Factory Spoiler

The current spoilers (2005 - present) do serve a purpose.

It helps directs airflow down along the rear window. This is to help keep exhaust out of the cabin when, (despite written warnings otherwise) we roll our rear windows down while driving.

A side affect (it might acutally be the MAIN function) is the spoiler reduces the sulfur smell inside the cabin.

It also helps minimize the amount of dirt, water, and other debris on the rear window area.

I actually like the looks of a 4Runner with a spoiler (with or without the hump). The truck looks sportier with it.

And we all know the spoiler adds 15 HP to our trucks!!! :biggrin2:
 
snap315 said:
The current spoilers (2005 - present) do serve a purpose.

It helps directs airflow down along the rear window. This is to help keep exhaust out of the cabin when, (despite written warnings otherwise) we roll our rear windows down while driving.

A side affect (it might acutally be the MAIN function) is the spoiler reduces the sulfur smell inside the cabin.

It also helps minimize the amount of dirt, water, and other debris on the rear window area.

I actually like the looks of a 4Runner with a spoiler (with or without the hump). The truck looks sportier with it.

And we all know the spoiler adds 15 HP to our trucks!!! :biggrin2:
Click to expand...

Sure....everything you said is subjective though. Like I said, everyone is entitled to his opinion. Hump or no hump, the spoiler is for looks!

I would love for someone to prove that the spoiler is effective for doing anything you mentioned above. BTW, I highly doubt the spoiler was designed to keep the sulfer smell out of the cabin, but that's the funniest response yet!
 
When I first saw the humped spoiler for 2005+ 4Runners, I didn't like it and it looked like a turbin for the 4Runner. However, like AlphaQup, IMO, the spoiler does work at keeping the rear window clean. I was driving back earlier this year from the Sierras and I didn't use my rear wiper (for that matter, I've never used the rear wiper, it probably doesn't work for all I know). I saw another 4th gen without the rear spoiler on the way down and he had the rear wiper going every so often. I thought to myself, the spoiler does work, cause I can see just fine out the back window.

I'm sticking with it works at keeping the back window clean and that's my final answer. :D
 
Even Steven..... out of curiosity, did you buy your truck with a spoiler or without? Oh and was it the hump or humpless spoiler if applicable?
 
It would be fairly easy to verify that the spoiler does what Toyota probably designed it to do (reduce exhaust fumes in the cabin & reduce debris buildup on the rear window).

All someone needs is:

- A Wind Meter (Kestrel or similar).
- GPS Unit to record speeds and times.
- Similar 4Runners except for the spoiler (1 with/1 without).

Now, I have the first 2 items. All I need is a non-Spoiler equipped 4Runner. I guess I could use one off a dealers lot to do the test.

The test would be simple. Drive both 4Runners along the same path with the rear window down. Have the Wind Meter either attached or held out the back window to measure wind speed and airflow. Use the GPS to record the data of all runs (average/maximum speeds, distance, duration, etc).

I really don't feel the need to perform these test since I already beleive the spoiler (A) looks great, and (B) does what Toyota intended it to do.

;):

Of course, I know someone will want hard data.
 
well I don't know about the exhaust fumes as I smell it at times. but that may just to be issue that I need to take it in for service. I like it for looks and if it does help in any other way well thats even better right> :)
 
My 07 V-8 4X4 has the port installed spoiler. The back window has never gotten dirty and I average 33 mpg in the city!
 
mrwebb said:
My 07 V-8 4X4 has the port installed spoiler. The back window has never gotten dirty and I average 33 mpg in the city!
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33mpg? Are you one of the guys using acetone???
 
Even Steven said:
Here's a pic of how well the rear spoiler works to keep the rear window clean:
Click to expand...


Steven, was this messy back window was just a one time thing? Or would you say this typically happens to you?
 
mrwebb said:
I average 33 mpg in the city!
Click to expand...

You have got to be kiddin' me...:bonk:

But anyways yeah i love the 4runner with the spoiler, i didn't really care if it had a purpose or not it just looks complete.. without it looks to plain to me.. but to each his own:cheers:
 
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iLLWiLL said:
Steven, was this messy back window was just a one time thing? Or would you say this typically happens to you?
Click to expand...

A one time thing? No....my rear window gets dirty every time I'm driving on the highway in crappy weather. And believe me when I say that the same thing happens to every other 4Runner on the road, whether it has any rear spoiler or none at all!

I think we need to do a side-by-side test to prove this debate. Once the really crappy winter weather sets in, I'll volunteer to meet up with any spoiler-less 4Runner owner in my area. We'll both clean our rear windows with glass cleaner and paper towels, and then drive on a wet highway for 5 miles. If my window is any cleaner than the window of 4Runner without the spoiler, I'll buy the guy a free tank of gas! I'm in the metro NY area.

Any takers?
 
I like the look of the spoiler, but then again i guess you could call me the racer type as i do also have a modified 90' 300ZX Twin-Turbo, im the "sporty type"

Spoilers are functional, it helps with zero lift during high speeds (read as more then 130mph+) well at least on my Z it is functional. :D

P7220141.jpg~original
 
Just kidding about the 33 mpg. I actually like my spoiler but not really sure about it helping anything. I've been pleasantly surprised about my actual mileage. My V-8 4X4 is still breaking in (1500 miles) and I'm averaging just over 20 mpg combined city/highway. 70% city miles. I'm easy on the pedal though.
 
mrwebb said:
Just kidding about the 33 mpg. I actually like my spoiler but not really sure about it helping anything. I've been pleasantly surprised about my actual mileage. My V-8 4X4 is still breaking in (1500 miles) and I'm averaging just over 20 mpg combined city/highway. 70% city miles. I'm easy on the pedal though.
Click to expand...
damn, what am I doing wrong? :confused: I'm at 1900 miles, but only at 19.1 mpg.......and i'm totally baby'ing my 4Runner (average speed at 30 mph)...and i probably do 40% city miles
 
I'll have to find the article, but I do remember people complaining about the exhaust fumes getting inside the cabin, because the aero-dynamics of the 4Runner(or lack thereof :D) directs the fumes upwards and back to the vehicle. The air diffuser (spoiler) directs this down and out. That's one of the other reasons why Toyota put it on the 4Runner. Again, I'll have to dig up the article to verify this, but that's what I remember.

Either way, you have to ask yourself if the "spoiler" is only for looks, why would they have pointed it almost straight up and down? Looks almost like some kid slapped it on there. If anything, they would've put them flat, like regular spoilers, and mounted it on TOP of the roof. They put the same "spoilers" on Sienna's and other minivans. I highly doubt that they're trying to appease the "sporty" crowd among mothers-of-4.
 
small guy talk...

Hi guys, i see you guys talking bout the new runners spoiler or humps or whatever u calling it. I have a 98 T4R with a "spoiler" and i don't know if it helps to keep my window any cleaner coz i dun see too much dirt on my windows, but for 3rd Gen runners, i thought the spoiler was to stabilize the rear on high speeds because of the air sensitivity at high speed. But thats what i think.

As fas the the rear window cleaning goes, i dun think so. Good luck :bigok:
 
I always assumed that it functioned to keep the rear window clean, otherwise why would Toyota made the 4Runners spoiler so darn thick, and later with a hump. If you look at the spoilers on the Sequoia, GX, RX or Highlander, their spoilers actually look thinner and more sporty. The 4Runner's looked more like an appendage. Just my opinion.

:D
 
I took the 4 Runner out yesterday afternoon in the rain to test out disabling the traction control. I have the 05 spoiler (aftermarket) and the rain was being pushed down the back window. I was actually quite amazed at how well it worked.
 
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