storage compartment mod

[habanero]

I had forgotten about the black plastic thingy that plugs into the bottom vent. It's huge and takes up most of that volume. I wonder if it is really necessary? It looks like the wad of fiberglass or other matting that stuffs into the vent is doing all the real dust prevention, not sure what purpose the black plastic housing serves.

[MENTION=5345]habanero[/MENTION] did you keep your black plastic thingy after removing it?

Yep, I still have it. It's kind of like furnace ductwork, but looking at the picture of it attached to the panel it's closed at the lower end and sides and open at the top. Looks like it's to limit the dust coming in directly from the vent to the grate, for lack of a better term.....that explains why so much dirt was under the panel.
assume-ing (you know what that means) you're looking for measurements n stuff...

End to end

Side to side

Box size side to side

 

[JZiggy]

Yep, I still have it. It's kind of like furnace ductwork, but looking at the picture of it attached to the panel it's closed at the lower end and sides and open at the top. Looks like it's to limit the dust coming in directly from the vent to the grate, for lack of a better term.....that explains why so much dirt was under the panel.
assume-ing (you know what that means) you're looking for measurements n stuff...

End to end

Side to side

Box size side to side

Thanks so much, Hab! I really think we could do without this thing and just have a block of matting or even a paper air filter in its place.

 

[phattyduck]

Based on the jute padding, that channel is for noise reduction, not dust reduction. With the flap in place, no (errr... very little) dust will be in that area.

Of course, mine was a dust storm back there with the missing flap too. New complete units are still available from Toyota.

Dust ingress is basically a non-issue since the replacement.

-Charlie

 

[octanejunkie]

Based on the jute padding, that channel is for noise reduction, not dust reduction. With the flap in place, no (errr... very little) dust will be in that area.

Of course, mine was a dust storm back there with the missing flap too. New complete units are still available from Toyota.

Dust ingress is basically a non-issue since the replacement.

-Charlie

Where is this magical area? lol

 

[JohnMc]

Left rear corner of the cargo area. There are some vent slots in the lower section, and the opening is behind the bumper on the side of the car.

It's to allow for passive vnetilation of the car - air comes in under a slight pressure from the base of the windsheild, and there is a slight vacuum in that area of the car, due to the aerodynamics, so air naturally flows in the HVAC system and out that vent as long as the car is moving. And you haven't turned on recirc.

The flapper valve is supposed to let air out (including when you slam the doors) but not iin, so dust shouldn't come in from the rear wheel well.

 

[JasonBass]

great idea, could also ryno line the inside

 

[JZiggy]

Based on the jute padding, that channel is for noise reduction, not dust reduction. With the flap in place, no (errr... very little) dust will be in that area.

Of course, mine was a dust storm back there with the missing flap too. New complete units are still available from Toyota.

Dust ingress is basically a non-issue since the replacement.

-Charlie

Good input, thanks! That makes a lot of sense that the channel would be for noise reduction. Seems that it could be removed without much consequence.

Side note -- some folks run their CB antenna wires out through that thing under the rubber flap. I did that too, and it causes some gaps where it goes over the wire. Thinking maybe I should find a better place to route it that doesn't interfere with the operation of the vent.

 

[octanejunkie]

Good input, thanks! That makes a lot of sense that the channel would be for noise reduction. Seems that it could be removed without much consequence.

Side note -- some folks run their CB antenna wires out through that thing under the rubber flap. I did that too, and it causes some gaps where it goes over the wire. Thinking maybe I should find a better place to route it that doesn't interfere with the operation of the vent.

Ah, regarding CB installs

I was thinking about running my CB antenna off of my ARB bumper. Is there any advantage to having the antenna at the rear of the vehicle?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[TonyB66]

Ah, regarding CB installs

I was thinking about running my CB antenna off of my ARB bumper. Is there any advantage to having the antenna at the rear of the vehicle?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Hey Mike, I have little experience with CBs, and even that was like 20 years back...

HAM radio operators are a good resource. There are indeed factors or considerations. I plan to remove my moonroof, the entire mechanism and replace it with sheetmetal. Just below, and secured to this plate, a mobile HAM radio with a very short coaxial run to the antenna, which will be mounted right above. One of the reasons I want a half rack, not a full length one...

When it comes to Ham radio mobile antenna location, this website is often referenced:

http://kv5r.com/ham-radio/mobile-antenna-placement/

As for front or rear, I found this old discussion:

https://www.eham.net/articles/20353

Maybe go rear (front engine ride), driver side (exhaust on the right)...

 

[phattyduck]

Thinking maybe I should find a better place to route it that doesn't interfere with the operation of the vent.

Buy the 01/02 cover instead - it already has a hole for the trailer wiring. Then you just need a rubber grommet of the right size.

-Charlie

 

[JZiggy]

Buy the 01/02 cover instead - it already has a hole for the trailer wiring. Then you just need a rubber grommet of the right size.

-Charlie

Whoa! Great tech! :thumb:

 

[habanero]

Side note -- some folks run their CB antenna wires out through that thing under the rubber flap. I did that too, and it causes some gaps where it goes over the wire. Thinking maybe I should find a better place to route it that doesn't interfere with the operation of the vent.

I once ran it though one of the grommets for the taillight. Once through that you don't need to trim anything to run it out from behind the lower part taillight by the hatch, there's coax-sized gap.

 

[cmdzee]

V nice..v nice

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Buy the 01/02 cover instead - it already has a hole for the trailer wiring. Then you just need a rubber grommet of the right size.

-Charlie

[MENTION=2968834]phattyduck;[/MENTION]

Charlie,

So do the '01/02 units fit right into the earlier models? And is the flap included in the assembly (I assume it's this one - https://parts.villagetoyota.com/pro...Y--QUARTER-VENT--LH/2178044/6294035010.html)?

 

[83Mule]

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=326408&stc=1&d=1550276939 Put a door on it..........

 

[habanero]

So do the '01/02 units fit right into the earlier models?

Ancient question you've likely figured out, but to answer for future browsers- yes.

I have one of them in the '96 now that I picked off a junkyard truck. The rubber flap I made a template for out of cardboard, then cut out of a thin sheet of rubber.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Ancient question you've likely figured out, but to answer for future browsers- yes.

I have one of them in the '96 now that I picked off a junkyard truck. The rubber flap I made a template for out of cardboard, then cut out of a thin sheet of rubber.

Thanks Hab! I already have the '01 vent unit on hand, just need to brave the cold weather outside (40F) and put it in .

 

[dbryar94]

smart!

 

[TonyB66]

Some here might be interested to know that the plastic Harbor Freight ammo box fits really nicely in this spot. Hard to go wrong at only 4 bucks...

There's space below it too, where I'm currently keeping some gloves and other soft, compressible items...

 

[JZiggy]

Oooh, nice find Tony. Will have to run by HF soon.