Blackout bar but keep emblem - wrap or aftermarket part?

Hello Folks,

Yea another blackout thread but slightly different so try not to eye roll too hard.

Just starting to get into modding our new 4Runner off road Premium.
This is really the wife’s vehicle.
She wants to black out the valance and grill but keep the original emblem and NOT go with Pro grill. The pic of the white 4Runner is what we are going for.

For valance we are going to go with aftermarket pieces so we don’t need to worry about scratches showing through a paint or vinyl wrap.

We already got OEM emblem overlays.
I will get those little crime lines blacked out with aftermarket overlays.

So my question is really about the bar across front of grill. Do we buy a full cover that accommodates the original emblem like the one from Car Trim Home (found it on Amazon for less) or Extreme Terrain (much more expensive but supposedly US Made) or go with a vinyl wrap? If I was going for a Pro Grill I would go overlap but not sure with our plan.

I assume vinyl will be a lot cheaper and may even have cleaner lines (our car is Lunar Rock so the edges will really stand out. But the cover may be stronger against chips and scratches.
Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
Michael

 

Vinyl wrap will need to be replaced frequently since it will chip and mark easily. Wraps are better for show cars.

I asked the same question to my local Tint/Wrap installer and they said it's not a good option for a daily driver.

 

I think I got my blackiut kit from 4runner lifestyle.

It replaces part of the grill including the Toyota emblem and also has the bar. I think that's required because I had a chrome line that required partial replacement of the grill

https://www.4runnerlifestyle.com/products/4runner-trd-pro-grille

 

You could be original, and NOT black it out. Seriously, with everyone blacking everything out, that would really make you stand out and get noticed!

By the way, nice truck!

 

Everyone does it because the chrome looks hideous.

 

#ChromeLivesMatter

 

These are great responses. Thanks!

Ripper and Thacrow - well sounds like overlay is the way to go.

Borracho - good point!
I think the valance is mandatory as the silver looks really odd to me with the Luna rock vs back. But - leaving the lunar rock on the grill bar is a possibility.

Thanks!

Michael

 

I saw a video that detailed a low profile steel bumper install. His 4Runner had the silver valance/front bumper too. When he took off the bumper he discovered that the silver valance is a COVER piece that goes over the painted bumper. It's just added protection. My SloRunna doesn't have it, it's just a painted bumper.

 

Borracho Loco brings up a good point. The large silver valance at the bottom I yet another thing. 4runnerlifestyle has a replacement black valance. it's thicker ABS and more fast black looking.

I got a TRD pro one (on the rear bumper) from the dealership which is thinner, more glock black and I think less cheap looking. But you'll need to make a decision here as well.

Oooooorrrrrrrr like Borracho Loco also brings up, you could put a lopro bumper on there. While you're at it you should replace the fog lights, add a light bar, winch, lift, wheels, tires, overlanding fridge and train horn. Don't forget the raptor lights.

 

LOL, bro....I was on your side until I read the very end. Train horn? I've thought about putting an air horn on my truck (and previous truck), then thought "Nah, I won't be THAT big of a dick to people in traffic."

 

there's this jeep i see all the time a few block over when walking my dog. He's got a roof rack that is almost completely full with a few large air tanks and several horns. That jeep also has a modern camo wrap and he even rhino liner'd his gas can. You don't want to go up against this guy.

also - you'll always have issues with the black bar fitting correctly. No one will notice but you. See below.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/black-overlay-not-sticking.27237/

 

The OEM valance is shiny and doesn’t seem to match the grill so I was thinking about getting the Yota Xpedition one.

 

I think this only feels this way because we are all in a forum where people are modding and there are limited options. I see a ton of 4Runners when I'm out driving and most have the stock frontend ... and it definitely does not look as good (my opinion obviously).

 

I got mine from Ecoological - you can search and find a couple of threads here about it. Looks like there are a few sellers now like 4runner lifestyle but that may be where they get theirs from since they are just a middle man. You can get the overlay for the chrome bars on the newer ones as well

 

Love the Red accents. I did similar to be different than the blackouts so many do.

 

Yeah, I looked forever for an overlay for the grill but nobody made one. Vinyl wrap was the only option and I didn't think it'd hold up in the front. Pro grill looks good but I don't have a pro, the OEM is stupid expensive, and the cheaper knock offs sometimes have fitment and quality issues.

Then these guys came out with one and I bought it quick. They tried to have a group sale on this site but looks like they didn't get a lot of interest.

Thanks for the comment on the red accents. My tow hooks are starting to fade pink and I noticed the emblem overlay is starting to crack and get pretty sun damaged (kinda feels soft). I'll probably rattle can the hooks at some point (or swap with a spare pair) and I guess I'll have to replace the emblem overlay. The red ones in the back seem to be holding up well (emblem and Sombrero overlays) so maybe it's just an issue with front catching more road grime, salt spray, and rocks. I replaced the silver "TRD Offroad" c pillar badges with aftermarket red "TRD" and black "Offroad" badge a while back. Looks like that red is fading a bit too in some angles of light. They were a real pain to take off, clean off the sticky, and then reapply in the same spot so not looking forward to it again.

I like the white/black/red scheme I've got going. Probably a little overboard since they're just cosmetic and not practical but relatively cheap and make me smile. I have a red steering wheel overlay as well

 

My D ring is Red and it started to rusting/peel so i found some good Red rustoleum and repainted. I also peeled off my TRD emblems and painted them with the rustoleum as well since the overlays are a little fat.

 

Plasti-Dip the valance I did mine, just take your time. Easy peezy

 

Ordered valance from Yota Xpedition and grill bar cover from Ecoological. I’ll post a pic when done with installation.

Thanks for your help!

 

Alright, done!
Looks fantastic. Only issue is the back balance has a gap. It is weird like something is holding it up even though all the clips are in. The plastic you can see does not have a clip.
I will probably fill the gap with a little black caulk.