OEM Bug/hood deflector is garbage (Canadian version)

My new truck came with this thing pre installed. (PN PU500-35150) I debated if I should just leave it or try to remove it before it's too late.

I decided to download the install instructions and immediately cringed.
-There are 4 large outer plastic pieces that are stuck directly on top of the hood.
-There are 3 additional rubber stoppers that are stuck on top of the hood.
-There are 4 'abrasion pads' stuck on the hood (basically tape) which 4 metal brackets slide over. Again on top of the hood.

I figured I should probably leave it be but thought I would inspect the install. Of course whoever installed it at the dealer missed placed one of the abrasion pads so the metal bracket was straight on the hood *face palm*

I knew I had to remove it to at least address that issue. Once it was off I didn't see any obvious paint damage anywhere so I kept going. It took about an hour to get the tape/rubber stoppers/outer brackets off with a heat gun.

Then another 2-3 hours to get the glue off and polish/shine it back up.

Painful.

It looks good now and I am glad I removed it. It's a poor design imo and will definitely lead to paint damage on top of the hood.

Anyway... just a little information b/c I noticed a few threads of American's wanting this thing... don't waste your time.

I am not even going to try and sell it... straight to the trash. Or I might do this to it lol

 

I was thinking about getting one. glad I didn't. looked too much like an old time mustache to me

 

AVS

Not "pretty" but does the job it is designed for

 

They're all ugly

 

http://www.autoanything.com/deflectors/avs-aeroskin-ii-hood-protector

Areoskin ll

 

I wasn't bashing any other deflectors... just the OEM one as stated in the first post. I have no idea how the others attach.

They look fine imo and I am sure they serve a purpose but that OEM design with sh*t stuck all over the hood is junk.

 

Don't buy an Areoskin then. They have 3M tape along the top and bottom that sticks to your hood/paint.

 

X2 love my aeroskin

 

Toyota, as far as I know, doesn't make a hood shield. Or do they? You say OEM, but from what I've seen different dealerships use different products.

My dealership uses only AVS. Instead of ordering it thru the dealer I ordered it myself on-line, less than half the dealership price, for the same exact one the dealership uses. I got the part number from the Accessories Manager.

It was super easy to install. Six or seven screws, and four small pencil eraser head size plastic pads you stick onto the hood.

The hood shield, like just about everything in life, is owner preference. Some folks Love'm and others Hate them. I happen to be in the Love them group! Not only for their functional purpose, I've already had several rocks/road debris fly up, hit the shield, and go right over the top of the truck. Nothing has hit the windshield yet.

But I also love the look. Mainly for the way it breaks up all the white. Especially since my color theme is Black on White! But again, it's owner preference. If you don't like the look don't install one, or remove it. Somebody will surely like it, give it away for free!

 

this.

 

Not mine! It's Sexy!

 

If you go to Toyota Canada and build a Tacoma... one of the options is hood deflector as seen here under accessories. [link]https://www.toyota.ca/toyota/en/build-price/tacoma [/link]

My understanding is that the US site does not list a bug deflector. I could be wrong but either way this deflector is part of the build so I assume that means it's OEM . Perhaps we are using different terminology but if you build and select a bug deflector here this is the one you are getting from the factory.

 

Toyota.ca just changed their website, and I don't even see them listed at all anymore. They are a dealer installed accessory, similar to the bed mat, tub mats, etc. The accessory parts list my dealer printed for me shows it as PN PU500-35150, with an MSRP of $130 uninstalled.

 

It's there..
- click the link I provided above
- then click accessories
- right below the 'bed cleat' click 'show all accessories'

Then you should see it

As you can see in the pic below (mine) has Toyota etched in the plastic



Here are the PDF instructions from Toyota also..

 

Just what was this "dog awful" thing designed to do..?? It looks like real unicorn shit....except, of course, on your white truck..!!

I can't see the purpose of this thing... it's too low to stop any rocks/bugs from hitting the W/S, and your hood will fade elsewhere and when this thing dies from the UV rays... your hood will look like shit....!

 

Same terminology, but I've never seen it on the U.S. Build site. Must be why dealerships use whatever brand they happen to like better.

Even here regions do things completely different as well as different pricing. Doesn't make sense to me.

 

It's like look'n at men, most are Butt Ass Fugly, but gals always seem to find one they can tolerate. Even tho every other gal looks at that same guy and thinks to themselves "What was she thinking......"

I've had several rocks/debris hit the thing and the debris seems to just bounce over the truck. So far so good!

As far as "fading" I'll most likely be long gone dead before that becomes an issue.

 

Cool man... I like the "girly" theory..!! Maybe that's it... The beauty is in the "beholder"...

 

Like an Ol Boss of mine once said: "It's not about how good you feel......Its about how Good You Look!"

 

They do as good as a K & N...