To trim or not to trim

5th Gen owners: Have a 2018 Limited Four Runner. Had the rockers trimmed and auto steps removed to reduce weight and give much cleaner look. Am considering having the same firm trim the excess plastic from the front bumper to gain approach angle. So what are the downsides: market value, gas mileage come to mind. Are there others? Have read that Tacomas lost nearly 1 mpg by removing the valence. Inputs are much appreciated

 

Had me at weight reduction.

 

Im still new to these 4Rs but from my experience off road and owning a 6.2l. I didnt buy a heavy truck for mpgs. If you do want/need the extra clearance for off road. A little mpg loss is worth the extra approach angle to me.

now if you dont off road much and dont plan on keeping it id probably skip cutting the front if it makes a big difference in how it looks. Im also not sure what exactly is being cut since ive only seen whats called the viper cut lol.

 

You could PM @Harringbr99 - he did quite the nice job of trimming his rocker panels and bumper (besides other mods):

 

Once you start making any modifications resale is a concern. Stock is best to keep resale at highest.

If your keeping it and it makes you happy go for it. Its just plastic but it took me awhile to get comfortable trimming what you need to.

 

That’s is a Clean Cut……. I know that when you’re cutting fenders, there’s different cuts from moderate to extreme and the more you cut the more is being exposed on the inside of the fender liner the more you cut the more mods you’re having to do if you wanted to cut, I would start very modestly And see how much you need, how much you need to cut with the type of off-roading , you do

 

Unless you find yourself scraping it, I'd leave it alone.

As far as resale, personally I'd stay away from anything with mods like that if I were looking to buy.

 

Do you off-road this? You said gain approach angle. I agree with others, you are destroying the resale value of this vehicle.

 

Thanks to all! Leave it well alone is the answer

 

Yo Duck.... Where are you located? You still got the auto running boards? Considering selling them or parts from them?

 

Nope. Keeping as they are to be reinstalled if I ever elect to sell the vehicle

 

You can buy the short rockers from a Trail / SR5 / TRD OR ect and buy the auto running boards for them which sit up almost 3" higher than your OEMs. You got all the wiring and electronics just need the boards and motor and arms for the short rocker setup. If you want high rockers AND want to keep the auto running boards that is a good way to get everything you want all at once.

 

Thanks kindly for this. Believe the ORM running boards can be installed even with the now trimmed rockers, and work better due to easier foot access