"sport" Spoiler

aeathb

aeathb

New member
I have an sr5 and have always seen the spoilers on the "sport" model as funny. This thread is not about how they look, but rather how useful they are. I was wondering if they actually do anything. To calculate down force the formula is L= 1/2 the coefficient of lift times the density of air, times the velocity squared, times the area. The coefficient of lift is .36 (I looked this up), the density of air is 1.2 kg/m^3 and area of the spoiler I gave a gracious 240 in^2. At 40 mph there would be 12 lbs of force, at 70mph 37 lbs of force, and at 100 75 lbs of force. So I guess my question is why? Next time I'm driving at 70 and need 40 lbs of down force I think I'm going to put a couple bricks in the back of my car and presto, rear spoiler!! For any aerospace majors out there, if you find I did something wrong I apologize and I will gladly take the criticism.
 
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No down-force I am sure, but the spoiler on my 07 Limited does a good job of clearing the back glass of water, snow and even dust.
 
Hmmm... I always though they were more for looks than to function as a spoiler to help keep pressure on the rear end. With the break in the front of the spoiler I was hoping that it would help keep the back window on my 04 sport cleaner. Fat chance. Actually it seems like it makes it pick up more dirt. I have never seen a back window on a SUV get as dirty as mine does just driving in wet weather. Oh well... The car makes up for it.
 
doxidad said:
Hmmm... I always though they were more for looks than to function as a spoiler to help keep pressure on the rear end. With the break in the front of the spoiler I was hoping that it would help keep the back window on my 04 sport cleaner. Fat chance. Actually it seems like it makes it pick up more dirt. I have never seen a back window on a SUV get as dirty as mine does just driving in wet weather. Oh well... The car makes up for it.
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The 04 is looks only. It gained function in 05+
 
The spoiler wouldn't add any downforce and if anything probably more drag.

The spoiler helps keep the back window clear. I never used the rear wiper before.
 
titaniumsport said:
i cant tell a difference?
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The 2005+ OEM Toyota spoiler is humped, rather than flat across the top like 2003-04. IIRC, 4Runners distributed by Southeast Toyota has a different port installed spoiler. The third brake light is underneath rather than on the front face of the spoiler.
 
Uneek said:
The 2005+ OEM Toyota spoiler is humped, rather than flat across the top like 2003-04. IIRC, 4Runners distributed by Southeast Toyota has a different port installed spoiler. The third brake light is underneath rather than on the front face of the spoiler.
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yeah, ours isnt humped. and i have seen the Humped spoiler, but very rarely.

i originally thought the humped spoilers was introduced in 08. because i only saw them on brand new 08-09 until i saw a 05 with one (it mustve been a northern one if the "Southeast spoiler" tidbit is true)

2006 Sport Edition, bought new in the Southeast

DSC00830.jpg~original


DSC00829.jpg~original


4174539225_dc7d36549e_o.jpg
 
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The rear spoiler with the hump also keeps exhaust gases from entering the vehicle when you are moving and the rear window is down.

My family and my dogs appreciate this.
 
My 2005 has the "humped" spoiler also. It is just to help clear the window (vs providing down force - it must cleate more drag if even a little). I can't tell how much better (if at all) that it clears vs no spoiler. I do get exhaust fumes with the rear window down, but again it might be less than if I had no spoiler.
 
Those are all very interesting reasons for the rear spoiler. I suppose when you don't have one, the other reasons besides performance are easily overlooked. Not to stray off topic....but does the hood scoop actually do anything, or are there a bunch of reasons why it is useful?
 
aeathb said:
Those are all very interesting reasons for the rear spoiler. I suppose when you don't have one, the other reasons besides performance are easily overlooked. Not to stray off topic....but does the hood scoop actually do anything, or are there a bunch of reasons why it is useful?
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Thats a non functional hood scoop. Looks good! but not needed
 
aeathb said:
Those are all very interesting reasons for the rear spoiler. I suppose when you don't have one, the other reasons besides performance are easily overlooked. Not to stray off topic....but does the hood scoop actually do anything, or are there a bunch of reasons why it is useful?
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The hood scoop on my 04 sport is just decorative. No function other than to look nice and add drag.
 
The hood scoop is there to keep large bugs from hitting the base of windshield. I cleaned out enough of them to know over the years.
 
harper7 said:
The hood scoop is there to keep large bugs from hitting the base of windshield. I cleaned out enough of them to know over the years.
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I was going to say it looks like a nice bug catcher. Sometimes you the bug and sometimes your the windshield........:jaw drop:
 
eskimochaos said:
The 04 is looks only. It gained function in 05+
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My '03 seems to move a fair amount of wind/rain down my back window. The newer one looks like it has a bigger opening at the front, might move more air to keep the rear window clean. I'm not exactly sure what the hump was supposed to accomplish, maybe better mileage? Toyota is usually fairly practical with things like this, but it could be something a focus group decided would look better. Fugly anyway, and in the way for loading the roof. I'd like to get rid of mine, but I have some ideas for adding lights in it.
 
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