OEM Bug Deflector

Hey Folks,

From searching the forums, i've read alot of negativity towards the toyota OEM Deflector.

I haven't seen any pics or really understand where the paint "rubs off" or chips off. But wondering...

if i purchased 3M clear "tape?" from an auto detailing shop that install hood/fender kits, and were to use 2" strips instead of the tiny little strips you get in the kit, and put some of this 3m clear tape where the BIG pads on the tips of the deflector stick onto the hood, Would i still be faced with the same type of issues?

I have a 2014 Tacoma, and all the post about the OEM deflector seem to have been older, have they fixed this for the 12-14 hood?

Thanks

 

Chipped my hood at every mount. I can take pics and post tomorrow if you'd like. They look like unibrows...... Just sayin

 

I've got one on my '14, and it has not chipped my paint. But I doubled up the thickness of the 3M like strips that come in the kit at every mounting location.

Personally I don't mind the OE bug guard, but then again I've had one on every truck I've ever owned. I get them not to keep bugs off the glass, as I've never owned or seen a bug guard keep bugs off the glass. I got it to keep the sand blast and rock chips of the leading edge of the hood.

 

Ok so thats where its chipping,
I dry fitted them metal taps today, and i really didn't like the fact that there so tight to hood, kinda an odd design...

But i wonder if doubleing up and getting good 3M tape would help...

 

It chipped mine and left marks from where it was mounted

 

I haven't had any issues with chipping on mine. I used the thicker of the two pieces of the clear tape. I've had mine on for two years.

 

I had an OEM bugshield on my 2006 for 165,000 miles, I removed it to get he hood painted after a big rock bounced on the highway an dented my hood, that and the superwhite paint had lost its shine, I did not have one mark on my hood from the shield. Those little mylar pads that came with the kit did their job in stellar fashion!

In 2011 or 2012 the bug shield design changed to accommodate the front end changes. I'm looking for a bug shield for my 2014 also, and I do not like the current OEM nor do I like the looks of the AVS

 

Here's how mine looks, like I mentioned I doubled the 3M strips that came with the kit and it is no problem. The metal brackets do not touch any paint at all.

If you do this correctly, the fit and finish is snug and better than any aftermarket alternative.

 

Mine was installed by Toyota at the factory and I haven't had any issues with it.

 

I like what you did there.

Did you stick the far left and right pads directly to the paint?
or did u put more 3m tape there before taping them pads on?

 

Chipped my paint to the metal.

 

oem is fine if you double the protective strips, or just buy the weather tech with no issues.

 

Toyota does not install accessory hoods at the factory maybe the dealership

 

Got him☝️

 

Had mine set up the exact same way. But, after 100000 miles it still wore through and chipped the paint in three spots so took it off and put some touch up in the spots to keep it from rusting.

 

If it chipped the paint you installed it wrong. I put mine on at 17k when I got the truck I'm at 128k now and it never scratched it. Use the clear tape and it will be fine

 

Just out of curiosity, did you double the tape like I did, or just use one layer? The guy that says he doubled his like I did, but his hood was chipped at 100K miles has me worried.

Just installed another OEM shield on my new Off-Road, and did it the same exact way I did on my PreRunner. Hopefully it will hold up like that over 100K miles. I can't see how you could install this part incorrectly, it really only goes on one way.

 

I don't remember that was 7 years ago what ever came in the pack I put on. When all else fails read the instructions

 

That's the thing, the instructions said nothing about doubling up the 3M strips. They just provided extras in case of use error. I've been messing with cars in general long enough to assume one strip per mounting bracket, looked inadequate, hence why I doubled them up.

 

That's good to know, I've already purchased and installed a second OEM shield. I had zero problems with the one on my PreRunner. I also like the flow through design of the OEM version. Looks like it produces less turbulence due to the holes between the shield and hood (probably because Toyota tested it for better mpg's?? **just guessing**)

Knowing there may be the potential for damage, I may replace the 3M clear strips yearly or every other year out of precaution. It wouldn't be that big of a deal to have to do.