Removing plastic front spoiler/air dam
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hoeftm2002
New member
I wondered about this also but have not tried to do anything with it yet. I plan on taking mine on trails and think that would be the first thing to get messed up - decided against the TE because there are to many options missing that I (my wife) had to have.
I agree the Trail is missing some good features. I would like my SR5 to have the Trail's off road capability though. I wish I knew if the plastic piece in front on the Limited & SR5 served any purpose or is just cosmetic. It looks like the Trail only has the square shaped scoop underneath.I wondered about this also but have not tried to do anything with it yet. I plan on taking mine on trails and think that would be the first thing to get messed up - decided against the TE because there are to many options missing that I (my wife) had to have.
If you crawl under there and look, you will find that the plastic piece is an air deflector. The center of the plastic piece channels air into an air intake, which funnels air above the skid plates and under the engine, oil pan, tranny and finally out the back end near the transfer case. The left and right ends of the plastic piece funnels air to the back of the front wheels, presumably to help cool the brakes.
Does it work? I suspect it does. If you take the outer piece off for the purpose you are describing, then you might have to take off the air intake for under the engine too. With that, you will then have an exposed sharp edge of the skid plate. The plastic covers that edge so nothing should" catch on the skid plate. However, if removed, your skid plate will act like a shovel if you hit high ground with nothing in front to deflect contact from whatever you run across.
In my humble opinion, your angle of approach may suffer a couple of degrees and if not careful, you might damage the plastic that is already there. But, it would be far more expensive to replace the skid plating etc. if you should catch a hard stump or rock and tear up the rest of what is underneath your truck. Let it go Louie, let it go:nono:.
Thanks for your input. Does anyone know if the air deflection is actually a cooling function? Or just for noise reduction and/or mileage purpose? I notice on page 555-556 of the manual it says to take the front spoiler cover off to use the front emergency towing eyelets. So it looks like it can be done without taking off the air intake under the engine. But I see your concern about it then acting as a shovel if you hit dirt.
westwind77
New member
Yes....but.....if you look at the front those 'covers' you mentioned are only about 6"L x 1/2"W, just enough to slip a tow strap so you do not damage the entire black plastic piece. Take a look at the lower front of your 4R and you will see the small pieces on the left and right sides.
Right, what westwind is saying, is that there are two small sections of the total front piece that are easily removable for towing. And, to go look under the truck yourself! You will discover a whole new world. You will see that in order to take the whole front section off, it takes quite a bit of work. As far as the purpose, I think I already told you. But again, look for yourself, it should be clear.
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Snooperstyle
Member
Removed mine...
Despite the risks aforementioned on this post, I removed mine anyways. Call me crazy or stupid, but it helps my approach angle by about 2 or 3". You can see a small oak leaf in the air dam in these pics. It was already there BEFORE I removed the plastic, so debris can get in there regardless. Yes, you could plow through some mud and it might get in there, but seems to me like it would be pretty easy to wash off afterward. Also, there is a grate even down in there to keep big stuff out. I like the way it looks.
Before:
After:
Despite the risks aforementioned on this post, I removed mine anyways. Call me crazy or stupid, but it helps my approach angle by about 2 or 3". You can see a small oak leaf in the air dam in these pics. It was already there BEFORE I removed the plastic, so debris can get in there regardless. Yes, you could plow through some mud and it might get in there, but seems to me like it would be pretty easy to wash off afterward. Also, there is a grate even down in there to keep big stuff out. I like the way it looks.
Before:
After:
Attachments
Muddy Duck
New member
Thanks for the photos. I have wanted to remove mine because it has been a scoop for off-road debris and because it is such a pain to remove the cover for the recovery hooks. How long does it take to remove? Fairly technical or quick and easy?
Snooperstyle
Member
Easy to remove for sure.
1engineer
Moderator
Do you have any more side pics? I have a Black SR5 and am thinking on white letter tires out. Thanks.
Snooperstyle
Member
Here are more pics of the truck after I put on the BFGs but before I removed the front air dam.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/71758-275-70-17-bfg-atkos-installed-limited.html
There is a good pic in this thread of how it makes it easier to tie ropes under the front bumper now that the air dam is gone.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/67697-new-5th-gen-baja-rack-8.html#post663152
Hope that helps.
The Yota engineers put that air channel there with the air flow management for a reason for sure, but the reason is a little vague on its effect, or how the affect would be on not having it, which might be not much - unless perhaps it is something just for certain conditions (high ambient heat in city driving for example).
Thanks for resurrecting thread
I ended up proceeding with this mod and have no regrets. My theories and concerns were:
1. cooling function?
2. handling function?
3. mileage?
4. noise/wind reduction?
5. just for looks?
Over six months with it off and no more concerns at all. Did not affect mileage or handling or noise. I don't think TE's have it anyway so why would it be necessary? Would like to hear from an engineer or Harper on this. Looks much better with it off and it was easy to take off, and improved clearance/angles.
I ended up proceeding with this mod and have no regrets. My theories and concerns were:
1. cooling function?
2. handling function?
3. mileage?
4. noise/wind reduction?
5. just for looks?
Over six months with it off and no more concerns at all. Did not affect mileage or handling or noise. I don't think TE's have it anyway so why would it be necessary? Would like to hear from an engineer or Harper on this. Looks much better with it off and it was easy to take off, and improved clearance/angles.
westwind77
New member
Arrg! Seeing this thread keep making its way to the top is starting to get my motivation going. I have a feeling I will be removing mine in the next couple weeks if I keep seeing this thread up at the top lol!
snow&surf
New member
See my sig, between "Infinity Kappa" and "Mangowalk Antenna". Just had to. :cheers:
I took mine off and it looks way better!
Its been off for about a week and i haven't
noticed anything adverse in the form of temp,
noise, or anything else. It looks way better in my
opinion. Took about 15min used a 10mm nut driver
and a skinny 10mm ratchet to get to 2 tricky nuts
on the ends. Sorry for the crappy pics, my camera
broke so i took them on my phone, no zoom
It gave my 4R a meaner front stance in my opinion.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Its been off for about a week and i haven't
noticed anything adverse in the form of temp,
noise, or anything else. It looks way better in my
opinion. Took about 15min used a 10mm nut driver
and a skinny 10mm ratchet to get to 2 tricky nuts
on the ends. Sorry for the crappy pics, my camera
broke so i took them on my phone, no zoom
It gave my 4R a meaner front stance in my opinion.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
