Side Door Molding

Nothing worse than coming out to see the clown that parked next to you was too weak to stop their door from hitting your baby…

How do you feel about adding side door moldings on your 4Runner?

Who has done it and how do you like them?

Did you get aftermarket or go to Toyota for OEMs?

Thanks everyone!

 

I prefer sliders, which work to prevent most door dings, just not full-size pickup trucks. I try not to get near those.

 

The problem is there are infinity hights, sizes, and shapes of vehicle doors. As well as the angles and distances at which vehicles park next to you. The odds of a door hitting directly on the protective molding strip are probably slim.

You apply the molding and odds are you're gonna get a door ding right above or below it.

 

I don’t think there is a factory OEM protective body side molding kit option for 4Runners, is there?

I’ve never noticed body side moldings on a fifth gen 4Runner. If there is such a thing, please enlighten. I mean, there’s always after-market choices, but I’m just not aware of OEM for 4Runners.

When we bought our pre-owned / certified 2023 RAV4 XLE Premium Hybrid AWD, it did not have body side moldings on it. I ordered the OEM kit from our Toyota dealer parts dept. and installed these on the wife’s car.

I agree they may not stop all door dings, but, better than doing nothing I guess. So far, no door dings on the RAV4. We both try to park selectively, but ultimately, there’s frequently some inconsiderate / uncaring asshole to worry about when you return to your vehicle.

A few weeks ago I came back out to my T4R in the HEB grocery store parking lot and there was a grocery cart touching up against the rear vinyl wheel well molding above the left rear tire on my vehicle. No damage

The cart corral was like 25’ away. Lazy sons a bitches. Yes, I wheeled that cart and mine over in to the corral.

 

My 4Runner was missing some door edge trim on the passenger side.
First I ordered factory door edge guards -- Nope not it -- Very different from the drivers side trim.
The old owners must have done something aftermarket. (but I suspect the dealer did it as an add on)

I finally found the trim they used here:
Colored Door Edge Guard L Shape Molding 12 foot Kit With 3M Tape – TrueLine Automotive

Very happy with it and it matches the color 100% - Easy to install and secure. While it won't stop a person from hitting my door it does protect the edge of the door from hitting something.

 

@Rick G. - not sure. Nice job on your RAV4, looks great!

 

@glwood54 - what are sliders?

 

Any number of aftermarket providers, check out the 5th gen Armor section.

 

I just park away from the masses.

 

@glwood54 - I think I may like those better than the drop steps I currently have.

 

Mine already has these door protectors (plastic strips). Unfortunately, I can't say where they're from or who makes them. I only noticed them when someone mentioned them here in the forum. In terms of shape and paintwork i would say OEM. But so far, I haven't found any pictures from other 4R's with these moldings.

 

Sliders are the little metal prongs with rubber boots on the ends that control the climate control settings in a 2nd gen 4Runner. All later gens used knobs. I love my sliders.

Just kidding (sorta!) on that one. Sliders protect your vehicle when off roading. Say like if you went over a big rock, the slider would hit and scrape the rock instead of your vehicle getting scraped

 

If some clueless RAV4 passenger (there are several million of them) opens their rear door with the wheel arch cutout, no molding is high enough to stop a door ding:



You can wrap your whole vehicle in PPF (~$6k every five years) or coat your vehicle in Line-X Ultra:

 

Ive said it before, you have a great looking 4runner

 

Looks like these: https://www.dawn-ent.com/FE2-4RUN-Toyota-4Runner-Painted-Body-Side-Molding

 

@3JOH22A - these look like they could work… thanks for the link!

 

@golfpilot - yes, looks good!

 

They provide very little coverage, but if you want to spend money, this forum is very good at advising you where to spend it!

 

This should work:


I am sure it is OEM

 

@water - that’s a friggin riot!!! Love that

 

That's also a solution, just build higher than everyone else an no one will hammer a door into your side

 

I added these and the have already saved one ding.