Greetings all. I've been enjoying my '01 4D for the past 16 yrs now, with minimal issues and minor repairs. I'm now at about 170k miles. I'm having body part issues, as in the bumper end caps fading and deteriorating, as well as the side molding starting to curl at the ends and popping off the stud mounts. Also, someone backed into my drivers side (R?) front fender and dented it, and I need it replaced. Not sure where to buy from, to get a good replacement fender, OEM or? I'm seriously thinking about getting it repainted, the small rusty areas repaired (minor), fender repaired, etc. I use it almost everyday, and enjoy the ride every time. The interior is in great condition. AC/Heat work great. It hauls ***! I just put new Toyo AT 3's on it, and it's been serviced. I want a better look, but what IDK? I don't need to anything really, just use it as it is, but I can do as much as I'd like. I just need to get the fender done at minimum. It's white, not the most favorite color. Getting all the windows re-tinted next week, including windshield, with ceramic tint. It could use another ungraded radio. I can't stand the one I have, so rarely use it. I guess I'd like some ideas, thoughts, to kick around. I mainly trail and beach ride it, run through town and fight traffic, and run for beer. I don't rock crawl, but I love the look of a rock crawler. Would I put an ARB front bumper and winch on? Absolutely. Do I need one? Nah, but.... IDK. Maybe I can find less expensive, functionally adequate bumpers, for protection, since traffic has gotten crazy?! At least this is what I'd convince my wife with. Safety! LOL.

 

If you have the money and don't mind the upgrades then do them! Fix your flaws and keep driving it the way you want. If you have had it for 16 years, how many miles did it start with? I bought mine 16 years ago. It's a 96 with only 166k on it but it's rough I dont think there's a straight panel on it except the roof and hood. I have done a lot to it though and would really like to make it look beautiful. It's been built as a rock crawler though with frame stiffeners, beefy bumper and winch, 33's, axles with lockers and geared, rebuilt TC w/ 6 pinion planetary gear. I am working on restoring the interior and other parts. I would like to remove all the dents and paint it it's original color of Emerald Pearl Green, right now it's camouflage.

 

Fix it! Sounds like the usual normal wear and tear. Fender possibly junk yard. Small rusted areas could try fixing them yourself as lots of howto's out there of course guess depends on how mechanically incline you are and if you have a area to work in. Heck I've rebuilt entire front-end, replaced floor pans (welded in), removed dash and replaced evaporator and charged system backup and last spring sanded down the top fixed some rusted areas and painted with some of that 2k in a can paint and clear (turned out pretty good). Guess really depends on you....maybe make it a new hobby and learn and have fun...well some fun...but the pleasure of doing something yourself and improving it to me is enjoyable.

 

When I bought it it had 140k on it. It now has 172k, after 11 years of owning it. Third owner is what I’m believing. I use it as a fill in DD and for recreational pursuits, not a rock crawler, trails, beach areas, snow trips mostly. I use it in and around town, which can be precariously challenging in traffic these days, I think.
I bolt, whizz in and out and around all the brain dead lemmings on the streets, and abide by laws and driving courtesy as best as my patience affords me. I have one small dented fender, which occurred in my driveway by a distracted contractor back a trailer. He will fund the repairs, once we find the new fender.

at this point, with the bumper ends falling down and fading, paint fading, small rust spots appearing here and there, I think it better to install after market bumpers with something nicer and cooler looking, without over burdening the suspension with needless weight. A nice paint job when the new fender gets added would make a huge difference in appeal. But, then it gets to the point that I start becoming worried about the new paint job, where I don’t worry about it now. Pretty is nice, but functional is better, to me. I thought about just clear coating the light surface rusty areas to maintain the patina, which I think would be a nice look. Saves me money and keeps the worry about the new paint job off the plate. But I definitely ant the fender replaced, and the body side molding off, which would likely cause areas that stand out looking newer than the rest of the body.

yes, I’m keeping it and fixing it, and driving it almost daily, albeit short trips mostly. I have other vehicles I use for long trips, rotate them out as needed.

any suggestions on bumpers? What to do about the factory body side molding that’s fading and curling at the ends?

 

The bumper I bought isn't being made anymore but I liked the way it looked. It's not a tube bumper but has nice styling and it had enough space to add a winch. The rear bumper is OEM and although I want one to match, I can't seem to find one where the spare is on the drivers side so I am in no hurry because the 33 fits in the stock location. Shop around, check Amazon, do a google search! As far as those side moldings, if you're set on having them then replace them otherwise remove them!

 

Can you post a pic of your bumper? If I remove the side moldings, it would leave these stub posts.