Found! Front End Mask (Bra) for 2006+ 4Runner

[fetcher]

Yes, you read right.

Forget what you've read on other forums. Forget what Toyota has told people when they called. Forget resigning yourself to having to shell out several hundred dollars for the occasionally problematic, over-priced, glorified saran wrap known as the "clear bra" or "invisible bra".

Covercraft offers a two-piece bra specifically for the late 4th gen (06/07). SKU MM43196. This is one of the few masks you can order directly from the company itself but I found it for significantly less through www.carcoverusa.com (who was kind enough to supply the catalog image).

No, I am not affiliated with either company. Just a chick who wants to share her finding as widely as possible since there is a lack of information out there regarding the availability of a mask for these vehicles. This is the only mask I could find after devoting literally several days to the singular task of scouring the Internet. If you know of additional companies offering a mask that will fit - feel free to add!

FYI - those Toyota-affiliated websites claiming they have a 2006 (hence 2007) Toyota front end mask part # PT218-89030 with an associated image that looks like a '06 front end in said mask? That would be wrong per two different companies listing the part for sale. It will only fit '03-'05.

I will be posting this information on other forums. I will also post clearer pictures once mine arrives and I install it to check for and verify fit.

Spread the word.

fetch

 

[fetcher]

Update

Ordered on a Sunday, had it by the following Friday.

If I may offer some constructive criticism:

1. It would be nice if the vinyl covered all the way to/into the tire wells. Yes, I understand the purpose is to allow for stretching when heated in the summer. However, the bras where the vinyl actually extends past the well lip and uses existing screws as anchors appears to offer a better/tighter/smoother fit. At least when compared side by side with a factory Escape mask with this feature.

2. The pattern is not cut quite right in order to properly cover the paint below the headlights if you attach as directed. If you follow instructions and attach the J-clips, the paint is exposed. If you modify it like I did, then the two J-clips are nonfunctional. Modification entailed heating with a hairdryer and "punching" the vinyl with a rounded object (I used a pestle) until it conformed enough that closing the hood did not take the vinyl down with it.

3. The instructions leave something to be desired. I've included pictures of exactly where to attach the hook tape and friction buckle as a result.

Other than that, I am still absolutely ecstatic I found a company still offering a front end mask/bra for later model 4Runners. I do plan to send Covercraft my feedback; hopefully they'll find it useful.

I didn't install the hood portion because I intend to use a "Canadian-style" deflector instead. Just waiting for that order to get un-FUBAR'd (different story, different thread).

Regardless, it will serve the purpose it was purchased for; to keep gravel used to "sand" the roads from dinging the crap out of the painted fascia during the winter and for cross country trips.

I believe if you follow the directions RE: periodic waxing underneath and removing to dry if its going to be exposed to extreme heat/sun after becoming wet, there shouldn't be any problems.

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[fetcher]

3/4 view

 

[fetcher]

side.

 

[fetcher]

another angle front.

 

[fetcher]

protecting the paint underneath the headlamp.

 

[fetcher]

modification necessary to do so.

 

[fetcher]

nonfunctional J-clip and resultant gap from modification.

 

[fetcher]

where to attach the friction buckle.

 

[fetcher]

where to attach the hook tape.

 

[cmar]

do you happen to know if they just make a hood bra?

 

[fetcher]

I'm pretty sure they don't. But you can call/email Covercraft for the final word. Their website is www.covercraft.com.

I might be willing to sell the hood portion of my set; it is highly dependent on if/when my freaking deflector gets delivered. If it does and does what it should, I'm not adverse to parting with the hood piece. I'll keep you posted if you're interested - let me know.

 

[damengr]

Just a possible warning.

I purchased a similar mask for an 86 mustang back in the 80s and after only a short while the body paint underneath became very dull likely due to moisture buildup in the fabric underneath the vinyl which rested against the paint due to condensation/rain. After discontinuing use of the mask, I never could get the dull marks out of the paint.

Not sure if Toyota paint would be susceptible but offer this warning anyway.

In any case, I no longer use these types of masks because of this one bad experience.

 

[fetcher]

Duly noted. Appreciate the input.

I'm curious - did you leave it on all the time or take it off after it got wet to let it dry?

 

[T?@\7]

Congrats on your purchase and install info!
Ive always thought of those 'bras' as more of a PITA and hinderence than anything else. Im sure it proteects the paint better than anything else... but i also bet it does more harm...
Be diligent in your removal and cleaning beneath the bra!

 

[damengr]

Here in PA it rains enough that taking it off every time after a rain would be a pain so I left it on. I did always take it off to wash the car and that is when I noticed the impact on the paint finish. At that point I felt obligated to keep it on to hide the dull paint finish. The car was a candy-apple red and underneath the bra it had dulled to a milky white color so it was a very noticeable contrast. Needless to say, it was my first new car purchase and I was upset and counted it as a lesson learned that I didn't ever want to have to learn again, hence the reason I stay away from them.

