Hood Flutter

Haha!

 

Wiggly hoods are a beloved Toyota feature.

 

My LX470 hood has been shaking for 25 years. The solution has been for me to just stop noticing it.

 

This makes good sense; hit ‘em right in the brand.

 

I know there have been some complaints on the 2025 4Runner and the "aluminum hood shake" .. maybe the same problem ??

 

My theory: Aluminum has a thermal expansion rate three time higher than steel. Hot turbo underside panel of hood expands more than cold outside panel. Underapplication of adhesive results in separation of the panels.

 

This issue is mostly for folks with the scoop? I see a tiny bit of flex on my plain OR hood but nothing to worry about.

Seems like scoop hoods could be easily fixed by Toyota with additional bracing.

 

Id probably just remove the fake

 

My Trailhunter hood doesn’t really move at all.

 

My TRD Sport hood shakes and moves a lot, especially at highway speeds. I definitely would not call it a flutter!!!

 

My Pro barely moves.

 

Your complaint was posted.

 

Ok…was on highway today, not quite 70mph, but I had no flutter or shaking today. No explanation…

 

I tucked a few pieces of denser foam between the hood and the support. Haven't really noticed it since.

 

Got on the interstate for the first time today. 80mph and zero hood movement.
I don’t think I have a hood problem, I have a road problem. Tucson roads are terrible.

So it doesn’t appear to be an airflow issue, either from underneath or turbulence from the scoop. The hood just bounces on bumpy roads.

The bounce may be more noticeable with a Pro/Sport since the hood is more in your field of view. Still may be a bonding issue.

 

3M has 3 different automotive adhesive foam products, from non-expandable to expandable, that I assume would fix the flutter. The only issue is applying it correctly so you don't add too much and blow-out the hood skin. I'm a tad apprehensive about using it myself and not sure what Toyo would say if a claim surfaces, under warranty. The ironic part is they can apply it, correctly, and satisfy a huge customer base for pennies on the dollar of material cost.

As posted earlier, I did my 2nd gen, but it was a different product and you can see the hood frame and skin to avoid any misstep on the application.

 

My dealer contacted me three business days after I contacted Toyota Brand Engagement about the hood bounce. Dropped it off yesterday (they gave me a rental) and picked it up today. Service advisor said that when they spoke with Toyota they said they were aware of the issue.

 

That’s like saying the guy in the airplane seat in front of you is aware that he is farting up a storm. Not his problem.

 

After Toyota engineers complete their work on artificial hood scoops that don’t bounce the hood, perhaps they can then apply their findings towards the development of a toupee that doesn’t move on windy days.

 

This only applies to hood scoops on pro’s and sport? My off road hood has a slight wobble towards the windshield side during high speeds. Which I think is normal considering the hood is lightweight aluminum like most modern cars these days.