Which hood bug guard...

I have all the clear bra stuff on there now, XPEL. Then why am I interested in a bug deflector? I think I like how they look on the Gen 5 front end, so just for looks, lol. Is that vanity?

 

I picked mine up used, so it's possible it could have warped a bit in the sun. I may try again with a new one. Wouldn't know whether to go AVS or WeatherTech though.

I could have put a strip of clear tape on top of the grille surround...

 

A lot of the stuff we do on our rides is for vanity, so...

I like the look of a smoked bug deflector on an MGM 4R. On a lighter color, it depends...

 

I know a few friends who suggested getting one because they got hood chips fairly quickly after getting their 4R's. How effective are they, who knows, but logically it seems like it would prevent some sort of damage.

 

Yeah if no clear bra on mine that would be the #1 reason. But it do nothing for the rest of the front end below it, obviously.

 

Ha
Wait untill the rocks hits the deflector and chips the window...ask me how I know
LMAO
It happens

 

Found this review on the AVS Bug deflector on Amazon..

 

Thats not good to see that review-ugh; darned if we do and darned if we don't

 

I kinda feel that most if not all deflectors will rub somewhere a little
Just depends on how they fit but a quick blast with a heat gun and fine tuning can address most issues
Hell even a hot enough hair dryer will work
I'd suggest clear bra under the deflector and on the top portion of grill
That said if there is rubbing it'll only be a matter of time before it's rubbed through
(I vote heat gun)

edit: Maybe it's just me but depending on where it's rubbing it won't bother me much

 

Maybe I got lucky but the weather tech has no rubbing and I don’t use the bumpers. I’ve had it on three different 4runners and still holding up.
At the weather tech store they brought out the self adhesive one and the standard one so I could compare. The stick on one did not line up with the hood lines

 

Just have this photo available right now. Folks are right it does not deflect above the windshield line. It does "minimize" hood chips.

 

Do you know the model number? Im getting confused trying to find one the properly fits a 2021 on Amazon...thanks!

 

I bought this one
Auto Ventshade 25053 Bugflector II Hood Shield

$79 Auto Ventshade [AVS] 25053 Bugflector II Hood Shield | 2010 - 2023 Toyota 4Runner, High Profile, Smoke, 1 pc.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZJ2HMM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_7BAA3HB9C640DW8CBC2P?_encoding=UTF8

 

Anyone know of any deflectors that sit flush to the hood?

 

I don't, but I've been looking in the opposite direction, i.e., not sitting flush to any body part after seeing multiple phots where dirt and debris get trapped and run against the paint.

 

If you want a flush one check out AVS Aerosskin. It’s not for me but the truck place by me likes them. It attaches with tape they tell me. I think it defeats purpose of protection but just my opinion.

I am thinking of going AVS bug deflector II. I wish I could see side by side pics of one versus two though.

 

Hm... never thought of that. I just liked the clean look of it. But Id be worried about it ruining the paint if i ever want to take it off. Considering that its probably taped on using double-sided tape

 

This one. Fits like a charm and the easiest to install.

$94 Auto Ventshade [AVS] Bugflector/Hood Shield | Fits 2010-2024 Toyota 4Runner, 1 pc. | Dark Smoke - 23071

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8K8D4W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8

 

$79 Auto Ventshade 25053 Bugflector II Hood Shield | 2010 - 2023 Toyota 4Runner, High Profile, Smoke, 1 pc.

Auto Ventshade 25053 Bugflector II as others have recommended as well.

You can find it on Amazon.

 

Love this one from AMS.

 

I like the way that looks but saw on another forum someone said it cut down gas mpg. Lemme know how it goes because I like the looks of it

 

I haven't gone through a whole tank of gas yet, if there's a MPG difference it is less than 1MPG, so I'm not worried about that. If it was going from 20 MPG to 15 MPG, then that might be an issue!

 

Ordered it yesterday!

 

BeavertonCommuter, can you takes some pics for us at various angles once you install. I am considering this for mine, hoping my 4R gets to me soon. Should be in port now.

 

I will. I'm most concerned about reports about these hood/bug protectors touching other parts of the front end and marring the finish and issues with closing the hood. These reasons are what motivated to order the AVS item from Amazon so Id have that return fallback as opposed to ordering from weathertec first or other outfit.

 

Weathertech for the win!

 

Yeah I hear you. There is a truck accessory shop near me and they sell both. He said he sells more AVS brand but can can both. They wanted me to get the Aeroskin but I am not a fan of tape going on my new paint. I hoping to keep this 4R 15-20 years. It just tough to find pics of everything on certain vehicles. So that is where we all benefit from this forum

 

Here in Illinois weathertech is popular. They have a factory store in Bolingbrook and it’s pretty busy most days. Easy to install. Took less than 5 minutes.

 

So I ran the Fakespot analyzer on the reviews for the 25053 AVS guard and they gave the reviews a "C" rating.

It's so odd the variability in the reviews with a lot of reviews complaining about poor fitment and, like the one quoted above, actual damage to the paint, while there are lots and lots of reviews extolling the fit and effectiveness of the guard.

 

My AVS BD 2 only makes contact on the underside of the hood. They give you little stickers (ppf) to put on the attachment points. If you wear through the ppf (unlikely), I suppose it could rub paint? But even then, you could paint the underside scuff mark with touch up and not have to worry about it again.

they also give you some little rubber stick-on nubs to put on the front of your hood in case… someone sits on the bug deflector and squishes it onto the hood?? I didn’t use the nubs as I couldn’t foresee any situation when something pushed so hard on the deflector that it would make contact with the outside of the hood. You’ll see what I mean when you install.