Non-functional hood scoop...

In another thread WNYTACOMA mentioned...

Not chiseling at WNYTACOMA, it's just that I have one of those non-functional hood scoops and to be honest, would rather not if it's sole purpose is cosmetic. Will I need it for deck lid clearance when I have the supercharger installed?

 

So if I understood correctly...you're wanting to make this hood scoop functional right? From what I gathered in other threads it's possible to do, but no advantage really.

And the TRD supercharger can be installed for either Tacos with/without scoop.

 

Yeah...The bottom of the hood is all the same cause the inside black part is an insert. So you don't need to for anything.

 

That's what I wanted to know, thanks for that. Now I can source a hood without the scoop as for me it's a nuisance issue as I don't see it as value added. In another thread someone had mentioned that they had success with a carbon fiber hood manufacturer so Monday I'll call them up and see about sourcing one ready for paint without the scoop molded into it.

And thanks again for the clarification, much appreciated.

 

Fake hood scoops remind me of rear spoilers on a front wheel drive car.

 

lol true that

before i found out it's non functional, i saw it as a distraction blocking my view if i were to park in close spaces like garage where every inch i'd need to get in...when i found it's non functional oh boy just say no

 

I understand that most of these are just for looks & have never been tested, BUT, just because it is front wheel drive doesn't mean it doesn't need rear traction at speed.

 

What are the rear tires doing that they need to be pushed down against the pavement? It's the front drive wheels that need traction, the rear wheels are just pulled along and if a spoiler is catching the wind and pushing down on the rear wheels it just adds weight to the rear. Sorry, I just don't buy it.

The hood scoop adds a small amount of drag to the truck which will reduce mpg.

 

I have a non scooped hood, if you want to trade it for the scooped hood....

 

Based only on the subject of traction, sure, a "rear" spoiler doesn't do much for a front wheel drive car if anything at all. Now if we're talking high speed scenarios, a rear spoiler actually serves a purpose to the car in providing stability by reducing lift and drag. It's the same concept as the airplane wing...the faster the speed, the less pressure you get over the wing and more pressure under the wing, thereby, creating lift (Bernoulli's Principle). If you add a spoiler, it kills this lifting effect (hence, the name). As far as traction is concerned a front air dam serves the purpose of keeping the front wheels pinned to the ground and not the rear spoiler.

I'm sure the hood scoop provides a negligible amount of drag to affect the mpg by that much...bug shield would be the same thing. I'd be willing to bet that larger tires would put more of a hurting on mpg than the non functional hood scoop.

 

so your saying that there is no reason to ever do anthing to your truck that is cosmetic only? wash it? new rims? de-badge? leveling kit? i think that most people do mostly cosmetic things to thier cars and trucks.

 

This was in regards to how rear spoilers are useless for fwd cars. No one said anything about not doing anything cosmetic to your truck...do what you want with it.

 

I appreciate the offer but I'll be going with an aftermarket solution, but if interested I will PM you first if I decide to sell it.

I concur, now I just have to sort out how to chop an inch or so out of the interior rear view mirror drop stalk so I can raise it up to claim even more of my view of the exterior world from the drivers seat.

With what little knowledge of aerodynamics and their application to automobiles that I have, I agree that the non-functional hood scoop is in a fairly neutral position and therefore any resistance, or drag created by it would be negligible to nil as you said. Your mileage may vary.

I'd have to agree with that statement but when you register up on an enthusiast message forum that is specifically geared towards one manufacturers model I'd say that removes you and those like you from the "most people" category. Speaking for myself the Tacoma in my garage is not my daily driver and the modifications I have undertaken as well as have planned for it are all geared primarily towards function and not form. Again, your mileage may vary.