I had my 4Runner parked in the yard for a day, I have a lot of red squirrels (they are very small) and one decided to take up residence in my 4Runner, above the blower. Fortunately I caught it before any damage, I think. I had to build a mesh cover for the air intake on my Tacoma, I had the same thing happen to it, but it looks like the cover to the cabin air intake is a bit more complicated than my Taco. I know I'm not the first, there are other posts, but has anyone posted directions on how to remove the cover to get to the air intake?

Here are some threads on the subject:

Cabin Air filter filthy

In-Cabin Air filter Debri

Rodent in the engine

Thanks Bossman, I saw all of these, but none of them describe how to remove the housing to get to the cabin air intake. If I'm the first, perhaps I'll take some pics and just figure it out along the way!

Here is a thread (from the 4th Gen section) on how one forum member did a modification to keep the rodents out.

Checked my cabin air filter.....u gotta be kidding me!

Let's just ask @BlackWorksInc

He's done this ...

You have to remove the windshield wipers then the black plastic cowl, then you will have acess to the fresh air intake where he or she probably been entering thru
Look for blackworksinc write up

OP...Are you asking how to remove the wiper cowl? I just did that to my
2011 two days ago. If so, you have to pop off the caps covering the wiper arm nut which is a 14mm size if I'm not mistaken. You may have to wiggle arm gently as you pull up. Passenger side was easier for me
to remove with hood up & driver's side with hood down. The cowl has a
plastic push down fastner on each side that needs to be removed. The
rubber shaped end pieces snap onto the cowl. I took the passenger side
off. I left the driver's side on and just disconnected it from cowl.
You can now pull cowl gently upward as it has about 6-7 clips. I used a long
slotted screwdiver to push tabs inward as I pulled up. Didn't want to chance
breaking one. Putting all together is reverse. Very easy.

Attached Images

         

PERFECT! Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

My pleasure. If you look at my thread "dead rodent smell in 4runner" which is on pg5 by now, you'll see good advice/ideas posted.
@BlackWorksInc is a subject matter expert and posted good info
as well as a link showing an installed screen. Good luck. I know I need
it in the quest of finding where the smell is originating in my truck.

Yeah I do a lot of rodent cars when winter ends usually.

I finally got off my lazy ass and installed one on my 4th gen. The 5th gens appear to have a similar shaped opening.



Zombie Truck 2.0 MPAV Build!

Does this have to be flat or can I slope it a little to get the leaves to slide off? I park wet trees a lot and that's what tends to get in my filter.

You could probably slope it if you wanted. Just sorta leave a bit extra and "pitch a tent" in the middle and use a self-tapping screw into the firewall.

I just don't do it that way because I like to reduce as much hole-drilling into the firewall as possible.