Does the rear spoiler do anything?

P

pipspeak

Member
Question... does the rear spoiler on 4Runners (03-06) actually do anything worthwhile? Like smooth out eddies, create a downdraft, etc. Or is it 95% cosmetic?

Just wondering.
 
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cosmetic....mainly but it does help to keep the rear glass less contaminant prone by forcing air down the back.

Now the question is, which one of the 2 spoilers that the 4runner can come with do more?
 
The Spoiler with the hump, actually does work...IT captures air..and pushes the air down to:

1. When it rains, helps the water bead right off the glass..AS A RESULT...don't need to use my rear wiper as much.

2. Create air flow at higher speeds 40+ to push the air down thus making the exhaust go down towards the ground, thus no sulfer smell, thus driving with rear window down is not as bad.

3. You can tell the difference from far away in a parking lot if it is your 4runner or not...Mine '06 with hump...Others NO hump...etc.
Haha

I actually don't think the spoiler with the hump is cosmetic. It is actually effective...
 
What it does for me is not allow me to car top my canoe because my canoe touches it when its on the roof rack. I had to make a budget canoe rack so that it wouldn't touch the spoiler.
 
Does the rear spoiler do anything? Yes --- it makes the back of our vehicles not look so plain and boring (and it may keep some rain off of the back glass...)
 
I find that it traps a bit of debris on the top of the back glass. And I find it hard to clean the back glass with the spoiler in the way. BUT, it looks good...
 
I love it...i love how SE TX is behind the times all the time. I have a early 05 build with the old rear spoiler on it, and thank god. I have how the newer versions look.
 
UoD said:
Does the rear spoiler do anything? Yes --- it makes the back of our vehicles not look so plain and boring (and it may keep some rain off of the back glass...)
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Agreed. I think it makes the Runner look so much better.
 
The spoiler grows on you, especially the re-designed one. When I see a 4Runner without one, something looks wrong!

Koz
 
Re: Re: Spoiler Good

PolkManiac said:
i disagree, and apparently I'm the only one - but I just don't like the way they look...
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:iagree:

Ugly, pointless, and worthless as tits on a bull.
 
NOT! Show some proof.
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Its called physics.

Spoilers create drag on the SUV. This drag is engineered for a purpose. So far everyone has given examples of the purposes of the drag. (keep rear window cleaner, less sulfer smell, downforce on rear wheels at high speed)

more drag = less mpg
 
My spoiler adds +15 to my hp (hitpoints, not horsepower ..)

//I played too many games when I was a kid ...
 
OffRDR said:
Its called physics.

Spoilers create drag on the SUV. This drag is engineered for a purpose. So far everyone has given examples of the purposes of the drag. (keep rear window cleaner, less sulfer smell, downforce on rear wheels at high speed)

more drag = less mpg
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that some spoilers on some cars actually serve to smooth out turbulence eddies created at the rear of vehicles, thus actually reducing drag. However, most seem to do as you point out above, and actually increase drag.

With a car like the 4Runner that has the aerodynamics of a brick, however, I'm sure any extra drag is negligible to the point of unmeasureable.
 
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