So I've just picked up a 95 Limited and I got a great deal on it. Pictures will go up on the pictures thread after I clean it up. The catch is that it has been sitting in the woods for a long time and has a nice collection of leaves and pine and whatnot that have collected all over it. I've already started cleaning most of it up but wasn't sure about the wiper cowl panel. There's a few exposed screws when I lift the hood but is it really that easy? Are there any concerns I should have with regards to the windshield? I checked here in the forums and did some generic google searches and really didn't find much. Any help would be appreciated.

--CHenson

yep .. it's that easy ...

remove your wiper arms , lift the hood and remove 2 screws .. and the the clips on the weatherstrip

..

just for referance .. toyotafiberglass-keepin' the drive alive
We have a "smoothie" cowl that stops all the "crap" from getting in your cowl, will easly pay for itself in rust repairs later ..




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Thanks for the information Slacker. Very cool. OK, so I have to ask, I understand the aesthetic improvement with your "smoothie cowl" but isn't the vented cowl from the factory done so for a reason? Just curious.

Pulling the cowl tomorrow morning.....

yeah .. not only esthetic , but functional as well ..


If you have ever had your fenders off , you'll see large drain holes .. + there are "other" holes for the heater to draw air ..
I guess the only negative i see .. is the "fresh air vent" option on your heater controls .. during the summer months , when you have the heater on "fresh/vent" , you wont get as much air flow , but who has there windows rolled up in the summer ?

the positives , are much greater though !!

cowl is a "sore" spot for rust .. because of leaves , needles , snow , ect , ect.. getting in and "clogging' the drains .. our smoothie keeps ALL the crap out , and your cowl clean .. in the winter .. ever had that burst of snow in the vents when you turn on your heater ? This cowl will also stop that ..

I have had mine on my truck now for 10 years .. In the summer , my windows are always open anyways .. winter , My heater works just fine .... I love it



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I understand Slacker. Thanks for the input.

BTW, 3 screws and 2 clips later and I was done. Easy. Thanks for the guidance on that as well.

--CHenson

On my 1990 4Runner, I removed the three Phillips screws. I used a slotted body-panel trim tool to lift out the two retaining plugs at each end (which hold the rubber gasket strip and cowl cover in place). That took gentle but firm and steady pressure to pry each up.

I could not get the wiper arms to come off their mounts. So I had to lift the cowl cover as much as possible and, using a narrow crevice-cleaning attachment on my Shop-Vac hose, vacuumed out years of pine needles and etc. It took a bit of time, making sure not to bend the cowl cover. But I got it done.

I purchased ($4) Toyota-specific replacement body-panel retaining plugs at the local auto parts store and had it all back together in minutes.