vent visor's

[ajc]

I have been thinking about getting these but I'm not really sure if I like the look and to be honest I'm not really sure if I understand the functionality of them. So those of you with them, after you installed, were you happy with the look? And what exactly are they doing for you or do you just have them mainly for looks?

Any recommendations on where to get them? I saw a thread from Sharp4runr from 2006 and I like his but the link to the place he got them no longer works.

Thanks for the info ...

 

[Clemsonfan15]

There are two kinds. The stick on kind and the ones that go in the channels. I prefer the look of the in-channel ones. They are more sleek.

I just use mine so that I can roll down my windows when it's raining for the most part. I think they look pretty good too.

I bought mine on Ebay.

 

[ajc]

something like this? is that a decent price and brand?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-2008-Toyota-4Runner-In-Channel-Vent-Visor-4-Window_W0QQitemZ270372661257QQcmdZViewItem


**did you go to the spring game this past weekend? any baseball games?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Yep, those are them. I think I paid almost the exact same price for mine.

We were in the Caribbean all last week so no Spring game for me. Haven't been to any baseball games either, but we did just beat Miami.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

In-channel looks better on the 4th gens than stick-on but both versions work.

It's nice being able to have your windows cracked and 1) keeps rain out 2) They hide the fact that your windows are slightly open 3) They do reduce wind noise a little at hwy speeds.

Definetly worth the price.

 

[Conspearasea]

I have the weathertech in channel visors and like them MUCH better than the stick ons......Had my truck next to one w/ the stickons and like the "slimline" look of mine.

The weathertechs seem to be very well made and were easy to install and the fit was perfect. I use them to crack the windows when it's raining is my main reason, yet I believe the looks are another good reason to have them.

I paid more for the Weathertech brand than other brands, but I feel the extra money was worth it once I put them in.

 

[SubSonic]

I also have the WeatherTech brand on mine. I've used them for several years now. They allow you to keep your windows rolled down slightly (cracked open) so that hot air can more easily escape during the summer. The interior temp of a vehicle parked in the sun is NOTICEABLY cooler when you can leave your windows cracked open - vent visors make this easy without worries of rain storms or thieves (getting something through the "cracked window" to open the door would be next to impossible).

I won't go back to the stick-on type again, for several reasons: 1) The tape eventually gives up, period, and you have to take them off, buy the right size/strength 3M tape and remount them. 2) The stick-on brand I used to use, AVS (Auto VentShade), begin to fade in a year or two. I've had several sets of WeatherTech for several years now and they're still "smoke" colored and have yet begun to fade to "purple" like the AVS brand smoke-colored ones did on me over the prior decade that I used them.

In fairness: Naysayers will say that in-channel type visors will "stretch" out your weather stripping and will cause your windows to be loose if you ever remove them. That may be true, but I never intend to remove mine, so it isn't an issue. If they ever break or fade, I will replace them - simple.

Naysayers will also say that they "scratch your glass". As I said, I am on my 5th set in the past 4-5 years, still have 3 of the vehicles that they're mounted on (my T4R, my 2000 Tundra and my wife's 2007 Monte Carlo SS) and we have no scratched glass. Maybe those that got scratched glass didn't clean their windows or visors well enough at install?

Naysayers will also say that the added pressure of mounting them "in-channel" will defeat the auto-up feature of some driver/passenger windows. This is somewhat true, due to the safety features contained in newer vehicles that will roll the window back down when enough resistance is met (an answer to the 'choking kids syndrome'). My T4R is the only vehicle I have that experiences this - and only at highway speeds when the wind is pushing hard against the visor. At slower speeds (<55mph) and at standstill, my auto-up feature works fine. Honestly, we have no kids, the T4R's windows controls are out of the way, and I wish we could find or program a defeat for this supposed "safety" feature anyway.

 

[ajc]

Thanks for all the replies. Is there a good place to search for the weathertech's? I assume weathertech only makes one type for an 08 4runner?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I'm not sure about the price of the Weathertech's, but I honestly don't see a problem with buying the ones on Ebay. If they are in-channel then they have to fit perfectly, mine sure did.

Based on that link I think those are made by Wade. All the reviews I have seen have given Wade good marks.

Just searched and the Weathertech's are like $110 for a set and the Wade's are $59. That's almost double the price. I honestly don't see a difference. Guess it's just up to you.

 

[Jeffrey_VB]

I have them (the stick on ones) on my Runner and love 'em. Have on the 'Runner, had them on my Montero, and on my Toyota Pickup I had. As others have mentioned, they allow you to crack the window in the rain and they cut road noise. One thing I also noticed was that they also cut some of the sunlight getting into the car. That will also help keep the cabin cool in the summer.

 

[etom]

i also have the weathertechs and use them for the same reasons metioned above. I am very happy with them and believe you can either get them with or without tint. I got tint for both fronts and backs.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I guess technology has made the AVS stick-on ones a bit better than the older versions since I've had mine on for over 4 years and they are stuck as good as the day i put them on and no change in the color of the plastic and even if they only last 10 years then it was worth the $50 I paid for the set of 4.

In-channel looks the best tho' but my friend has the Weathertech on his '04 Runner and they did loosen up a tad bit on the two driver's side visors after 4 years and rattle a little but not too bad and he doesn't have any issues with scratched glass.


Bottom line is both work the same but it comes down to how they look to you on your truck.

 

[ajc]

Well yall have pretty much convinced me to get them. Now it comes down to either weathertech or wade I think. I'd like them to be as sleek as possible and to not stick out much at all, but yet still do the job. Seems like the stick on ones may protrude out from the truck a little more than the in-channel version .. specifically the weathertech's that I have seen pics of.

 

[Conspearasea]

I paid more to get the weathertech in channels, because like you, I wanted a very slim line look.....I've compared mine to other runners I've seen in person and I personally believe mine are MUCH nicer looking IMO.

I was going to spend less and try some other brands, but I figured I'm putting stuff on a $25k truck, it might be a little late to pinch pennies. That was my justification for the price, plus I've read quite a few happy threads with the weathertech accessories.

I got mine directly from the weathertech website and it was a few bucks cheaper that way. I have been nothing but happy with them thus far. HTH

Here's the only pic I have w/ me on the boat, but maybe someone else can compare w/ a picture of the stick ons for you.

~original[/IMG]

 

[Clemsonfan15]

The stick on ones definitely protrude farther than the in-channel ones.

I'm not sure if there is a difference in the Weathertech and the Wade brands.