Do the 03 Bug Deflectors Really Work?

C

Capitan

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Hi,
I'm seriously considering ordering a bug deflector for my 03. I'm getting sick and tired of these stinkin' Italian bugs obscuring my view every time I go over 50 miles an hour.

What is the consensus? Do your bug deflectors do the job?
Thanks,
Jon
 
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Not at all, I still had smear all over my windshield. The deflector just positioned the splashes higher on the roof line.
 
I noticed that the Toyota bug deflector is a bit "lower profile" than the WeatherTech one I purchased from MacNiel Products. I wonder if THAT may be the difference? I got the deflector to help prevent chipping from sand/gravel/etc to supplement the clearbra and it seems to be doing it's job.
 
I have a Toyota shield sitting in the box in my garage. I had it on there for about a month and hated it. It didn't make that big of a difference and I wasn't crazy about the look, so I took it off.
 
Bug Deflector Installation...

Is it easy to install? I haven't seen many 4runners in the NY area with these deflectors. Are they easy to take off? I was thinking about one of these, particularly the one that the dealer has, I was reluctant to buy it because I think they come off easy(good target for thieves where I work) and the way it's installed. It is probably connected right on the hood. If you have close up pics, can you post them? Thanks.:bat:
 
I would not be easy for them to steal. You have tgo take the grill out and place clips between the grill and the hood, so the firs thing they would have to do is get you hood open, then take out the 6 or 8 bolts holding the clips.

Sorry I don't have any pictures....just a bug shield in the box in my garage.....:)
 
Thanks very much for replying to my posting so quickly and nicely. By the way, I followed your postings on the Sylvania bulbs and purchased the bulbs. It was a great upgrade. Thanks again. :bouncy:
 
I am thinking about putting on a hood deflector. I want one that does not touch the paint or put little bumpers on the hood. Can anyone comment on this or post some good pics of the Toyota deflector installed?
 
Weathertech bug deflector

I never put those little bumpers on the hood -- I put them on the rear of the deflector! BTW, I purchased a weathertech bug shield from MacNeil Automotive (www.mats.com). While it fits fine and installs similar to how the Toyota one installs, (and doesn't come anywhere near touching the vehicle), it seems to "bow down" slightly in the middle when looking out over the hood. Not really noticible when looking AT the vehicle. Not sure it's by design or not, but the Toyota looks to be more form fitting..
 
i ran a search and only found three threads on hood deflectors which didnt answer my question..

how tough are these hood deflectors? for example, MacNeil's hood deflector is advertised as "virtually indestructible" and is actually carried by our toyota dealership here.. is it safe to go through a car wash?
 
I think it would be ok to go through a brush-less car wash, but I think a car wash with brushes would eat it up..........not to mention they are just bad for the paint.:mad:
 
momo.75 said:
I would not be easy for them to steal. You have tgo take the grill out and place clips between the grill and the hood, so the firs thing they would have to do is get you hood open, then take out the 6 or 8 bolts holding the clips.

Sorry I don't have any pictures....just a bug shield in the box in my garage.....:)
Click to expand...

Does that mean that if you decide to take off the hood protector, you would have permanent holes in the grill or the hood? I am thinking about getting one, but I am not sure if it is worth the money.
 
I had a GTS Bug (GT Styling) deflector on my last vehicle-- a Honda CRV. It matched the hood contour and fit under the hood and then attached with 6 or 8 3m (velcro-like) dots. It stayed on well and I think prevented some amount of rock nicks to the hood. I liked the way it looked. Here are a couple of things I learned from that particlular bug deflector:
- It didn't touch the hood (was raised up by the velcro), but it did catch "junk" under it (leaves, pine needles, etc). You need to clean that periodlically and make sure nothing is scratching the finish.
- The 3m fasteners-- they were that clear really strong stuff-- over time and use got brittle and lost its grip. The adhesive on the back of it was pretty tough to remove when I needed to replace the dot. The finish seemed to survive, but I hated the effort.

The net is, the product was good, I liked the look, it may have saved some chips on the hood, but it was kind of a pain to deal with.
 
Mark86 said:
Does that mean that if you decide to take off the hood protector, you would have permanent holes in the grill or the hood? I am thinking about getting one, but I am not sure if it is worth the money.
Click to expand...


Mark86 -- Nah. If you get a decent brand, the bug shield won't leave any permanent holes or require any new holes or even directly touch the paint. I have a Lund one, and it just got screwed into existing holes and rested on little plastic sticker things that keep it from touching the paint. There were a few other parts as well, but the main point is - no, you won't have any permanent holes in the grill or the hood other than any holes you have right now. Just make sure when you are buying one that you get one that doesn't require any drilling. :) Hope this helps...
 
Thanks. Definitely does help. I am going to look around and see which brands I like the best. I know the parts department at my dealer is selling on for around $100.
 
this is the one I have on my '03 -- it is made by Lund and costs ~$62. my understanding is that the toyota ones are exactly the same except that they are more expensive and say 'toyota' on them.

http://etruckaccessories.com/prod.plx/33/1059/210?f1=TOYOTA&f4=2003&f2=4RUNNER

it looks like this:

rack2.jpg


lots of people over at yotatech also have EGR's which are around $84:

http://www.bestdarnparts.com/superguard.html


you may want to check into the above mentioned bug shields - they're a lot like the toyota ones - but less expensive, and some people actually would say the EGR's mount better as well.
 
4route, for some reason I can't see your pictures anymore? Maybe it is just me? Anyway, does the Lund screw into the rubber plugs in the hood? Do they seem to hold ok?
 
HuntRunner ... sorry about the pics, it isn't just you - I took them down, but I will put them back up and I have the directions for the Lund bug shield, would you like me to scan them for you this evening??? It would be easy and I'd be more than happy if it would help! :)
 
Sure, if it's not too much trouble. I was curious about the attachment because one of my rubber plugs is missing. If the screw needs that to be tightened, then I will need to replace it. Thanks!
 
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