Door edge guards and body side moldings?

Loving my 2014 SR5 but the black really shows every little door ding.

I've been looking at a lot of fifth gen 4Runners and haven't seen any with body side moldings. Also looked through the 2014 sales brochure and didn't see it as an option.

Does everyone just take their chances in the parking lot?

Would something like this be considered heinous in the 4Runner community?
https://www.carid.com/2014-toyota-4runner-body-kits/painted-moldings-331085610.html

Also, were door edge guards a Toyota option? Are there alternatives? Suggestions please.

 

Install sliders. This should help prevent door dings.

 

Rule #1 = Never buy a black vehicle, they show every little ding

Rule #2 - A super clean black vehicle looks sharper than any other color vehicle.

IMO, it's not worth the risk to own a black vehicle. Water marks, swirls, etc., just too much work to keep looking good and again, any little imperfection is amplified X 100.

 

I second what he said

 

Ditto

 

I just bought some edge gaurds from "Sparks Toyota" www.sparksparts.com in ........Just came yesterday, and did not install them yet.

 

OK, I agree too, especially the part about black looking the best of any color when it is clean!

I wasn't looking for a black one when I was shopping, my criteria I kept telling salesman and friends who were helping me find one was

$20K max.
2010+ (hoped for a 2011-12)
White or light color.

So a friend working at a non-Toyota Dealership tells me they have a 2014 with 100K miles in on trade, on the lot for $28,000 but on a "red tag' rainy weekend sale for $22,900, I almost didn't go look at it because $22,900 is not $20,000. But I had only ever driven one other 4Runner at that point and I knew my buddy wouldn't pressure me or be offended if I test drove the car, so here we go.

The car is as "unused" as a vehicle like this can be, the one owner had it for three years and two months and put 100,300 miles on it, but appears to have never towed anything or used the back seat or cargo area for that matter. So It's great and all but I tell them I really have to stick to the $20K and what do you know they do it. Damn! So I still don't finalize the deal and took it home on an overnight test drive, the next morning I took it to a mechanic to get it up on a lift and check everything out. No leaks or squeaks.

So that's how I ended up with a beautiful black 4Runner, now about those door side moldings?

 

I broke my own rule once and bought a black Mustang. I loved the car but would park in the farthest, most distant secluded parking spaces to prevent a door ding. It was ridiculous, but necessary. Other people with crappy cars just don't car and will ding you up in a minute.

The moldings look bad. Just park away from everyone, IMO.

 

I always park where other people don't, sometimes it isn't an option though, glad I have NFab side steps/bars that should stop most doors being slung open by that don't give a sheit fat lady who can't get out of her car unless the door is fully open. I also picked up the paintless dent repair insurance when I bought the vehicle, any dings fixed no charge, and they come to you. How about some door sox..https://www.amazon.com/Door-Shox-STANDARD-Removable-Protection/dp/B000XEFKEE

 

Someone would steal those in a minute, then door ding you just to piss you off even more.

Sell the black vehicle and get a white one. Life is better that way. LOL

 

HA! Thanks for the laugh, that is nasty. I think people in Memphis would take that as a personal challenge to find a way to dent the door.

 

Just do like the dudes with BMW's, Mercs, and 'Vettes do and just take up 4 spaces. That way no one can park next to you.

You'll I'm sure get lots of notes on your car complimenting you on your nice paint job.

And by "notes" I mean messages scratched into your paint with a key.

 

Yeah, park like that, taking up multiple spots....like putting a sign on your car...."Someone please come F%&* with my car because I think it's so special."

 

LMAO!!! I SOOOOO know what you mean. I have bought my FIRST black vehicle, and I am EFC about where I park it, and WALK to where I need to go. Also, since I got door guards crammed down my throat by the PORT, I have kinda thanked them after the fact. Also, shrockworks sliders are on the next mod list. Gotta protect this gorgeous hunk of metal from the dimwits in parking lots. Not a special snowflake, though. not gonna take multiple parking spaces. Not cool.