Toyota 3rd gen OEM Hood Protector Bug Shield whistling noise is driving me nuts

[oly4runner]

I spent the afternoon installing my Toyota OEM bug shield and I did a quick drive with it on. For some reason when I hit between 50-70 MPH i get an annoying whistle sound. Anyone here with the same OEM bug shield having the same noise issue? I wanted to know if this was just normal or if I need to make an adjustment or modification to the shield. Thanks!

Here's some quick shots of my install:

 

[BrianSD_42]

Interesting, I didn't know Toyota made an OEM one of these.

I have a LUND and it doesn't whistle. $60 on Amazon.

 

[grimace80]

OEM '99 4runner Hood Protector

Hi,

I have been looking high and low for an OEM Hood Protector for my 1999 4runner without any luck. Seattle Toyota told me that the OEM protector is no longer made, would you be able to tell me where you found yours?!

Thanks,

David

 

[oly4runner]

Hi,

I have been looking high and low for an OEM Hood Protector for my 1999 4runner without any luck. Seattle Toyota told me that the OEM protector is no longer made, would you be able to tell me where you found yours?!

Thanks,

David

Hi David,

The hood/bug protector that I was showcasing on this thread is a genuine OEM toyota part # PT427-89011 that I purchased off ebay from seller:alhendricksontoyota and I believe this seller is a toyota dealership in Florida.

<b>One thing to note</b> is that this part was designed for the 2001-2002 4runners so the fit might be a little different from your 99. Others here may be be able to chime in if this actually fits on older 3rd gens (if the hoods are identical) or a knowledgeable/helpful dealership part sales person...if such a person even still exist.

<b>UPDATE:</b> looking at an online PDF it shows 1996-2002 in the installation guide so I guess it's designed for earlier versions too.

I ended up removing mine from my truck and plan to part with it on this forum or list it on eBay for a quick sell, I still haven't decided. If you or anyone here has any interest in this part, please PM me to work a deal. :cheers:

 

[theizzardking]

Hi David,

The hood/bug protector that I was showcasing on this thread is a genuine OEM toyota part # PT427-89011 that I purchased off ebay from seller:alhendricksontoyota and I believe this seller is a toyota dealership in Florida.

<b>One thing to note</b> is that this part was designed for the 2001-2002 4runners so the fit might be a little different from your 99. Others here may be be able to chime in if this actually fits on older 3rd gens (if the hoods are identical) or a knowledgeable/helpful dealership part sales person...if such a person even still exist.

<b>UPDATE:</b> looking at an online PDF it shows 1996-2002 in the installation guide so I guess it's designed for earlier versions too.

I ended up removing mine from my truck and plan to part with it on this forum or list it on eBay for a quick sell, I still haven't decided. If you or anyone here has any interest in this part, please PM me to work a deal. :cheers:

i have this piece on my 4runner and can tell you i experience no whistling noise to speak off, i do know if you don;t have it installed properly it would be very easy for that to happen, everything must be flush and in-line other wise you are going to create some sort of gap or misalignment that will produce sound at a high rate of speed.

 

[AZ4FNER]

I also have the OEM and have no issues with noise...

I can tell you that mine is installed without the little rubber hood protectors. I just check the mounting screws periodically to make sure they are tight.

 

[oly4runner]

i have this piece on my 4runner and can tell you i experience no whistling noise to speak off, i do know if you don;t have it installed properly it would be very easy for that to happen, everything must be flush and in-line other wise you are going to create some sort of gap or misalignment that will produce sound at a high rate of speed.

Thanks for the feedback but I'm not exactly sure how I can "misalign" or create a gap between the hood and shield. There are 4 factory holes under the factory hood near the edge. I noticed you guys have the earlier models, do your shields mount with 4 screws as well? You guys use the same part #?

The only kind of readjustment I can do to the shield is to move it horizontally left or right and I have tried all positions, extreme left, dead center and extreme right, and it still whistles like I have a window cracked open.

<b>Fixed factory holes where the screws go in:</b>

<b>Adjustment can only be done left or right:</b>

Any other ideas? I'd love to just keep the OEM shield if I could get the whistling noise to stop. It always sounds/feels like I need to crank up the window, drives me nuts!

 

[oly4runner]

UPDATE: I finally figured out where this whistling sound was coming from. The OEM shield does a great job of deflecting the wind away from the hood and windshield over to the roof area of the truck. At the very top portion of the windshield there is a rubber strip that is there to seal it to the body. This strip, and I'm pretty sure due to its old age, has a small thin gap where air is getting trapped inside causing the annoying sound that I was complaining :crybaby: about. With a little bit of sealant I was able to finally get the whistling sound to go away :banana:. So it wasn't the OEM shield after all, it was my freakin truck! This shield is a keeper! eace: