US or Canadian bug shield?

[scott78945]

I was detailing my car this evening and found a paint chip abour the size of the tip of a ball point pen that went all the way down to the steel. I drive mainly highway everyday so I guess I am going to have to invest in a hood protector. The Canadian one looks like it will protect my hood better but I am concerned with snow and how would you clean underneath it? Any thoughts on what I should do or which I should buy? We have harsh winters here in central NY and I don't want salt to get stuck under the Canadian one and does it rub on the hood? I had the US one on my 2003 Runner but that went when I traded in for the 2005. Thanks all.

 

[wb2fcr]

Scott

I'm in Western New York and I have the Canadian version on my 2005, though I haven't gone through a winter with it yet (installed it in July).

I've already got a few chips on mine, so I went with the Canadian version because of the way it covers more of the paint around the grill.

Also, I think the Canadian version is "lower profile". I didn't want the shield to stand out, it kind of blends in. I can post a couple of pics if you want to see it on black.

 

[alpha]

Have you thought about clear bra? Just kindof sounds like you don't really want a bug deflector, yet want hood protection.. just another option..

 

[scott78945]

Yes, I misspoke. I do need it for hood protection, screw the bugs! The only thing that concerns me is the salt and dirt getting underneath the Canadian model. I know from prior experience that the US one is very easy to clean around and underneath it as it sits up high. Wb2fcr, if you can post a couple of pics I would greatly appreciate it. How do you wash you vehicle now? Do you find it difficult to maneuver around? How is the Canadian protector attached to the hood? Do they use double stick tape or just those little rubber feet things? I know, many many questions. I searched and found a place that sells them for a little over $80 but then it is like $20 for shipping. I wonderr about the Lund hood protectors?

 

[wb2fcr]

I'll post some pics as soon as I can - it may take a couple of days though.

From memory, here's how the shield attaches:
1. You put six little pieces of clear "tape" on six spots along the hood's front edge. Its hard to describe the "tape" but it's clear, thicker than regular tape, and has adhesive on one side.
2. Then you slide six rubber pieces (shaped like the letter C) over the "tape". The tape protects the hood paint from the rubber "C" rubbing on the paint . You then tighten screws through the rubber "C" pieces on the underside of the hood edge to hold them in place.
3. Then you stick four (?) rubber bumpers to the top of the hood about 6 inches back from the edge. I was a little concerned about sticking things on my new 4runner's paint but it seems to be OK.
4. The front of the shield screws into the top of rubber "C" pieces and the back of the shield rests on the rubber bumpers.

Hope this explains the install. Hopefully the pics will help.

There's not much room between the hood and shield (around 1/4"), so I dont think much ice will get down there.
I though about that before buying it, but I realized they get a lot of ice in Canada, so it seem to reason they would have considered this - maybe the reason it sits so close to the hood. I used to have a US version on my 1994 Pickup and ice would get in between the hood and shield.

As far as washing, you could just unscrew the shield and remove it easily enough. But I would think repeated removal will loosen the screw holes over time. I just wash normally, making sure lots of suds and water run between the hood and shield. Then I take my Big Blue Towel (I love that thing) and feed it through between the hood and shield to remove water spots. There's just enough room to get it in between them.

For polish / wax I'll remove the shield (time for another wax is fast approaching).

BTW - where are you in Central NY? I'm currently just outside Rochester, but originally from Sherrill.

 

[scott78945]

Syracuse, Ny here. Just a couple of hours away. I will wait to see your pics. I do like the low profile ones and as I said earlier, I did have the US version on my 2003. I will wait to see your pics and then decide. Thanks for the responses.

 

[AlexJet]

Yes, I misspoke. I do need it for hood protection, screw the bugs! The only thing that concerns me is the salt and dirt getting underneath the Canadian model. I know from prior experience that the US one is very easy to clean around and underneath it as it sits up high. Wb2fcr, if you can post a couple of pics I would greatly appreciate it. How do you wash you vehicle now? Do you find it difficult to maneuver around? How is the Canadian protector attached to the hood? Do they use double stick tape or just those little rubber feet things? I know, many many questions. I searched and found a place that sells them for a little over $80 but then it is like $20 for shipping. I wonderr about the Lund hood protectors?

I have it (Canadian). No problem at all. Because it's not attached directly to the hood, it uses some sort of rubber bumps and plastic holders. So it gives the air circulate over and under the deflector. I didn't drive this deflector in winter, but used similar one in my previous truck. After a few winters (Canadian winters with a lot of snow and salt), I can tell that there shouldn't be any problem. Just blast it with high pressure water under the deflector and all salt and dirt will come out from the opposite side.
Just my 2c, I hope it will help.

 

[AKA.HULK]

Heres how the bra would look like. Made by Colgan Customs. I also have the canadian version of the hood protector brand new never used. I'll be willing to sell it but you might have to pick it up because it will be to difficult to box up because of its size. Let me know...

 

[AKA.HULK]

Heres another pic with th bra. Hope you like...

 

[wb2fcr]

Here's a couple of pictures of the Canadian version. I've lightened the pics so they show the shield better. In "real life" its much darker.

 

[wb2fcr]

shows screws....

 

[wb2fcr]

show rubber "C" clips

 

[wb2fcr]

Rubber "C" clip view from under hood

 

[00328]

I'm considering the Canadian version also.

wb2fcr great pics, do you notice if it shakes or vibrates when your on the highway?

 

[wb2fcr]

Not that I've seen, or heard.

Right after I installed it I took a trip that had 3 hours of 55 mph + speeds and I was watching and listening. It seemed stable and quiet.

 

[scott78945]

wb2fcr, those are some really nice pics you took. Thank you very much. I really like the low profile of it. Does it completely cover the hood right about the grille area? That seems to be where I keep getting the chips. It is hard to tell from the pics if it goes under the hood a little or just right down to it. Either way I think I would be covered. Again thanks for the awesome pics, it does look great!! I think I am sold on the Canadian model...

 

[iFORCE]

wb2fcr, those are some really nice pics you took. Thank you very much. I really like the low profile of it. Does it completely cover the hood right about the grille area? That seems to be where I keep getting the chips. It is hard to tell from the pics if it goes under the hood a little or just right down to it. Either way I think I would be covered. Again thanks for the awesome pics, it does look great!! I think I am sold on the Canadian model...

It goes right down to the top of the grill.... protecting it good. I highly recommend it. If you have a black vehicle.. it'll blend right in!

 

[wb2fcr]

I echo iFORCE's comments...

It protects the hood nicely, especially the painted part of the hood between the grill and headlight. It molds right along the hood. I didn't want a butt ugly wing on the front of my 4Runner. And I really like the way it blends in with the black color.

Dave

 

[AlexJet]

I have the Canadian deflector and it did vibrate and noise at speed from 65 to 80 mph, over 85-90mph noise disappears. Looks like it some sort of resonance. I have added a door edge guards at the bottom and top portion of the deflector, and this was done with the noise, no more.
I highly recommend it due to the form that covers much more then US version and seems to have better fixing. Some members in this forum had problems with fixtures of US version.

 

[iFORCE]

I have the Canadian deflector and it did vibrate and noise at speed from 65 to 80 mph, over 85-90mph noise disappears. Looks like it some sort of resonance. I have added a door edge guards at the bottom and top portion of the deflector, and this was done with the noise, no more.
I highly recommend it due to the form that covers much more then US version and seems to have better fixing. Some members in this forum had problems with fixtures of US version.

Same thing here.. so I added two more rubber bumpers about 2 inches away from the middle on both sides. I've got it so its wedged between the hood and the deflector and now.. no more vibrations!