Paint or Raptor?

[NMOverland]

I got lucky finding a really clean 87 4runner in black. Most of the paint is original and chipped with very minor dings over the years. While it is good as is, I'm questioning if I should repaint it, or raptor line the entire vehicle.

I've only done small paint jobs and afraid of my skill set shooting black, especially since I'd want it perfect.
With raptor liner, I'd shoot it with a smoother texture, but concerned that by doing raptor that would decrease the value of the vehicle.

I'm not planning to build a crawler as I'd like to keep it mostly factory looking. Only putting on skinny 33s as max tire size.

What direction would you go? Would a raptor paint job take away from the value of the vehicle?

 

[msahr]

It's just me, but I really dislike "bedliner as paint" jobs. It's right up there with the neighbor's high school kid who rattle-canned his Altima with cheapo flat black paint. It just looks bad. So especially if you care about value I'd definitely leave it. There's really nothing wrong with original paint even if it's not perfect. The 80 Hilux I picked up a week ago has all original paint but also has some dents and scratches. How about a pic of the 4Runner?

 

[NMOverland]

Photo as requested!

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[Trialsallday]

Photo as requested!

View attachment 2342501.

maybe its me but that looks awesome. wish mine looked like that.

 

[clay763]

While I really like Raptor coat, I would try to restore the factory paint based on the photo. But photo's can be deceiving. Raptor coat is awesome if you want a more durable paint job that you don't need to worry about scrapping down sagebrush lined trails. I'm not a fan of Raptor when it is put on with a lot of texture (rolled on), but a good flat HPLV coat looks amazing.

 

[Trialsallday]

While I really like Raptor coat, I would try to restore the factory paint based on the photo. But photo's can be deceiving. Raptor coat is awesome if you want a more durable paint job that you don't need to worry about scrapping down sagebrush lined trails. I'm not a fan of Raptor when it is put on with a lot of texture (rolled on), but a good flat HPLV coat looks amazing.

Yeah actually I have seen some that were done real nice. A lot softer and even.

 

[PAToyota]

When you say you "got lucky finding a really clean" truck and then mention bedlining it, I just cringe.

Big downside of doing bedliner is that there really is no turning back - trying to peel it back off just isn't going to happen. Touch up the chips so it doesn't rust and enjoy it as is!

 

[NMOverland]

Today, I stripped out the rear interior as the carpet is falling apart. It looks like some harsh chemicals were once used to clean the interior due to some minor staining on the plastic. Under the carpet she is dusty, same can be said for behind the panels. P.O. had shoved the spare tire removal tool all the way forward and there was no way to reach it with out taking it apart.

When cleaning behind the panels I found zero rust anywhere and no signs the truck was ever hit.

Only annoyance, are the 6x9 speakers the P.O. rough cut into the rear panels.

Thinking to raptor the outside is merely a thought knowing my lack of body work skill. I might hit the interior storage areas with raptor as they have some scratches to keep it rust free.

Now questioning if I can replace the 31s with the 255/85R16 on stock suspension....

 

[SteveH]

I would touch up/repaint as needed, and run with the paint you have. Any repaint or (especially) Raptor liner will decrease the value. If you can preserve the OEM paint and just touch up where needed, you'll have a sharper truck.

 

[yotadude520]

I agree with SteveH. It doesn't look too bad as is and I think time might be spent better elsewhere.

 

[steffan]

I’ve seen some fantastic liner jobs but the bad ones are horrible and As has been said before, once it’s on, it’s on

 

[Dumpolina]

Now questioning if I can replace the 31s with the 255/85R16 on stock suspension....

Ive done it on several 89-94 pickups with a minor tbar crank, but never a 1st gen 4Runner... but its basically the same suspension so should work.