Broken Airbox

So I just bought my 2002 doublecab last week and today I looked into doing the deckplate mod. I pulled out the air filter to check it and I found a hole a little smaller than the size of a dime in the bottom of the box. It is right below where the filter actually sits on the side closest to the engine. I found very small chunks of rock in the bottom of the box. Is that normal?

Should I be worried about this? Or should I just do the deckplate mod and forget about it? I get the deckplate for $1.81 from my work so this will be a very cheap upgrade.

 

I have found small pebbles and sand in air boxes over the years. You should be able to repair the air box with some type of product sold at parts stores.

 

I'd use ductape if it's on the bottom. Who's going to see that?