Quick answer
Three categories of exterior trim worth thinking about on a 2nd or 3rd gen Hilux Surf: window visors / weathershields (lets you crack the windows in rain, NZ$80–$200 a set, no drilling), factory-style stripes and decals (restores the JDM look, NZ$50–$300 depending on coverage), and exterior trim pieces (badges, mouldings, mirror caps for replacing damaged or yellowed plastic). Window visors are the single most useful exterior accessory, they're cheap, useful, and the install is double-sided tape. Decals are aesthetic only but matter to anyone restoring the original JDM look.
Window visors / weathershields
Also called wind deflectors, weathershields, or rain visors. These are the smoked acrylic strips that fit over the top of your door windows.
What they do: - Let you crack the windows for ventilation in rain without water coming in - Reduce wind buffeting at speed - Reduce sun glare on side windows - Cosmetically, the JDM Surf look isn't complete without them
What to look for: - Tape mount vs in-channel, tape mount is the most common and most reversible. In-channel slides into the door rubber and looks tidier but can scratch the door frame on removal. - Smoked tint, light smoke is the most popular for matching the JDM look. Dark smoke is more aggressive. - Per-gen fitment, KZN130 and KZN185 use different curves on the side glass, so the visors aren't interchangeable.
We stock 3rd gen options in our Weathershields collection.
Install: clean the door frame with isopropyl alcohol, peel the backing off the supplied tape, position carefully, press firmly. Don't open or close the door for 24 hours after install.
Factory stripes and decals
The 2nd and 3rd gen Surfs came with a range of factory side stripes, depending on trim and model year. The most common patterns:
- SSR-X side stripe, a single body-side stripe in contrasting colour. Simple, instantly recognisable as JDM.
- SSR-X Wide flare graphics, bold side stripes that integrate with the wide-body fender flares.
- SSR-G chrome side strip, not a sticker but worth mentioning. Top-trim KZN185s had a chrome strip down the side that often gets damaged or removed by previous owners.
For owners restoring an original look, replacement decals are widely available. We stock factory-style options in our Factory Stripes & Decals collection.
Install tip: stripe install is genuinely tricky. Vinyl wrap technique applies, use a soap-and-water mix to position, squeegee out air bubbles, trim with a sharp blade. Most professional installers charge NZ$200–$400 to fit a full set. Worth it unless you've done vinyl before.
Stickers, livery and badge work
Outside the factory restoration crowd, modern decals and livery are popular for owners building character into their truck. We stock a range in the Stickers collection for 3rd Gen and the broader Surf Syndicate Merch & Stickers collection.
For badge replacement (the front grille badge, the rear "Hilux Surf" lettering, the Toyota oval), JDM-spec badges are available aftermarket but check shipping carefully. Genuine Toyota badges through the OEM channel are expensive.
Bonnet protectors
A bonnet protector (the smoked acrylic shield that mounts over the leading edge of the bonnet) deserves its own mention. Function: catches small stones, bugs, and bird droppings before they hit the paint. Aesthetic: matches the smoked window visor look.
We stock direct-fit options for the 3rd gen in the Bonnet Protectors collection, and there's a 2nd gen option in the 2nd Gen Bonnet Protectors collection as well. Linked to the live Hilux Surf bonnet protector product.
Mirror caps, body trim, badges
For owners replacing yellowed or cracked plastic trim:
- Mirror caps, the OE textured plastic mirror caps fade and crack with age. Aftermarket painted or chrome replacements are common.
- Body side mouldings, the rubberised strips down the body sides. Replacements available; install is bonded with double-sided tape.
- Door handles, KZN130/KZN185 outer door handles can crack. Genuine Toyota handles are still available; aftermarket exists too.
- Front grille, the 3rd Gen Front Grill collection and 2nd Gen Front Grill collection have replacement and upgrade options.
Where to source parts
Start with the Exterior Accessories collection (64 products) for the broad range. Specific categories:
- Weathershields for 3rd Gen
- Bonnet Protectors for 3rd Gen and 2nd Gen
- Factory Stripes & Decals
- Stickers for 3rd Gen
Related reading
- KZN185 Hilux Surf Guide, full owner's guide to the 3rd gen.
- KZN130 Hilux Surf Owner's Bible, full owner's guide to the 2nd gen.
- Best Bull Bars for the Hilux Surf, front-end build options.
FAQ
Do window visors fit on a left-hand-drive Hilux Surf the same as a right-hand-drive? Yes, visors are mirror-symmetric in design. Same kit fits LHD and RHD imports.
Can I install window visors myself? Yes, they're tape-mount on the door frame. 30-minute job per side. Clean the surface with alcohol, peel and stick.
Will SSR-X stripes fit my SSR-G truck? The body panels are the same, so yes, though if your SSR-G has the chrome side strip, you'll need to remove that first.
Where do I find factory JDM badges for a Hilux Surf? Genuine Toyota parts via dealer special-order, or aftermarket reproductions through specialist parts importers. We stock some, check the Exterior Accessories collection.
Do bonnet protectors hurt fuel economy? Not measurably, they're profiled to redirect airflow and the drag impact is in the noise.
