Floor liners, window tints and clear bra.

 

Those three would be my main essentials. Crazy thing is they are all "lite weight" add-ons, so they won't hurt your gas mileage.


Body side moldings offer some benefit also.


BTW--here in Denver the Moulin Rouge color seems to be a big hit. In the last month I have seen, 6 Moulin Rouge, 2 Blizzard Pearl, and 1 Pre-dawn grey mica.

 

Hitch, tints(for heat, and glare off the radio screen), seat covers to protect the leather and or keep legs from burning in hot climates. Floor matts/cargo liner, debadge or minimise chrome emblems and accents/window trim, depending on your taste.

Uhaul hitch is = to Curt hitch and is the least expensive of the hitch options I know of. I would recommend the Hidden hitch as you dont see the cross bar from behind the car. It also doesn't ruin the clean straight line of the bumper by adding a OEM hitch. Also a personal preferecen, as the OEM creates a somewhat useful step, at the same time to have something sticking out past the bumper and run your knee into if you wash your own car, or happen to be a bit distracted in thought.

There will be a personal preference, and neither one is right or wrong, except in esthetic design, the OEM is wrong and more of an adaptive afterthought. So the least obtrusive solution is the Hidden hitch.

Then perhaps add a window mount for cell, or some way to hold a phone or GPS if you prefer to use one. Stereo maybe?

 

Congratulations on your car, i just got my XLE on thursday.

I have, the FloorMats, Cross Bars, Wheel Locks, Side Moldings, Mud Guards, OE Remote Start and Cargo Cover.

I also on the side bought the Curt Hitch and Wiring Harness from autoanything.com where others had done their purchases. It came to just over 130 (after coupon that they are always offering at different percentages) shipped to my door. I have not had a chance to install just yet.

i dont currently have anything other than the Cargo net that i am considering

 

If you had purchased the Limited or Platinum Limited you would not have needed to order the wheel locks. :grin: Most people on this forum will understand.

 

Hi All,
I got a new Highlander XLE this week! I did not get any options/accessories from Toyota because I figured it was more expensive that way.

Now I want to install after market accessories. What do you guys think are the essential accessories for a Highlander. So far this is what I have:

1. Roof Racks: I was surprised XLE did not come with roof racks even though the specs said it would. The salesman said it only meant the 'facility' to install roof racks, and I should get cross bars. Hmm.
2. Hitch: Want to get Uhaul Hitch; please advise if I should not. Its a bit expensive than expected though: http://www.uhaul.com/Locations/Trailer-Hitches-near-Olathe-KS-66062/853025/

Please post your list of essential/favorite after market accessories for the Highlander!

I thought the XLE had the receded roof rack from the factory? Maybe thats just the limited model.

Personally, I pre-ordered my Limited AWD Nautical Blue with splash guards and side rail bars. The other accessories I am getting for cost from the dealer include cross bars, all weather mats and cargo liner. Didn't see much point in the clear bra or side body moldings.

 

Weathertech floor liners (they replace your floor mats, not cover them).

 

@General Klinger:

the XLE and Limited, Plat have a roof rail channel/side rails that are SUPPOSED to give you multiple mount points for your cross bars. But on the 3rd gen its just for looks, or a very limited addition with one additional mount point.

The older HL have a open rail that you can place the crossbars freely.

 

Congratulations on your new XLE! Our XLE AWD will soon be six months old, and we still enjoy it very much.

In terms of accessories, ours was delivered with the optional factory hitch, floor mats, mud flaps, and roof-rack cross-bars. We wanted all of these items except the cross-bars, which I removed. I'll soon be offering the complete cross-bar kit (p/n PT278-48140, including hardware and installation tool) for sale, hopefully via local pickup or delivery.

Here's a picture of our XLE showing the installed cross-bars:

I've bought the rear bumper protector (p/n PU060-48214-P1), and it will be installed soon now that warmer weather is here.

We installed WeatherTech all-weather floor mats and cargo liner. Note that the cargo liner is a single "slab", and it does not split or fold when you raise the rear seat back(s).

Finally, I really dislike temporary spare tires, so I may soon order a full-size wheel and tire from Tire Rack.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

I added Weathertech floorliners (front and second row), tint matched the front two door windows to match the OEM rears, clear bra installed on entire front end and lower door panels, oem rear bumper cover (functional and looks good as it matches the other chromtech items). I though the back of the car was otherwise kind of plain so the bumper protector improved the back cosmetically IMO.
I also added V3 Triton LED brake and signal lights front and rear. For a modern sort of expensive vehicle the Highlander really lacks in modern lighting category. I fixed that

 

One important addition I forgot is the hitch cargo rack. It has a number of features that the roof rack cross bars cannot offer....

