are facing the front of the truck.

 

It "flies" with the vehicle. I would assume personal preference could take part. Considering I bought the "driver and passenger" And the driver side "flies" with the vehicle as well. They're on correct or else both of them would go against the vehicle at that point of switching their places.

 

I've had the vehicle for a month, and saw it a month or two before that, at the Chevy dealership. I would assume like 8 months now. I've done other vehicles, my Envoy plasti dip lasted about a year and some months.

 

Just ordered the decals! Was also just about to dip my wheels today when the bright sunny day turned into unexpected rain and hail lol. Was it hard applying the decal? I need to cut it with an xacto knife, correct?

 

I followed the how to video that they make. I don't remember using one, but I'm sure if you get scared that you might pull the dip up where you don't want to, just cut it to be safe. I was putting my light bar on where it started getting overcast. Got worried lol.

 

Have a slow leak and took truck to my mechanic. Plugging a nail. Says I need new tires. Cracks in it as well - dry rotting. This thing only has 29k miles on it. Is it normal for tires to go bad with only 29k miles?? And if I am going to replace them, what do you guys recommend? And do I need to get 5 and replace the spare as well? I am keeping the rims for now since I don't have the funds for new wheels and a lift just yet. I like to go on trails but nothing crazy off roading on boulders or anything. New to this and this is also my DD. Thanks for any advice.

 

Car mfgs suggest replacing any tires that are 6 years old, no matter the mileage. You can check the mfg date on your tires by looking at the DOT code, the stamped numbers at the end are the date of mfg in week and year. My brother had a tire explode just sitting in his driveway because the tire was rotted from sitting in the sun for years. How much is your life worth? Replace those dry rotted tires.

 

Well, done nothing about this yet, you clearly see what stands way too far out in this picture, yes those white window pillars, so I'm curious if anyone has ever successfully used something like Hi Tech carpet/plastic/vinyl dye before? Does anyone agree it just looks wrong?

 

Installed my Overlandgraphics.com flag decals. It didn't come with instructions and it was pretty wrinkled so it wasn't an easy install. I contacted them and they said they're going to ship out a new set of decals with instructions today for free so I decided to practice with these. As my pastor says about himself, "Looks good from far, but far from good!" Good amour of bubbles. Hopefully once I have instructions and a set that's not all jacked up out the box it'll look better up close!

 

No, leave it alone. You stand a chance of really screwing it up. Only in certain lights would you even notice the pillar anyway. Less is more.

 

I wouldn't attempt it unless someone else had positive results...lol, I don't want to guinea pig my own vehicle. Here is a snip of a video from YT and that white P just stands out too much! Oh well, I'll learn to live with it.

 

Go to an upholstery shop and have them vinyl wrapped. Not the thin sticky vinyl like used on plastic panels, thick glue on vinyl that would be used on seats. It can be done and it looks great.

 

How about tinting the windshield? Probably cheaper and you can always remove the tint.

 

Hmm, never thought of that. If it gets any further in my "just ain't right" side of my brain I'll check that out. Thanks!

 

Got the TRD Pro grill installed that was on the dealer addendum sticker with a whopping price tag of 998.00 but actually was not present on the vehicle. Dirty little trick or honest mistake, whatever, I caught the error and demanded the grill or a grand back in my pocket, with such a huge profit margin of course they went with the grill. Seriously, these two pieces of plastic have to be a billion percent markup at a grand. I like it.

 

I love the TRD Pro grill but refuse to pay $600 for plastic panels held on by double sided tape. BTW, $400 of that $1000 on your window sticker was labor. Job takes less than an hour to do. Seriously, find another dealer. This wasn't an accident, they tried to screw you over.

 

They wouldn't even put the grill on, they ordered it and sent it over to a third party installer, then I had to drive 40 miles to get it installed, yep took less than an hour.

 

if they didn't install it they owe you some $$$ back, that is some bullshit.

 

Did they at least pay for the install?

 

Yes they did. I'll probably never buy another vehicle from this dealership, hard to find honest, upfront, customer centered dealers in Phoenix.

 

Just ordered new hard shell CVT RTT, Ecotechne RR, and RCI Skid plates. Getting ready for the big summer trip! Pics to follow once it all comes in.

 

Got my 2nd set of rims powdercoated. I'm lucky to have a neighbor that works as a supervisor at the shop.

 

Debadged the SR5 emblems and removed the hood shield.

Can't wait for the Black TRD PRO wheels to arrive next week so I can throw the KO2's on!