Unboxing OEM vs 4runner lifestyle front/rear valence

Will keep this one shorter than my last thread as the results are just about the same.

OEM has a much nicer gloss finish vs aftermarket very dull flat black. Material is very comparable to even where OEM may be a little floppier compared to a thicker harder aftermarket plastic.

I would suggest the same for anyone with a newer out of the showroom 4R go OEM. If you have an older truck with not the best paint or you plan to ride it hard so you don’t care go 4Runner lifestyle. I think it comes down to your budget and plans for your build.

OEM on top and 4Runner lifestyle on bottom

 

For valances, I guess it all depends on whether you like shiny or matte. I think the matte look better, but that's me. I also would like the thicker plastic.

Interesting smorgasbord of wheels you have there...

 

That’s the beauty of it - to each their own. Now typically I would also go matte as well. If I had a MG I would probably go matte. I have a lunar rock and the dull matte just didn’t seem right with that paint code so I’m going OEM.

 

Matte looks so much better

 

Post up the pics once you have them on! I agree that the oem would look better on the lunar rock.

 

Thanks again for another very useful post.

 

Did you expect them to be gloss like OEM? I'm pretty sure 4runner lifestyle lists them as flat black.

That's where I originally found flat black rear but after being out of stock for over a month I found them from CTH. I assume that's where 4runner lifestyle gets them. CTH had options for gloss or matte - I'm curious if you had gotten gloss how close they would be to OEM. I wouldn't expect the matte to be close at all

 

Thanks for showing the differences.

But I have to ask. What’s up with all the wheels?

 

No it’s pretty much what I expected. I just don’t think I knew what I wanted until I physically had both in my hands to make the decision.

 

I work for a tire and wheel shop and those racks of wheels were in our old show room. Figured it’s perfect for the garage

 

I installed the 4RL front valance last weekend and will install the rear this weekend. I went with them over OEM just for the matte black, I like it so much better. Especially on the lunar rock.

Now I just wish I could find a good matte black hood scoop and matte black door handles. All the ones I've seen are glossy.

The matte black valances match the matte black TRD pro grille I got from yota xpedition.

I am curious to see how these will hold up over time to UV exposure and also bug guts and other things. Cleaning them has been decent so far.

 

I went with the matte. It perfect matched the dealer installed black emblem overlays on my 23 ORP. Good to know they are thicker as well.
Cool wheel rack garage deco!

 

I believe the oem may be a little softer intentionally to absorb hits better before cracking. This is just my thoughts though, I have nothing to back that up

 

Cool. The way I read your post it seemed like you were surprised that it wasn't glossy like the OEM and that OEM was nicer as a result. Just didn't want others to think aftermarkets don't offer the glossy OEM type. I like the matte and wanted it for the rear. Didn't need the front because I have low pro bumper that's black and I cut the old one out

 

I probably could have worded that better. I normally am always matte person but with new 23 4R everything is so clean and new going with oem gloss felt right. Everything fit perfect as it should as well. That was a turning factor when not choosing aftermarket. However after install wondering if the extra cost was actually worth it.

 

I'm also pretty skewed towards OEM. I was pretty nervous with the 4RL front valance after reading the YouTube comments and reviews, lot of people mentioned bad fits, having to use a dremel tool to fix things, some clips not lining up. Fortunately my piece was flawless and had perfect alignment (2023 ORP), otherwise I would have said screw it and ordered OEM. I just REALLY wanted the matte black look.

 

yeah it’s always a toss up with fitment and aftermarket parts. The valance I got from 4RL I would almost bet would have lined up perfect it was identical to oem as well