Need some serious help with this, PLEASE?

[RickC5]

No, I didn't repaint the rear of our 4Runner tan. What you see is a HUGE amount of dust from driving only a few miles on a dusty road here in Western Colorado. All of our roads are dusty, and the 4Runner collects all this dust on every off-road excursion. At times there's so much dust that I can't see out the rear window at all.

So, what can I do about it? All suggestions welcome at this point, since this really sucks.

Interesting that my neighbor's FJ collects only a small amount of dust on the same roads, at the same speeds.

 

[Jeremy556]

Howdy neighbor. That's what the rear window washer is for. You're going to have to get used to it, unless you want to make some pretty major modifications and add something to deflect air down from roof to break up the negative pressure area behind the 4runner. Something like this

I think the stock wing on the 5th gens actually makes the negative pressure worse than it would be without it, almost certainly to help fuel economy. Too bad the wiper motor and tail light are integrated into it.

 

[buchaja]

Yep. Happens all the time down here too. It's actually curtailed my use of the rear window. It's a bummer, and a bad design, but I can't think of anything we can do about it. Even when it rains, it doesn't get the top of the window clean under the overhang.

And, the washer kind of sucks too.

 

[RickC5]

Howdy neighbor. That's what the rear window washer is for. You're going to have to get used to it, unless you want to make some pretty major modifications and add something to deflect air down from roof to break up the negative pressure area behind the 4runner.

I think the stock wing on the 5th gens actually makes the negative pressure worse than it would be without it, almost certainly to help fuel economy. Too bad the wiper motor and tail light are integrated into it.

Rear window washer? I think not, as I would then have a mass of mud; a scratched window, and would STILL have a pile of dust after a few more miles. This gets so bad that I have to take the truck to the $.25 car wash to get the stuff off after a run. It gets 1/4" deep or more on the top of the bumper. If there's a stretch of paved highway on the way home, some of the dust blows off, maybe 20-30% and I can then use the rear window to some degree.

Agree that the stock wing likely makes things worse, and I sure wish I could retrofit an air deflector like the one in your photo. Is that your rig? If so, I'll look for it around town.

The aerodynamics on this vehicle suck--literally.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Once you hit the highway at higher speed most of it will blow away. Then just wash the 4runner as usual. Mine always looks like this after playing in the desert.

 

[Jeremy556]

Is that your rig?

Yea, the washer makes a mess of mud, but at least you can see out the window, some.

Not mine, someone else on this site, I just found it with google image search. This is mine:

 

[BobsTrail]

Dirt Magnet

The rear of our 4Runners is a dirt magnet. The back of my shoreline blueTE looks a lot like your white/brown photo after most any dirt roads. Keeps me from putting down the rear window.
I have skipped a few roads because I had already cleaned the back.

 

[VoodooTitan]

This is probably not a solution you're looking for, and please don't chastise me for it, but before you hit a road you know is going to be bad, run some duct tape from side to side on the black portion of the hatch, just on the side of the window. It will obscure your view while you're driving the road, but when you're clear of the road you can just peel it off and the window should be relatively clean.

I know it's a temporary solution to a permanent problem, but if it's primarily a concern for you on runs, specifically in the same spot on the same road, then it might work for you...

I mean, your view is going to be obscured anyway right? at least it'll be easier to clean and make the drive home.

 

[1engineer]

You guys want a solution? Its super simple (ugly though) to fix. All you need to do is mount a flexible piece of material that reaches from about 2" above the ground to the bottom of your rear bumper cover. You are right about the low pressure area created at the back but wrong on the top spoiler being the culprit. Its the lower rear design that sucks the dust off the ground and no spoiler is going to fix that. A big 'ol mud flap running the width of the vehicle will though. You are welcome lol.

 

[skimr]

Oh man, you get to go out and drive in the dirt and make dust and make it dirty and you want to see out the back window? That's like going duck hunting and not liking it that the dog got wet and muddy. The dog is happy, your truck is happy, and I'm jealous, lol

 

[shaneotool]

I wonder if a thick coat of rain-x on the back glass would help any?

 

[BobsTrail]

Did that, Rain X and waxed the rest of the rear. It may help to keep so much from sticking, not sure. A lot does come off when back on-road.

Best I found is a coin car wash after a run.

 

[Sac State]

Just drive with the back window down. No dirt on the back! Now it inside your truck!! That back window open is like a commercial grade Hoover or black hole. Sucks everything into the cab.

 

[rick.deckard]

Just drive with the back window down. No dirt on the back! Now it inside your truck!! That back window open is like a commercial grade Hoover or black hole. Sucks everything into the cab.

I learned this on my first trip to Colorado. Took about 5 pounds of mountain topsoil with me home to Minnesota...

 

[jrandom]

and I remember when you guys all made fun of this dude...

 

[GiGi's 1996]

Pic of my back window today.

I like the idea of having on board air......just for this reason.

 

[sandcrawler]

it's a 4Runner thing. Rain-X the rear glass, Rain-X washer fluid in the reservoir, and keep the rear window up on dusty roads.

 

[JohnJerk]

Ryobi cordless leaf blower. $50 and compact.

 

[JohnJerk]

Also use the rear wiper without the wash. Concerns over scratched glass suggests a neuroses.

 

[RickC5]

I like the idea of having on board air......just for this reason.

Well OK, I sorta give up & will just have to live with it, I guess. Already waxed & rain-x'ed everything.

Totally unacceptable design for an off-road truck--almost as bad as the black interior--which should have been tan (old Toyota oak color would be just fine). Stupid (or would that be stupid me for buying it?).

Anyway, I may figure out some sort of on-board pressurized air device.

Here's how to keep the tires & wheels clean though: