Foam piece below radiator

Has anyone else removed the piece of foam that is adhered between the bottom of the radiator and the front frame crossmember? I noticed one end of mine was loose so I removed the whole foam piece. I am guessing that this foam is some radiator airflow aid, it also seems like something that will retain water/road salt and corrode that part of the frame. Not sure how important it is that I find some sort of replacement strip of plastic etc. Any thoughts on this one?

 

Keep it.

 

I have read reports of rust forming under the foam but I don't know how common that is. I'm keeping an eye on mine every time I do an oil change.

 

If I did not live in a salt state this would be a no-brainer and yes, I would replace/keep it. I DO live in a salt state so corrosion is always a concern. Not sure if there is a measurable drawback to not replacing this foam.

 

I removed mine after reading numerous threads. I live in Texas, it seems the humidity gets trapped there and causes rust. After 7 years it definitely needed wire brushing and touch up painting. It had some minor pitting.

 

Keep it.

 

A mouse that got in my garage shredded/ate mine. Never replaced it. I think you're fine either way. I'm under my truck all the time and no issues since it's been gone.

 

I found water trapped under mine and rust forming. Removed it.

 

I always thought it was a debris preventer. It also allows expansion when components get hot.

Since there's no active grill system, I doubt the airflow control is too much at risk.

 

Just installed my C4 bumper and found this foam piece. I lifted it a bit and it’s all rust under there. Ugh. Seems it retains and holds moisture/ salt etc.

 

Keep it. Go buy a can of fluid film or wool wax and coat the cross member. If you live in an area where roads are treated in the winter I would have the entire underside of the truck coated. Mine looks brand new after four winters in the North.

 

on my last 4runner '17 I found after 2 years it was holding moisture and rusting the crossmember. I removed it, wirebrushed and coated with cosmoline. On my new one '22, one of the first things I did was remove it, heavy coated with cosmoline and cut and zip-tied plastic from an oil jug to act as an air dam or whatever the foam's purpose is. I do not recommend keeping this foam in place weather youre in the salt belt or not.

 

ive had my car coated with Krown since day one. Water still pools under there and just sits. Even with Krown it doesn’t seem to help

 

I check under the foam periodically during a oil change. Frame cross member is clean and dry after 5.5 years. It must depend on where your located.