Wade In-Channel Vent Visors

[CrimsonCountry]

I just bought a set of Westin Wade in-channel vent visors from autoanything for $46.95 shipped. They were cheaper because I had them price match this ebay store's price.

I wanted them because I like to crack my windows while parked in the summer. I am extremely anal about my truck's appearance and the only way I was going to add any visor was in-channel. I am aware of the possible negatives down the road regarding the stretched channels, increased wind noise, and motor wear. However, I felt these were fairly insignificant and decided to go ahead and make the purchase.

I had initially wanted the Weathertechs due to their slim look but couldn't justify the $115 price tag. After looking further, I found the Wades. The Wades were less than half the price, looked just as good, and, in my opinion, appear to be of nearly the same quality (..if not 100%).

They were extremely easy to install. I simply made sure the channels were clean of dirt and dust and thoroughly cleaned the window to reduce the chance of any scrapes/scratches. After placing them in the channel, I rolled the window up and down 5 times and closed the door twice in order to get a tight fit. The Wades have 3m tape on the fronts and backs vs Weathertechs rear tape only. Their front visors seems to have a tighter custom fit as they remain seated due to pressure alone. Install time was roughly 10 minutes.

NOTE: Be sure to test fit them BEFORE taking the plastic strips off the tape. Once the visors are inside the channel, make note of the exposed 3M tape, if any. It seems the tape is just thrown on the visors and some parts of it will remain exposed when installed if not trimmed beforehand. A utility knife and steady hands worked for me.

Also, the Wades had a little sticker on each visor (used to indicate the correct side for the rears) that is easily taken off as I prefer the "clean" look.


Overall, I am extremely happy with my purchase and feel that they are well worth the price.:biggrin2: Hopefully, my opinion wont change.

This many pics may seem like overkill for just window visors but I've tried to include all the pictures that I wanted during my search...

I'll update this post whenever the visors have fully set in and I am able to roll my windows back down.

 

[CrimsonCountry]

UPDATE: The visors are holding up great so far. I just got back from a 3 hour drive at interstate speeds and the visors were very sturdy. At no point did I feel that they were about to fly out of the channel.

It is worth noting that I left my windows up for 5 days before ever rolling the window back down. I have read that some were having trouble with the auto up feature not working correctly....no such issues here. My window worked flawlessly the first time. I feel that this is due to giving them sufficient time to set themselves inside the channels.

 

[T24TODD]

appreciate the time, pictures, and research involved. Not another half assed thread even though there only window guards. Hell i feel obligated to buy the same set now. :bigok:

 

[Doozi]

Great write-up! I've been looking into getting a set of these and now I know I will... thanks!

~Doozi

 

[CrimsonCountry]

:thanks:Thanks TODD and Doozi! I'm always glad to help anyone out. After all, I've got tons of help from this site myself. And it is a little in-depth for visors, but I tend to be overly analytical and slightly OCD when it comes to my 4runner (i.e., researching tires months before I even bought my 4runner lol) so I just wanted to share my thoughts

I would definitely recommend them. I also like the illusion of a shorter window...just something about the look that I like.

Updated post

 

[CrimsonCountry]

Update.....

Well, after several thousand miles with the window visors, I decided the pros no longer outweighed the cons. My decision to remove them was based on the following:

1) Fit-I began to notice the front glass itself (both driver and passenger) was being pinched in the front in the last few inches when rolling the window up. This caused the glass to lean forward and, I felt, would eventually lead to problems down the road. Mainly, it just bugged the perfectionist in me.

Also, the visors never seemed to get completely out of the way of the window and still made a loud squeek every time I rolled them up. This was also true in the beginning as well but I thought that it would go away...it didn't.

2)Wind noise-I'm not sure if it was due to the end of the honeymoon phase or what but I began to notice the increased wind noise more and more as time passed. The noise increase wasn't that bad when the window was either directly in front/behind the vehicle. However, the crosswinds really made these things howl. I assume this is due to the sharp edges.

