Toyota Hood Protector...Why does it sit so high up?

I just got his thing and installed it and it looks kinda goofy sitting up like it does. There is a gap between it and the hood where small rocks and bugs could fly in underneath I would think. Check out my pictures and I would like for someone to tell me what I did wrong. I have seen others that had these and they look snug down to the hood.




From above it doesnt look so bad... but straight on you can see the gap.

 

are those mounting brackets i see?
can they be turned to face the other way?
can you install it without them?

 

Can you take it back and get an EGR or Lund? the factory shield looks goofy with them brackets. The aftermarket shields wrap under the hood with no gaps.

 

I don't have one of these, so I'm not speaking from experience, but it looks like your brackets are backwards.

Nice looking truck by the way.

 

Honestly it looks like its installed wrong. I have one and it looks nothing like that...

It should be attached underneath the hood

 

Hoping someone has one of these that is the TOYOTA brand that has an idea about these stupid brackets. They look silly. I tried every possible way and this appears to be the only way, it matches the picture in the instructions.
I think I am stuck with this since it has been installed.

 

It is installed correctly. This is how the Toyota hood protector mounts to the hood, quite ugly IMO. Did you put any tape between the clips and your hood? Mine has clear tape on the hood to protect it from the clips; however the clips are starting to rub through the tape.

 

I had one of the Toyota bugshields installed when I first bought my truck I took it off within a week and replaced it with a Weathertech model. The Toyota one will damage your hood. The metal brackets will wear through the mylar tape and scratch the piss out of the paint on top, under and on the leading edge of you hood. The Toyota bug guard is junk.

 

Yea I used the Mylar tape things. Just wish it sat lower and didn't have that gap!
If I had seen one of these I wouldn't have bought it.
I will probably take it off and make someone a deal on it.

 

Take the clips off even if it doesn't go that way and screw the botls under the hood.The one I have was mounted under the hood.

 

Is yours the TOYOTA branded one? Does it have Toyota imprinted on the drivers side end?
If so, PLEASE take a close up pic underneath and I will see if I can do this!

 

Yeah get an EGR or Lund one instead. Far superiour.

 

Be careful when you go tru the car wash I broke my..

 

x2

 

No, mine is not the Toyota one but the hole/bracket placement are the same just no brackets and have no problems going thru carwashes.

 

That's what I like to hear...I had a Lund on my 96.
Do they install in a similar manner on the 05+ as they did on the 1st gens?

 

I broke mine twice removing the snow on the hood

 

do you really need one when the hood is not directly exposed to the elements?

 

Not sure what you mean by that....

The hood protectors are more for higher speeds and protecting againest bug splatters & rock chips -especially on the highway. Technically, it's supposed to direct the wind upwards and over the cab....

 

Just curious... I sent the Toyota one back today thanks to the guy at the dealer I bought from being Ok with me sending it back!
I like the look of yours and the way it sits, much more sleek!
What Brand?
Also, your grille is nice too, is that a Boltover type from Grillcraft?