Installing rear spoiler on 3rd gen. Worth it or not?

[Carolinafan]

I searched this for about 2 hours earlier and nothing.

Has anyone ever done this?

I picked up one the other day for my girlfriends 2000 Runner, and just dont want to mess anything up. Is it really as hard as I'm making it out to be in my head?

Any info would be great

 

[Nelsonmd]

Which spoiler? The Jaos, or the stock black fin?

 

[Carolinafan]

The stock black fin.

 

[peter78]

Are you talking about the spoiler at the top of the window. I think it looks sharp and gives the back a little bit more flare. It also does help in keeping your window easier to see out of in the rain.

My 2004 does not have a spoiler and I think the back looks a little plain. I also have to use my back wiper more often.

As far as putting it on, mine came with it, it looks like you have to make a couple of holes in your 4Runner to do it. I had to take it off once to replace the center brake light.

 

[doylee4693]

hey carolina if you do decide to install it youreself you should do a write up.Im thinking of installing one myself,but I might have a bodyshop take care of it

 

[Ron Helmuth]

If you travel dirt or gravel roads-it's worth it. That spoiler works well to sweep the back glass of dust.

Otherwise it has little real function but does dress up the back end nicely. Painted in the body color as mine is-it looks kind of custom. A nice unique touch for the 4Runner lover.

Without the template for drilling the holes and another 4Runner with spoiler to compare to-I would not attempt it. I paid a shop to do mine and it turned out great. Like a few of these upgrades there may be a bit more to it than meets the eye.

 

[brian2sun]

One thing that I found that's cool about the rear spoiler is.. Normally if you roll down the front windows when your on the highway, you get blasted with air. But if you crack the back window open about an inch or 2, the spoiler directs more air into the truck from the rear and it "equalizes" it so the wind stops blasting you from the front.

I'm not sure if that works without the spoiler (I've always had mine), but it's gotta direct more airflow in the rear.

 

[MAD 69]

You should do it, looks much better with it than without. Let a shop do it though since it entails drilling into the runner.

 

[blcktpgsr]

I bet if you have a drill, some bits and a threaded insert tool, you can make it yourself. The brackets for the rear deflector follows the contour of the top of the rear hatch where they will sit flat when mounted, assemble the deflector onto the brackets then pre-fit whole assembly til you find the right location, mark around the brackets, and the 3 holes each side to be drilled.

Yeah you can make it, just don't blame me if you mess it:lmao::naughty:

 

[Carolinafan]

My 99 came with one already on it. But my girlfriends 2000 didn't come with the roof rack or the rear spoiler. Got the roof rack installed Friday but didn't want to risk messing anything up to do the spoiler. I have the spoiler sitting in the back of her's right now, brackets and all. I'm still on the fence as if I should do it or not.

I should just be able to measure mine to see where it should go and then mock it up on her's and see how close it is then mark where to drill the holes. Correct?

 

[blcktpgsr]

My 99 came with one already on it. But my girlfriends 2000 didn't come with the roof rack or the rear spoiler. Got the roof rack installed Friday but didn't want to risk messing anything up to do the spoiler. I have the spoiler sitting in the back of her's right now, brackets and all. I'm still on the fence as if I should do it or not.

I should just be able to measure mine to see where it should go and then mock it up on her's and see how close it is then mark where to drill the holes. Correct?

Yes sir, even better since yours came with it already for comparison. Good luck!

 

[bak3rme]

i always wonder if you can take the lexus rs300 or whatever its called and fit it on a 3rd gen..coz they are basically the same width..

 

[MAD 69]

i always wonder if you can take the lexus rs300 or whatever its called and fit it on a 3rd gen..coz they are basically the same width..

The Lexus RX300 SUV? I didn't know this, my mother has that car and if they are interchangeable I'll steal/switch with her if mine is too beatup...

 

[bak3rme]

The Lexus RX300 SUV? I didn't know this, my mother has that car and if they are interchangeable I'll steal/switch with her if mine is too beatup...

I'm not saying it will work or not. its just i've always wondered if it would. If u do try it let us know!

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I think he meant GX470 or something... RX is way off.


I installed my 4runner spoiler... just lined it up to where it was even, drilled some holes and screwed the sucker in.

:thumb3:

Meh, though mine came out just fine, people advise against that

Way back when:

Now:

 

[J-money$$$]

One thing that I found that's cool about the rear spoiler is.. Normally if you roll down the front windows when your on the highway, you get blasted with air. But if you crack the back window open about an inch or 2, the spoiler directs more air into the truck from the rear and it "equalizes" it so the wind stops blasting you from the front.

I'm not sure if that works without the spoiler (I've always had mine), but it's gotta direct more airflow in the rear.

works the same without it. Basically its just to keep dust from building up on the back window. I say leave it off. My 4runner never had one, and i like it without it, but you do get the dirty back window effect.

 

[fightman80]

Anybody have any advice or pics of how to install this?? I just bought this assembly from FJ80Cruiser, and now want to throw it on my rig!!

 

[sportscarfan]

works the same without it. Basically its just to keep dust from building up on the back window. I say leave it off. My 4runner never had one, and i like it without it, but you do get the dirty back window effect.

I'm in the J-Money camp. The rear wiper knocks the dust off just fine too.

 

[Mellow77]

My 99 came with one already on it. But my girlfriends 2000 didn't come with the roof rack or the rear spoiler. Got the roof rack installed Friday but didn't want to risk messing anything up to do the spoiler. I have the spoiler sitting in the back of her's right now, brackets and all. I'm still on the fence as if I should do it or not.

I should just be able to measure mine to see where it should go and then mock it up on her's and see how close it is then mark where to drill the holes. Correct?

Yep, if you take yours off as a comparison you should see three holes under each of the 2 feet that hold it on (pictured below). You'll need to duplicate those holes to bolt it up (making sure the 3rd brake light is centered in the deflector opening. Don't forget plenty of silicone to make sure no water can leak under the feet and into the mount holes.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

I believe I have attached the instructions here-if not just private message me with a real email address and I can send.