... did I hurt your feelings? I am sorry.. that wasn’t my intention, nor did I think you can assume how I was saying this through a computer screen.. wasnt supposed to ruin your day or make you feel upset. Clearly it did. Your opinion is just that... YOUR opinion.. I won’t be hurt , really. Sorry you got hurt. Hug? .. nice hood deflector and runner btw ;)

I plan to go AVS with a little PPF placed in a few strategic spots for good measure when the temps warm up. However, I did have an OEM hood protector on my 05 Limited that I recently sold after I purchased my 2021 ORP. Before letting the 05 Runner go I did check the metal clip mounting points and mylar tape. After 16 years everything was still solid, however I could see where the mylar was pretty much worn through on a few clips and where the clips were touching I was starting to see some surface rust starting. I rarely trusted the OEM protector enough to go through a car wash but up in the great white north in the middle of winter sometimes you just don't have a choice. With that said that's another reason I decided to go AVS on my new Runner (AVS stated car wash safe). However, I did contemplate another OEM protector but I was thinking of ways to protect the paint from the metal clips. If I would have gone the OEM route I planned to double up on the mylar strips/PPF and plastic coat the metal clips. I thought the plastic coat on the clips seemed like a pretty good idea, but I'm sure if it was a good idea you guys on here much smarter than me would have tried it already and none of my searching found anyone that tried it.

ok children, points have been made so move along

Just add a second strip.. should be ok! ;)

but i dont wannaaa..😭

You have made that clear already.

Love the look of this. How will this hold up in a touch car wash? I have an unlimited car wash subscription and probably average 2-3 car washes per week here in wintry WI.

My 4Runner was ceramic coated since new and only gets hand washed. On the other hand, I’ve had an AVS dark smoke one on my wife’s Edge for a year now, and she takes it to a regular car wash once a month and it still looks good. I say, go for it and give it a try. It’s only $43 on Amazon with free shipping (Prime) and is a very simple 10-15 minute install. Good luck with your decision.

Any other long term reviews on these, is there one that doesn't make content with the paint?

For those who installed the AVS 25053, is it smashed between the grill and hood? I had purchased one and had to return it. The only way it would fit would be to raise the hoodlatch / hood stops. Hood would then be higher than the fenders at the front. I tried loosening and moving grill foward, but no more gap was achieved. Moving hood back, I think the deflector would still hit the grill. I have seen posts where people returned them and got a replacement. No mention if it fit or not. The deflector would have to be awfully thin for the gap between the grill and hood. Plus it is curved at that point. To rehash, is it required to do a 2 hand hood close?

I installed my AVS 25053 bought from Amazon, last August. As I said, I did put a bit of PPF around the leading edge of the hood, and the back edge of the grille.

It's not smashed between the hood and grille. I haven't seen an signs of the Deflector making contact with either. The hood is level with the fenders when closed, and the hood closes easily. I didn't make any adjustments to make it fit. I just put on the PPF, (which in my case seems to have been unnecessary) and installed it.

Wonder if I just got a dud? How much gap did you have between the hood and grill before?
I'm lucky to have 3/16".

Maybe need to make an adjustment at the hinges?

I may purchase another and try again. Going to check out some other 4 runners to see how much gap they have.

Mine is at .25"