Wanted: Clips for Hood Protector "Bug Shield"

[drtryan]

I found a used bug shield from an 07 Tacoma and its missing ONE of the clips that attach it to the hood. I stopped at a Toyota dealer and they wanted $55 to replace that clip. Yes, you read that right. They wanted to sell me a "kit" that was $55 for an item that is only $99 in their catalog.

I only need ONE clip so if anyone has one, has a suggestion on where to look, etc, please PM me or post it here.

$55 for a single clip.... Are they stupid?????

[WNYTACOMA]

Crappy shield. Get a better one that doesn't have the hood damaging clips.

A good one will cost you about $60-$70 new.

[drtryan]

Do you have a suggestion on a better one??

[T@co_Pr3runn3r]

Well, since you have the bad one already then your hood must already be ruined so I would check the FS section for someone who's gettin rid of their crappy one for less than the price of the mysterious good one. If you find one lemme know, I'll buy a couple of the clips from ya since I already have the bad one too.

[drtryan]

Nope, my hood is NOT ruined. As stated in the original request, I just bought the bug shield used. Its never been on the truck.

But if you want the clips, I'll sell them to you for 1/2 the dealer cost!

[T@co_Pr3runn3r]

Was just jokin about the hood being ruined. It gets a lot more ruined by not having one if you drive a lot of hwy. Mine has these little pads under the clips so not sure what is getting ruined. I have 2 pads without clips so guessing those 2 are missing. Don't really need the whole set but I'd be willing to give ya 10 or so for a couple shipped to 77494.

[drtryan]

If I end up not using the shield I'll get back to you on 'em...

[T@co_Pr3runn3r]

Cool, here's link to more types, just scroll past the Lund ones listed to the list of others.

http://www.car-stuff.com/mmparts/toy...hield.html#top


edit - nevermind, the links don't work but there is the list of different people making them to search for elsewhere I suppose.

[auart]

Check my thread on the hood protector. There are pics of some Weathertech and Wade , which are the brands I would go with... They dont damage the hood.
I sent one back after installing it (Toyota) and the dealer agreed to take it back so I got lucky, that was the ugliest accessory they sell... IT looked bad and will damage the hood no doubt!
Here my thread.......
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...o-high-up.html

[drtryan]

<Check my thread on the hood protector.>

Thanks for the info and link...

[pataco]

yes i have the factory one and they do f*@! your hood up.DONT put it on man.go on there suggestion,youll be better off.later

[WNYTACOMA]

Originally Posted by drtryan

Do you have a suggestion on a better one??

I have the AVS and am happy with it. Picked it up a Pep Boys when they were on sale for 49.99. i think. It was right after i bought the truck last November.

The truth is, i think pretty much every BS is better than the Totoya shield with the clips. That 'design' is truly moronic, and i can't fathom how that was ever allowed to exit the drawing board other than into the can. It wasn't like other designs that don't contact the top of the hood hadn't been out for years already.

I just don't see what they were thinking, at all.

[WNYTACOMA]

Originally Posted by T@co_Pr3runn3r

Was just jokin about the hood being ruined. It gets a lot more ruined by not having one if you drive a lot of hwy. Mine has these little pads under the clips so not sure what is getting ruined. I have 2 pads without clips so guessing those 2 are missing. Don't really need the whole set but I'd be willing to give ya 10 or so for a couple shipped to 77494.

The obvious decision would be to get one of the many shields (possibly every one but the Toyota shield?) that don't have multiple clips in contact with the top painted surface of the hood.

Tricky concept, but it makes sense if you really think about it.

[T@co_Pr3runn3r]

Mine was on there when truck was bought preowned so too late, I didn't get to choose so just gonna leave it on there for now. I do not disagree that there are better designs available.

[WNYTACOMA]

Originally Posted by T@co_Pr3runn3r

Mine was on there when truck was bought preowned so too late, I didn't get to choose so just gonna leave it on there for now. I do not disagree that there are better designs available.

I can't tell from your location coordinates whether you are in the salt belt like i am.

Chaffed / exposed paint in our neck of the wood is especially vulnerble due to the salt bath though a sizable chunk of the year.



For the OP, i also had a Lund on my 2000 Tacoma and that one was equally as good as my AVS design. Be sure not to wax the shields or they get dull, as happened with my Lund. I suspect had i read the care instuctions, they probably would have made it clear to me not to wax it.

Keep it to the car wash / water mix for the shield and wax around it.

[T@co_Pr3runn3r]

Not in salt belt, see whatcha mean about that angle tho.