Replacing LR4 wheel arches

I hate the painted arches, and miss the dark grey plastic arches from my LR3. If I didn't get stuck with a black truck (meaning the swap won't make that much of a visual difference), I'd have done this the week I bought the truck. But I've given it 18 months or so with the LR4 to get used to it, and I simply don't like them. So I'd like to swap back in LR3 arches, which I understand fit the LR4.

Unfortunately, I can't seem to get this done for less than around $110/wheel.

I could have sworn I saw third party arches a year or so ago for less than $200 for a full set.

Has anyone replaced their LR4 arches, or refreshed their LR3 arches and found a solution other than buying OEM parts at $110 per wheel?

So I guess I'm the only one weird enough to do this? I've definitely seen LR4s with plastic arches. Typically white ones. Saw one in person two summers ago in Iceland. And have seen photos online of them ... so I know you folks are out there.

hatch said:

So I guess I'm the only one weird enough to do this? I've definitely seen LR4s with plastic arches. Typically white ones. Saw one in person two summers ago in Iceland. And have seen photos online of them ... so I know you folks are out there.

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There was a "commercial" edition of the LR4 that had the flat black plastic arches from the factory. That's probably what you saw.

Why not just paint your existing arches?

ryanjl said:

There was a "commercial" edition of the LR4 that had the flat black plastic arches from the factory. That's probably what you saw.

Why not just paint your existing arches?

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Well, they're black, so I guess I could spray paint them dark grey -- but I'm not sure how that'd come out.

One of the things I liked about the LR3 arches is that the plastic they were made of was pretty bulletproof, tough stuff, as opposed to the flimsy material the painted LR4 arches are made from. At least, that's how I remember it. My LR3 arches took all kinds of abuse. If you even lean against the LR4 arches, they make a cracking sound.

And plus I think they look stupid as compared to the plastic ones.

Look on car-part.com for a set off a wrecked LR3.

ryanjl said:

Look on car-part.com for a set off a wrecked LR3.

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That site is insane. Thanks for introducing it.

And it actually did turn up some. Unfortunately they want 90% of new price.

My bet is that the painted arches on the LR4 are just simply the same as the LR3. The cracking sound is probably gloss paint on paint friction. Tape them off and take some gray plastidip to them. That should give you the same rough gray look as the LR3 and beats the crap out of pulling and replacing them.

TheWidup said:

My bet is that the painted arches on the LR4 are just simply the same as the LR3. The cracking sound is probably gloss paint on paint friction. Tape them off and take some gray plastidip to them. That should give you the same rough gray look as the LR3 and beats the crap out of pulling and replacing them.

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Maybe someone who has both can confirm (though I don't know how many D3 and D4 owners are out there) ... or someone that has high parts intelligence. The way I remember it, the LR3 arches were a very dense, heavy duty plastic, while the 4's arches feel super flimsy.

That said, I wouldn't be shocked to find out I've concocted this whole thing in my head.

Plastidip or use a truck bed liner paint.

No local junk yards? Local Craigslist - someone parting out?

There are usually a few posted in SoCal at any given time - not sure about your area.
Then just clean em up with your choice of "black" product.

I've seen a few LR4s that swapped to the black arches before on various forums.
Looked good to me. Search forums and message the owner about process?

I do see some on eBay for under $70/ea with free shipping - piece together a set?
Post WTB on all the forums?

I would stay away from plastic-dip - looks like cr@p to me. Do it right, do it once.
OEM plastic is gonna be way more durable - which seems to be what you want.

Good luck!