bowhunter53
Member
For those of you who have the factory spoiler, does it really keep the back window free from dust, rain, etc or is it strictly for looks?
Factory Spoiler
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Even Steven
Guest
99% for looks.
Some people will try to convince you that it is functional, but I think that's a bunch of BS. It may redirect air down over the rear glass, but it's just not going to keep anything off the glass. It does look good, though!!
BTW, I like the signature, but you have to fix it. Read it and you'll see what I mean...
Some people will try to convince you that it is functional, but I think that's a bunch of BS. It may redirect air down over the rear glass, but it's just not going to keep anything off the glass. It does look good, though!!
BTW, I like the signature, but you have to fix it. Read it and you'll see what I mean...
bowhunter53
Member
Thanks, sig fixed. I cant believe they still dont make a functional spoiler for SUV's. My father had a 88 S-10 blazer that had a ugly black metal spoiler on it, but it worked.
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Even Steven
Guest
bowhunter53 said:
That's funny....my father also had an 88 S10 Blazer with the rear spoiler. I didn't think it was ugly though... I kinda liked the flat black look, it reminds me of the 3rd generation 4Runner rear spoilers, but that design just seemed to fit the Blazer better than the 4Runner. I do agree that the Blazer spoiler was effective.
I had a Jeep without the spoiler, and I noticed that the rear got caked with grime, dirt, etc. way faster than my 4Runner. Though the spoiler does not keep the window absolutely clean, it helps it a ton. Especially in the winter when the roads are covered with dirt and slush. Try taking it off and driving without it. You will notice a big difference.
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Even Steven
Guest
p nut said:
I had my spoiler off most of last winter after I accidentally cracked it by opening my rear hatch with skiis on the roof rack (doh!)
To be honest, I didn't notice the rear glass getting any dirtier at all without the spoiler, even after driving through the most crappy weather.
iLLWiLL
New member
I can definitely see the rear spoiler being of great importance in snowy conditions, etc. Luckily, i live in California, though 
I never liked the look of the rear spoiler (seemed like they were trying to turn SUV's into "racers"), and luckily i waited around long enough to find a 4R without the spoiler 
I never liked the look of the rear spoiler (seemed like they were trying to turn SUV's into "racers"), and luckily i waited around long enough to find a 4R without the spoiler
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Even Steven
Guest
p nut said:
The minority? How many people have driven the same 4Runner with and without a rear spoiler? Not too many, I would imagine. Until the people who have decide to chime in, then I wouldn't say that I'm in the minority.
Sorry, but the rear spoiler is 99% looks, and maybe 1% functional.
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Even Steven
Guest
bowhunter53
Member
Proof is in the picture!! I would say 100% looks, 0% functional!!
I dont know how much it exactly does if anything. As far as looks , I could do without it .
My personal opinion is that it was designed to help with the rear window keeping it clean, but agree with Even Steven , not really a help. It might be if you driving in just rain , but add salt spray into the mix and all it does is put the salt spray onto the window.
My personal opinion is that it was designed to help with the rear window keeping it clean, but agree with Even Steven , not really a help. It might be if you driving in just rain , but add salt spray into the mix and all it does is put the salt spray onto the window.
Even Steven said:
We've already had discussions on this before. Do you think this is the first thread on this subject?
Also, I never said that the spoiler, which is actually an air diffuser, was 100% functional. It might serve an aesthetic purpose, but Toyota did put it on there for an actual functioning part. As far as your picture, any rear window will get dirty no matter what. But the diffuser does help and has kept mine and others' rear windows much cleaner.
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Even Steven
Guest
Gio said:
I like the looks of the rear spoiler, so I just replaced the cracked one with a new one. If you have one and want to remove it permanently, you'll definitely have to have the holes filled in and get the rear hatch repainted.
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Even Steven
Guest
p nut said:
There have been tons of thread on this same discussion. I still get a kick out of people who insist that their rear spoilers actually help to keep the rear window clean.
I never implied that you were claiming that the spoiler was 100% functional. Anyone that makes that claim clearly needs to have his or her head examined! I stand by my statement that the rear spoiler is at most 1% functional and 99% aesthetic.
You entitled to your own opinion, so if you feel that your spoiler keeps your rear window cleaner than without it, that's fine. I have the opposite opinion, and that's fine too.
AlphaQup
New member
Opinions opinions. haha I'd have to agree with you Even Steven but only regarding the 03-05 rear spoiler. The 06+ spoiler (the hump) does actually serves its purpose. Just this past weekend, I spent it up in the Sierra Mountains. It was the first time I took my truck out wheelin on some nasty dirt roads. The dirt that settled onto my rear window was immedietly blown away as I picked up speed getting back on the freeway on my way home.
I could care less about looks. I don't even like the hump, but I do like that fact that it keeps my window clear of debris after traveling on the freeway. But then again, this is only my "opinion", so you don't have to take my word for it. :biggrin2:
I could care less about looks. I don't even like the hump, but I do like that fact that it keeps my window clear of debris after traveling on the freeway. But then again, this is only my "opinion", so you don't have to take my word for it. :biggrin2:
iLLWiLL
New member
Even Steven said:Here's a pic of how well the rear spoiler works to keep the rear window clean:
personally i despise the looks of the rear spoiler...
but in all fairness, it appears to me that the mud/dirt/whatever caked on that rear window was splashed from BELOW the rear spoiler itself. Is it just me? It looks like the rear spoiler itself is quite clean, implying that the mud didn't flow over the spoiler, and onto the window... Just my opinion! My observation is probably incorrect...
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Even Steven
Guest
iLLWiLL said:
No, it was definitely not splashed from below. The mess on the back of my 4Runner is basically road salt & dirt from driving on the highway. The whitish stuff under the glass is from me using the rear window washer & wiper every 10 minutes so that I could actually see through the window. A ton of the washer fluid dripped down the back of the 4Runner and made it look like that.
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Even Steven
Guest
AlphaQup said:
Do you think the dust that settled on your rear window would have stayed there if you hit the freeway without the rear spoiler?
I seriously doubt it
: I think you're giving the rear spoiler far too much credit. But like I said, everyone is entitled to his own opinion. I'm glad you find your hump useful, LOL.