On my 4R, I installed the invisible mask (cost $25) and although it's not bullet-proof it does prevent most dings/scratches from stones, etc which again is a big deal here in PA, especially in winter. It was tough installing and requires a lot of patience and perserverance and I didn't necessarily install it perfectly but then again I can always take it off and the can always see that the paint finish underneath remains flawless.

 

[fetcher]

I'm sorry to hear that.

To be fair, though, it is clearly stated in the instructions these days paint clouding can/will happen if you leave a wet mask on, particularly when the rain is followed by heat/sun. If you live where it rains frequently, I can see where it would pose a problem.

If you can DIY a 3M/3M-like product for $25 and be happy with the finished product - goodonya, eh? Personally, I'm not that talented. But for it to retail for hundreds of dollars? We're talking reports upwards of $600 on the forums? Sorry, but that's consumer fleecing in my book.

The primary reason I'm making a point to post about the front end mask is as I stated earlier - because no one seemed to know about its existence and AFAIK, it is the only one out there.

I really miss the bumpers my '99 F250 had. Didn't have to concern myself with this crap. I can honestly say I am utterly unimpressed with the design idea and implementation of painted fascia "bumpers" on today's cars/suvs/urban trucks.

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[alaskaman]

thanks for the posts and pics. I am considering this product for the trip to Alaska in the Spring. that color fading issue may move me to another option.

 

[sop]

I'd be careful with this thing. I used a front end bra very similar to this one, with the separate hood and lower bumper sections, on a Subaru Outback XT. The Subaru bra was a dealer option and fit like a glove; the one you have seems to be a rather loose fitting design in the photos. In the end, I found the damage to the paint far outweighed any protection it provided. I'd never use one on my new '07 4R SR5 4WD.

Some observations:

At highway speeds (70 mph and above) the continuous flapping along the leading edges of the fabric on top of the hood and fender areas damaged the paint in short order. The dull line and rub marks on the hood and both fenders, where the edge of the bra fabric rested, never came out, no matter how many times I buffed the area. And the clips that attached the edges of the bra along the inside of the fender wells also damaged the paint.

Additionally, every bit of dirt and road grit, particularly the winter salt and cinders, collected under every inch of the bra's soft liner padding, became embeded in the fabric itself and acted as an abrasive, effectively sandpapering the car's finish underneath. The first time I used it, on a skiing trip to Colorado, I left in on the entire time till I got home. During the three short weeks it was on the vehicle it damaged the paint.

When I took it off the soft fabric on the underside was completely saturated with road salt and grit....it took me several hours to clean the bra liner. I soaked it in the bathtub for hours and when I took it out of the tub the water was black with dirt and grit...the stuff that had ruined my new paint. And it doesn't take long to damage the finish, a long day on the road should do it. The few times I used it after that I took it off immediately after getting off the road.

About the only thing it accomplished was keeping bugs from splattering on the painted bumper and front of hood at freeway speeds. From prior experience, having lived in Florida for years and having to deal with the scourge of lovebugs, the dried bugs were easier to clean off my vehicles than ruining the paint with the bra. And it did protect the flat surfaces of the front end from the inevitable small stones thrown up by vehicles ahead when driving on heavily traveled, cindered roads.

So, if you're going to use it follow some simple guidelines:

-Never leave it on the vehicle permanently or even for short periods; put it on only when you need it and take it off immediately when you don't.

-Only use it when driving at high speeds and when you expect vehicle damage from small stones and gravel. That's the only thing it's good for.

-If you notice any flapping along the hood or fenders at highway speeds, either take it off immediately or tape it down to keep it from flapping. It only takes an hour of flapping to rub into the paint's finish.

-Keep it as clean as possible, especially when using it in mud, snow and slush, so the liner will not become saturated with grit and abrade your car's finish.

Good luck.

 

[fetcher]

All good points to consider if keeping ones paint as pristine as possible is a priority. Thank you for the thread input. Always good to pass on anecdotal stories; many find them useful.

Personally, clear coat rub/scratching doesn't bother me. Must be because I downsized from a SD F250 that was "pinstriped", well, everywhere but the front bumper and hood (deflector protected) by the time I was done with her.


However, discovering hugantic, ginormic chips and chunks taken out of the front bumper/fasica/painted cladding/whatever you want to call it and hood when washing/waxing well..........do. Hence the protection during the season/times when the worst of it generally occurs.

It'll be interesting to see if even following the manufacturer's recommendations the mask causes any damage. I'll be sure to keep the thread updated.

fetch