Here is the one I got:
Curt 18100 Aluminum Cargo Carrier with Folding Shank

So if you didn't get the cross bars and you see this being more useful for your particular needs...I recommend it from use on a couple trips already.

 

Is there a good source for Toyota accessories and parts other than the dealer?

 

Check the Toyota Nations Supporting Vendors forum and look for Toyota of Cool Springs. Roman's been great help. I found his prices to be significantly cheaper than my local dealer and that included shipping. PM him for the shipped pricing. I bought all of my accessories through him and I'm now buying the maintenance items through him too.

 

I have the hidden hitch, should have got the OEM. Wheel locks, mud flaps, Weathertech rear cargo mat and front floor mats.

 

Wheel locks???

What do you mean by wheel locks ?

 

My aftermarket essential was a proper stereo system. So far I have a good chunk done!

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/333-3rd-generation-2014/1139777-basic-stereo-upgrade.html

 

my 2014 LE came with wheel locks, if yours didn't get some, it will slow down someone from taking your wheels, if you have to replace them very expensive for your insurance company !

 

Wheel tint & body side molding.

 

Here is my list of aftermarket upgrades on my 2014 HL Hybrid Limited:

- PlastiDip all Exterior chrome
- OEM door protectors
- Driver/Passenger window tint
- 3M hood paint protector
- 22 inch Niche M126 black rims
- BMW style LED taillights
- LED fog light bulbs
- LED rear license plate bulbs
- Xenon headlight bulbs
- LED interior bulbs
- WeatherTech floor mats
- rear cargo protector OEM
- Viper alarm/starter

 

This build kinda makes me regret not getting black

Here is my list of aftermarket upgrades on my 2014 HL Hybrid Limited:

- PlastiDip all Exterior chrome
- OEM door protectors
- Driver/Passenger window tint
- 3M hood paint protector
- 22 inch Niche M126 black rims
- BMW style LED taillights
- LED fog light bulbs
- LED rear license plate bulbs
- Xenon headlight bulbs
- LED interior bulbs
- WeatherTech floor mats
- rear cargo protector OEM

 

Here's what I've added to my 2014 XLE:
OEM Running Boards
Stainless Steel Window posts
Stainless Steel Side View Mirror upgrade
Custom designed graphics
Woodgrain Dash/Interior
Molded Floor covers
LED Running Lights
Chrome Fog Light brows
Chrome Grill
Chrome Headlight highlights
Chrome Lift gate accent/Stoplight covers
3M Clear Bra
Window tint (still in the tube but going on soon)

 

This whole thing sounds really bad..
Pictures?

 

Where did you get your chrome and stainless steel upgrades?

 

My '14 HL upgrades :
- tint front side windows to match rear side windows factory tint
- dark tint the top 6" of windshield
- Curt 2" trailer hitch and Go Rhino 360B hitch bar
- LED "BMW-style" tail lights
- OEM body side molding
- OEM cargo mat
- Lamin-X pre-cut yellow color film over fog lights
- removed all chrome words & letters off rear hatch

 

I really like having the running boards, body side moldings and cross bars. I am interested in low budget recommendations for a snowboard carrier that works with the cross bars, preferably able to carry 4 boards.

I'm also looking to put the 3m film on but haven't found a place that does it, do most people get it at the dealer?

 

I bought the OEM running boards from China for $345.00 and installed them myself. I also bought the 3M clear film bra from Ebay and had a local sign shop install. Look for the type that offer vehicle
wraps since it is the same thing only clear.

 

good to know, thanks!

 

Here's a few.

 

This one shows some aftermarket LED Running lights I installed a few weeks back. Once they were on I decided they are not bright enough so I decided to make my own (on left) with some 5W lights
and the original plastic running light holder. Let me know what you think!

 

Nice upgrades.
Where did you buy those LED lights, and how was installation?

 

Dat chrome.. Are you, by chance, a belieber? I heard he's into that kind of thing.
Props on the running light though. Looks clean.

 

^ made me laugh. lol.

Chrome! Chrome! Chrome! :facepalm:

liked the DLR tho.