Get a spoiler!!

[mf2kta]

I have an 06 SR5 4X4 V6. I noticed that on the freeway, with a general draft that the vehicle moves pretty well. I also noticed that on the "open road" where there is no draft, that the vehicle would struggle more to maintain any speed higher than 60 mph. I also noticed that EVERY V8 has a spoiler.

So I installed an ebay $119, color matched spoiler. Color match was pretty good and quality seemed decent. Install took my neighbor and I about 40 minutes. (We're both car guys though).

It made a huge difference. The wind noise from the sun roof has been cut AT LEAST in half. When the windows are down, there is so much less turbulence in the cabin.

My wife, who I didn't think even paid attention to our vehicles, even mentioned how the vehicle feels smoother!

I wish I would have done it sooner, and (personal opinion) it looks better now. It does not have the "hump" and does have LED's.

I can post pictures if anybody's interested, but it's just a spoiler...

 

[mrrab]

My thoughts on 4th Gen. 4Runner spoilers...

I only like the spoilers that are flat. I hate the ones with the humps. Think the flat spoilers came with the 03's-05's and the hump spoilers came on the 06's +.

Surprised a spoiler made that much difference...

I do kinda like the look of 4th Gen. 4Runner's without spoilers...Make's them look more rugged.

 

[NJshadow93]

My V8 doesn't have a spoiler lol

 

[Mark86]

Aftermarket/port installed spoilers do not have humps on them. The aftermarkets also have LED lights built in.

 

[04_4runner]

My V8 doesn't have a spoiler lol

I second that. My V8 did not come with a spoiler.
I'm not sure what you mean by struggling to maintain over 60. If I don't use the cruise control to limit my speed it would easily creep up to ticket speed.

Glad you like it though. Post some pics so we can see your handy work.

 

[deedst4r]

Do you want to post a link to the one you bought? I am interested in buying one. $119 isn't too bad either. I hate to look of mine without a spoiler!

 

[zerowkul98]

My 03 has the flat spoiler while my 08 has the humped one. Im pretty sure the humped one wasnt around in 2003...

 

[MikeInNH]

I'm sorry..but the spoiler is NOT designed for performance. You MIGHT get a slight increase in performance (handling) at very high speeds (over 80mph).

The MAIN purpose of the spoiler is to keep the rear window clean by causing a back wash from the air flowing over the roof.

The whole idea behind a performance spoiler is to push down on the rear wheels at higher speeds for better control.

Many years ago Road and Track and even Consumer Reports tested the usefulness on sports cars. Their conclusion was...

1) On FWD vehicles - Absolutely worthless.

2) Production RWD vehicles....Only saw a slight increase in performance at speeds above 80mph. Zero increase up to 80mph.

 

[SUP3RJEFF]

First of all, Pics please!

Second, I agree with MikeInNH that these spoilers can't be designed for any kind of performance, but I could see where it may make a slight difference in the wind flow/turbulence.

I have a V6 and I find it ballsy enough on the highway. Its no V8, but as V6's go I'm pretty happy with it :biggrin2:. What did you mean by "struggling to maintain power over 60"?

 

[aha2988]

I'm sorry..but the spoiler is NOT designed for performance. You MIGHT get a slight increase in performance (handling) at very high speeds (over 80mph).

The MAIN purpose of the spoiler is to keep the rear window clean by causing a back wash from the air flowing over the roof.

The whole idea behind a performance spoiler is to push down on the rear wheels at higher speeds for better control.

Many years ago Road and Track and even Consumer Reports tested the usefulness on sports cars. Their conclusion was...

1) On FWD vehicles - Absolutely worthless.

2) Production RWD vehicles....Only saw a slight increase in performance at speeds above 80mph. Zero increase up to 80mph.

I just wanted to add that it doesnt even do a good job at its main purpose of keeping the back windsheild clean it just creates an eddy effect and cause exhaust scum an road trash to stick to the back glass and door more. I like the look with and without the spoiler the 4runner that had all my options i wanted just had one on it so I'm rockin it, i doubt id buy one if i didnt have one already on the truck (it gets in the way when hauling canoe's, kyak's 2X4's ect..) I would even consider taking mine off if it wasnt going to leave holes in the body after removal just cause its always grabbing tree limbs offroad. theres my .02 cents

 

[PAULUNM]

I'm sorry..but the spoiler is NOT designed for performance. You MIGHT get a slight increase in performance (handling) at very high speeds (over 80mph).

The MAIN purpose of the spoiler is to keep the rear window clean by causing a back wash from the air flowing over the roof.

The whole idea behind a performance spoiler is to push down on the rear wheels at higher speeds for better control.

Many years ago Road and Track and even Consumer Reports tested the usefulness on sports cars. Their conclusion was...

1) On FWD vehicles - Absolutely worthless.

2) Production RWD vehicles....Only saw a slight increase in performance at speeds above 80mph. Zero increase up to 80mph.

I'm not sure a spoiler that's designed to keep the rear window clean could also reduce lift (increase downforce).

Without some comprehensive wind tunnel testing, I'm keeping my V8 spoilerless.

