Hey dudes. This is getting to be a real issue. I'm going offroad about twice a week now. No matter what I do, windows up, windows down, air on, air off, front windows up, rear down, vice versa, any combo you can think of... every square inch of the inside of my truck gets absolutely covered in dust. It's actually the worst when I have the windows up. Seems like it's coming in somewhere. Yeah, I get it, it's offroading and I should expect to get dirty. but it's really extreme and this is my daily. It's not just a little dirty, either. It's like someone exploded a bag of dry unmixed clay in my truck on purpose. Seems like I should be able to close the windows and keep it out, at least. Anyone had any luck with this or have any ideas on keeping the dust tornado out of my truck? It really sucks when we're camping, because all of our bedding gets covered in dust and that sucks to sleep in. Having to put all the bedding in sealed plastic bags while we drive.
inside of my 4runner looks like Pig Pen was in it everytime I go offroad
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Vansnxtweek
New member
I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in but I'm pretty sure I've read the body vent on the left side under the rear bumper can cause this issue. Search for rear body vent and I'm sure you will find some info. Otherwise I'm sure someone has an answer.
Edit: This is the thread I was thinking of.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/258042-dust-sealing.html
Edit: This is the thread I was thinking of.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/258042-dust-sealing.html
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AntleredRuin
New member
A few things.
There's a little depressurization 'vent' behind both rear bumper caps on either side. They should have rubber flaps on them to keep dust and stuff out, but the flaps often deteriorate so the rear tires kick up dust that comes straight inside. Start there.
Inspect/replace any cracked door and window seals.
Make sure A/C is set to circulate, and not bring in fresh outside air.
Lastly, buy this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-1...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-206159256-_-300997599-_-N
Neat little inflator that also double as a small portable blower. I find that blowing dust/debris (not littering) out of my truck is a whole lot faster and more effective than vacuuming.
There's a little depressurization 'vent' behind both rear bumper caps on either side. They should have rubber flaps on them to keep dust and stuff out, but the flaps often deteriorate so the rear tires kick up dust that comes straight inside. Start there.
Inspect/replace any cracked door and window seals.
Make sure A/C is set to circulate, and not bring in fresh outside air.
Lastly, buy this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-1...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-206159256-_-300997599-_-N
Neat little inflator that also double as a small portable blower. I find that blowing dust/debris (not littering) out of my truck is a whole lot faster and more effective than vacuuming.
thanks. yeah vacuuming is basically useless. I was going to try and put a strong vaccuum or two in the truck running and then blow it out with compressed air. so freaking dirty in there. every nook and cranny is full of Colorado and Utah dirt.
AntleredRuin
New member
Unless you're talking about using an actual air compressor, compressed air will get expensive quick.
At like 8 bucks a pop for those cans, you can buy one of those Ryobi guns (or even a small battery powered leaf blower), and make up the difference very quickly.
I'd say skip the vacuuming altogether. Open all the doors and have at it with some kind of blower. In one side, out the other.
On a slightly related note, I've always found that excavating dust (rather than vacuuming it) is more effective.
Case in point: we're redoing our flooring at my house, and just tore up about 600 SqFt of tile. Dust flipping everywhere. We left the shop vac running with no hose attached, but the dust still got everywhere and just settled.
So we took the leaf blower and stirred it up again. Opened a few windows and places fans in them. Placed other fans in strategic locations to help the air current carry the dust. Had to stir the dust up a couple of times, but overall, most of the dust has been sucked outside, leaving the place pretty clean.
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yes, a compressor, not cans of compressed air. Not quite that dumb. I have a fully equipped shop and don't need to purchase anything. I just meant stick running vacuums in the truck while I blow it out, to try and keep the dust from resettling in the truck as much as I can manage.
I've been a woodworker/fabricator for most of my adult life, I'm pretty familiar with managing dust inside buildings. The best situation is to have a high powered industrial dust collection system in place, a shop vac won't do much. Beyond that your best bet is sealing off the affected area and setting up the best DIY exhaust system you can manage while you work. sweeping compound while you try to sweep it up.
Gary Blake
New member
You need to create a positive air pressure situation inside the vehicle in order to keep the dust out. Close the exterior venting at the dash, close all windows and run the fan. Check the area of that rear air vent with smoke and see if air is exiting.
Aussies know dust, those very nice all terrain camper trailers they make down usually include a positive air pressure fan to keep the dust out while motoring.
Not sure if the 4 runners are air tight enough to achieve constant positive air pressure, try the above in a sealed garage and you may get your answer. Lots of variables once you hit the trail though, altitude, temperature, wind etc., but at it may reduce the problem.
Gary
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
Great suggestions so far. If the dust originates in the rear cargo area that flap on the vent is broken. If it comes in the front you'll want to inspect your door seals, the driver's door seal and the front passenger's seal often get tears or holes that allow dust kicked up from the front tires to just flow right in.
Since we don't have cabin air filters, outside air will always have dust so that kinda sucks. If you leave it on recirculate you'll have to run the A/C or it gets really stuffy inside.
Since we don't have cabin air filters, outside air will always have dust so that kinda sucks. If you leave it on recirculate you'll have to run the A/C or it gets really stuffy inside.
calimobber
Member
Its for sure the rear vent in the bumper behind the right rear tire. Just remove that one part of the bumper and you can see it. I just bought a new one but you can seal it off for now if you. Some people jam foam into it but that only helps a little.
pluton
Senior Member
^^This, except [on my '97] there is only one flow thru vent, at the left rear. You can see it by peeling back the interior trim, or removing the end caps of the rear bumper.
Mine had the decomposed rubber flap and I got a dust storm inside when driving dirt roads.
Bought a new replacement vent unit, but the flap on the new one was so thin and feeble in design that I decided to just seal up the old one with foam rubber and RTV.
Only cost of sealing it is a very slight additional resistance when shutting a door or rear hatch if all the other doors and windows are closed.
Mine still leaks a little bit of dust around the bottom of the backseat doors, even though I earlier installed new rubber door seals all around.
Scramble
New member
So I guess half doors are out of the question?
Yep, my 99 3RZ only has one on the DS.
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phattyduck
Elite Member
There's only one vent, on the driver's side.
Looks like this:
That is probably the issue. Also could be door seals or the lower 4WD shifter boot (sometimes people cut it when doing transmission work).
-Charlie
Wedgy
New member
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