I'm sure not everyone will encounter these issues...and if so, they may not be as big of a deal. Overall, I'm happy they came out as easily as they did and I will not be adding anymore visors to my vehicle.

NOTE: The weathertechs, which I feel do look a little better, can be had for $79.99 shipped from Crutchfield by the coupon code found on retailmenot. If I were to buy mine again, I would spring for the extra $30 and get the weathertechs. At the time I purchased my Wades, they were $115.

 

[IanKenway]

WeatherTech Wins Again(?)

Well, after several thousand miles with the window visors, I decided the pros no longer outweighed the cons. My decision to remove them was based on the following:

1) Fit-I began to notice the front glass itself (both driver and passenger) was being pinched in the front in the last few inches when rolling the window up. This caused the glass to lean forward and, I felt, would eventually lead to problems down the road. Mainly, it just bugged the perfectionist in me.

Also, the visors never seemed to get completely out of the way of the window and still made a loud squeek every time I rolled them up. This was also true in the beginning as well but I thought that it would go away...it didn't.

2)Wind noise-I'm not sure if it was due to the end of the honeymoon phase or what but I began to notice the increased wind noise more and more as time passed. The noise increase wasn't that bad when the window was either directly in front/behind the vehicle. However, the crosswinds really made these things howl. I assume this is due to the sharp edges.

I'm sure not everyone will encounter these issues...and if so, they may not be as big of a deal. Overall, I'm happy they came out as easily as they did and I will not be adding anymore visors to my vehicle.

NOTE: The weathertechs, which I feel do look a little better, can be had for $79.99 shipped from Crutchfield by the coupon code found on retailmenot. If I were to buy mine again, I would spring for the extra $30 and get the weathertechs. At the time I purchased my Wades, they were $115.

Thanks a bunch for going the extra mile--not only with the initial review, but with the follow-up as well. I'm the same way as far as things bugging me when they're not right. When they are, I am happy to spend the dough. While it's unfortunate you weren't pleased with the product, it is fortunate for me (or us) that you did such a solid write-up.

After getting the WeatherTech DigitalFit FloorLiner mats, and seeing how awesome they were, the I figured all their products would likely follow suit. Even if a bit more expensive, they sound like they'll be worth it. Thanks a bunch!

 

[CookieRoe]

The reasons you list are exactly the reasons I HATE in channel visors. I've tried them years ago and sounds as though they haven't improved. They are never right (fitment, window noise, stickiness, etc etc). Many have had luck with them and that's great. I did the insane thing and bought factory Toyota visors (from Japan) and 4 years later, still look new, no oxidation, no leaks. They are stick on though, which is fine by me. I absolutely love them. When I lived in South America, my Surfs had them. They were OEM and I was impressed by the quality. When I moved back to the US and got a 4R, I thought I would give them a try. I'm still impressed. Expensive though.......... Anyway, these types of visors will not ruin paint/black trim finish. I've taken off these types of visors before and surface were NEVER damaged.

Anyway, try finding a quality set of stick on visors. My two cents...........

 

[Doozi]

I've had WeatherTech in-channel visors for about four years now. Before I installed them I noticed some rough areas (parting lines, flash) so I polished the in-channel part with 1200-grit sandpaper. I had to assist the windows to them to the fully closed position the first time and then left them closed for almost two weeks so that the seal would compress and create the needed room for the window plus the visor. They work well and I haven't noticed any ill effects on the glass or the window tint. A little more work than the stick-ons, but I ended up loving the way they look.

 

[8sm]

We've had the wade in-channel visors for a few years. Purchased to hopefully resolve for the same venting options mentioned above. Which in my case have more then met our expectations .... Warm air out when parked and while driving keeping the cool fresh air circulating when it's raining. Bonus fo sur!

As far as the noise factor, I'm sure it exist along with the phone ringing, music blaring, Borla exhaust drone and the occasional boost whine.

That is to say..... I've have a minor list of nuisances that goes along with modding our beloved 4runners. Like the new wade bug shield installed it....hated the look and now collecting dust in the far corner of the shop.

Live and learn ...... Regards 8sm