 

[MikeInNH]

My 98 Pathfinder had the spoiler...and it didn't work very well at keeping the rear window clean either...HOWEVER....my 90 Pathfinder's spoiler was designed a little different...and it did a FANTASTIC job at keeping the rear window clean. No need for a rear wiper. After the truck was about 5 years old...one of the brackets holding the spoiler on broke. Took me a couple of weeks to get a new one. Those two weeks were hell trying to see out the rear window.

If the spoiler isn't doing a good job at cleaning the window...then the ONLY reason it's there is for looks. There is no way in heck it'll help with performance.

 

[aha2988]

My 98 Pathfinder had the spoiler...and it didn't work very well at keeping the rear window clean either...HOWEVER....my 90 Pathfinder's spoiler was designed a little different...and it did a FANTASTIC job at keeping the rear window clean. No need for a rear wiper. After the truck was about 5 years old...one of the brackets holding the spoiler on broke. Took me a couple of weeks to get a new one. Those two weeks were hell trying to see out the rear window.

If the spoiler isn't doing a good job at cleaning the window...then the ONLY reason it's there is for looks. There is no way in heck it'll help with performance.

agreed!

 

[kavalis]

I have an 06 SR5 4X4 V6. I noticed that on the freeway, with a general draft that the vehicle moves pretty well. I also noticed that on the "open road" where there is no draft, that the vehicle would struggle more to maintain any speed higher than 60 mph. I also noticed that EVERY V8 has a spoiler.

So I installed an ebay $119, color matched spoiler. Color match was pretty good and quality seemed decent. Install took my neighbor and I about 40 minutes. (We're both car guys though).

It made a huge difference. The wind noise from the sun roof has been cut AT LEAST in half. When the windows are down, there is so much less turbulence in the cabin.

My wife, who I didn't think even paid attention to our vehicles, even mentioned how the vehicle feels smoother!

I wish I would have done it sooner, and (personal opinion) it looks better now. It does not have the "hump" and does have LED's.

I can post pictures if anybody's interested, but it's just a spoiler...

My '08 V8 didnt have one.
Ordered on from Jason. The ones on ebay are a copy of a copy.
Plastic not fiberglass :reddance:

 

[PaulB-2006 T4R]

I just discovered that my 2006 SR5 has an aftermarket flat spoiler. I noticed the other day when my wife took the 4R that the high mount brake LED lights were all burnt out. I pulled the wire harness to see the brake light wires spliced in and then pulled the body plugs to see rough cut holes that secures spoiler to the tailgate.

 

[jdkilroy]

My 2008 SR5 V8 did not come with any spoiler; added the "hump" spoiler and have mixed feelings; i preferred the cleaner look without but also really like the cleaner rear window and no back flow of exhaust with back window (partially) down on highway.

 

[NJshadow93]

I love the look without the spoiler. I just hate the third brake light though, especially compared to the LED taillights. I wish we had an LED option for that which does not include adding a spoiler.

 

[Jester4kicks]

It's purely for looks. You're driving a brick down the road... any difference you think you're getting from a spoiler is just in your head.

Almost any spoiler on any normal street car is pretty much in the same boat.

If you like the look though, congrats. Just don't try to make it more than that.

 

[jdkilroy]

Jester said: "It's purely for looks."

I'm not gonna get into this pissin' contest except to say that there is no question about the change in airflow over the back window by adding the (humped) spoiler. It is easily observed that rain is driven down the back window with the spoiler in place, which is in stark contrast to rain and whatever else just depositing on the rear window without it. I have driven many miles with and without.

The humped spoiler actually sits proud of the roof line and redirects airflow over the roof downward against the rear window. It doesn't take a degree in fluid dynamics to see it or understand it.... it works.

so there is no misunderstanding: we are not talking about the effect a spoiler provides a 911 turbo carrera at speed. This is a functional spoiler but a different fuction altogether.

 

[Jester4kicks]

Jester said: "It's purely for looks."

I'm not gonna get into this pissin' contest except to say that there is no question about the change in airflow over the back window by adding the (humped) spoiler. It is easily observed that rain is driven down the back window with the spoiler in place, which is in stark contrast to rain and whatever else just depositing on the rear window without it. I have driven many miles with and without.

The humped spoiler actually sits proud of the roof line and redirects airflow over the roof downward against the rear window. It doesn't take a degree in fluid dynamics to see it or understand it.... it works.

I'm skeptical about even this level of "function", but I could see how you might see the effect you described. However, I'm not buying the idea that the spoiler "drives" air down on the rear window.

As the vehicle moves down the road, the air directly behind it just becomes a mess of turbulent negative pressure. The rear spoiler could conceivably assist with directing a small amount of the high-pressure air travelling over the vehicle down toward the pocket of negative pressure immediately behind the vehicle. This would not get rid of the pocket, but it could help move the general area of negative pressure below the area of the rear window.

The result would be less turbulent air being directed up against the back window, which would account for what you're seeing, combined with just enough gravity and draft to help water trickle down the window.

Again, I'm NOT saying that this is what's happening... but since I could see how something like this MIGHT explain it, I'm willing to at least admit it's possible.