Which hood bug guard...

Yep, Its a 30 minute ride for me but the store is pretty cool!
I've had mine on, never installed the little rubber safety bumpers, been through the car wash and never had an issue.. it does not do squat for bugs but it does a great job protecting front the hood!

 

+1

 

No. They don't work. I installed the AVS and just before a 3400-mile road trip to Mexico and back, I got a rock chip directly in the driver's view of my windshield.

They prevent rock chips on the leading edge of the hood, but do nothing to protect your windshield. That said, mine looks nice and is of high quality, but is absolutely useless as a bug or rock deflector.

 

I'm old enough to remember the bug and rock deflectors that actually used to work back in the 80's...

 

I agree 100%

 

Here is my 2020 sr5 with weathertech rock and stone deflector. Install was very easy.

https://ibb.co/fYQcx1C

 

Boogak--that weather tech looks very sharp. I have another buddy that got one. I am leaning towards that now since the AVS BD II needs tape to prevent rubbing and scratching paint

 

I was debating between the weathertech and avs. The weathertech looked better and easier install so I went with it.

 

Does anyone know of a miniature grill mounted assault style weapon that can vaporize love bugs BEFORE they impale themselves into my paint?

 

Nice!

 

Sandblaster, this may sound dumb but I keep a fresh coat of wax on my vehicle and especailly the front bumper/grill etc. That wax really does make it easier to clean off the bugs and I use a bug sponge on the front (sponge with light netting on it). Just a suggestion

 

Thanks Mac - appreciate your input. In my younger days (you know, 50 years or so back) I was meticulous with keeping my rig waxed & clean - but at 77yo I just peddle it down to the carwash for there $10 wash & wax..

Just FYI, I have also heard that (wet) dryer wipes are very effective in removing them critters..

 

I hear you Sandbuster, I am in my mid 40's and will admit I still enjoy detailing my cars but I take my time more so now. I can see that day approaching where I say heck with hit though and hit the car wash. I am the crazy dude still now taking my car to the quarter wash in the middle of a Michigan winter with my buckets of soapy water --maybe someday I will get smart and stop----or spend winters in warmer climate like yourself.

 

Been there Done that - LOL

 

McKee’s 37 actually makes a product that you apply to your front end before a road trip and then wash off when you reach your destination. It’s like a lotion you apply that stays wet/slimy on your vehicle for your trip. And then it allows you to easily spray or wipe off the love bugs.

While it’s not a set it and forget it product, if you know you’re gonna be hitting the bugs, it does sound useful. I think it was made with love bugs, specifically, in mind, as McKees is based in Florida.

 

Sounds like either way one is going to end up washing the rig. You learn pretty quickly in Florida that love bugs have to be removed relatively soon or the acid in them will eat into your paint so reluctantly I keep a soap bucket handy when the little boogers are in season. Another plus for me is that the selling dealer has a killer drive through car wash that is a freebee to Toyota vehicles.

 

I just ordered the same one on Amazon. Signed up for Amazon store credit card and got the bugflectorII for FREE.................me like free

 

I have the AVS on my third gen, however, I can't see a reason for putting one on my 5th gen. There are a lot more painted areas on the front that will get chipped and such. Why just protect the front of the hood?
Only reason I could see putting one on my 5th gen would be for looks, and IMO, looks worse than without. Just my $.02.

 

"To each his own"I guess. I happen to like the looks of the Bugflector .
I had one on my Ford explorer for 10 years and it looked great.
The new one for the 4runner just arrived today and it looks ok, but the plastic quality is not as thick as my last one from 10 years ago.

 

As far as looks go, I guess it all depends on which brand Ya go with. The one seen on my 3rd gen is an AVS.
Don't have to stick any bumpers on the paint either. The front end is of course very different than the 5th gen.

 

Mine didnt come with any stickers for the attachment points (or maybe I just missed them when unpackaging). But, the inserts seem to keep the deflector from touching the underside of the hood.

 

Mine has been installed for a few years. Prolly a slightly different install now, I guess.

 

looks like my High school parking lot lol

 

I wish I would have read this thread before I bought the OEM Hood Protector.

 

One thing with my AVS bugflector II is, in the winter ice gets trapped under the deflector and then slides around and when it breaks up, it can come flying back at your windshield at high speeds

 

These things look hideous.

 

I really like the AVS Aeroskin thus far. Protects leading edge from rock chips and no gap to trap debris or dynamic movements to rub paint. Not much by way of “bug deflecting”. For me it was leading edge of hood protection more than anything.

 

My earlier post was that it does not protect at all, any more of the front end painted surfaces. Does not deflect bugs either. Does not look bad, however, IMO, it is srictly cosmetic.
On the other hand, I have one on my 3rd gen because it DOES protect the painted front of my hood, thus serving a purpose.

 

Is that actually stuck onto the hood with adhesive?

 

it uses 3M body tape
Used across the industry to attach all sorts of body moldings and such. Same as the badges on the B-pillar