Is Toyota This Cheap?

I bought this 2013 Taco about a month ago and I was wondering why the engine bay gets so dirty so soon after a few days of driving on the salted roads. I looked and suspected that this gaping hole may have been the culprit. Both sides between the front tires and the engine compartment have nothing there to keep dirts, grimes, salt, or splashes away from the engine compartment. Is this normal for all Tacos?

Is there anything out there I can buy to fix it or should I take it back to Toyota and point it to them ? My 2000 Taco Access cab had nothing shocking like this $34k Taco.

 

Their should be a little rubber cover?

 

Yeah my 07 had a cover but 2-3 wheeling trips and it came off any way.

 

Don't think mine ever had a cover there.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-builds/97780-andrew-h-my-build-9.html#post3175314

Yeah I don't think I've ever had a cover behind the uca.

 

You might be able to peice some of this stuff in there. Unless you get rubber and rivets
http://www.autotempairandsound.ca/automotive/accessories/audio-enhancements/340-dynamat-custom

 

Why yes I think they are indeed this cheap. If I am not wrong I think mine does not have a cover on it as well.

 

I have an 06 and think about upgrading but the more i read in here about the 12's and up. i think it may not be such a good idea.

 

Uh yeah all 05+ Taco's have that hole there along with the 2 rubber "shields". My engine bay gets dirty as shit and salty here in Ohio but normal.

 

My 07 has the same open area... completly normal. If your driving on salted roads though getting the engine bay a little dirty will be least of your problems.

 

Good point^^

I need to make some fender liners.

 

rubber, drill, aluminum rivets, touch up paint, and carry on with your life

 

A complete rust proofing job and frequent truck wash will reduce some some of my anxiety about seeing her rusting away like butter on a hot pan. The problem is, the pressure wash spray salt, dirt, and grimes right through that gaping hole into the engine compartment. Oh well....! Gotta have to be creative on this "poor man's truck".

 

Step 1: Those two holes above the shock mount, will the round black snaps fit in there? If so buy 4 of those from dealership, buy some thing rubber like the the stuff on there and make your own engine compartment cover thingy. Maybe rivet it to the factory flaps also.

Step 2: stop crying

 

1. Sure, will have to be creative.

2. Love to cry over spilled milk hahaha...! Nah...just a little disappointed w/ Toyota.

 

1st gen FTW

 

You could get flaps from an older Toyota at a wreckers, and attach it.

 

My 2012 looks is exactly the same 'cept for the SR5 shocks

 

Heck, to be honest, I don't see how Toyota could effectively cover in that area. I see a whole lot (shocks, suspension arms, lines, etc) sticking through, much of it going well past your image area. How would you fix it, wrapping whatever (rubber cover, etc) around all that stuff?

 

Ahhh...., just dug up an old photo of my far gone 2000 Taco Off Road Access Cab and how it was covered so well. I could aim the high pressure washer right in there and the dirt and salt would not be blown toward the engine compartment. Toyota has been cutting corners and getting their azzes on the cheap side nowaday !

 

you can purchase some pond liner at home depot.
then some clips from NAPA...

and do your own thing

I used the stuff to replace all of my wheel well liner(s)
after installing a 1" BL

still holding