Is the plastic cover over the front of the hood needed?

I have a winch installed and the access to the clutch is a challenge. It is easy if I remove the top plastic piece though. Is there a reason I should keep the plastic piece in place and continue my hand gymnastics through the openings of the bumper to the winch? Or can I just remove the plastic cover and not look back?

 

Picture is with the front plastic piece removed. Sorry for the bugs!

 

I just cut a hole big enough for my arm to reach the clutch. I don't know the purpose of the cover other than makes it look cleaner.

 

Pic of the hole cut out.

 

Nicely done!

Anyone else know other than it looking cleaner? Is there a purpose to this plastic shelf cover thing?

 

I just drilled a large hole, it helps me see when I'm plugging in the winch controller and I can reach both the clutch and controller.
I think I used a 4" holesaw, then just cleaned it up with sandpaper .

 

the hood seals against it. i'd find a way to retain like the above examples.

 

Maybe it’s to direct airflow more efficiently through the radiator.

Or as others stated, it’s cosmetic. In my view, it would be unusual for Toyota to add something to a car for no reason.

 

No different than the hood cover. I think Toyota reasoning is to make stuff under the hood cover up as much as they can so it would clean.

 

Also, the more plastic they use would justify the price increase on the 4runner.

 

OP,

I have a warn EVO 10s mounted on a SSO hybrid bumper. My bumper has access holes on each side of the fairlead slot that provides access to the winch. To make it easy to turn the winch clutch handle, I “clocked” my winch clutch assembly 90 degrees prior to installation and can easily access the clutch handle through the bumper.

Your pic seems to show a hybrid bumper so sharing what I did as a way to make the clutch handle easy to access, assuming your bumper has access holes as mine does.

I also moved the winch control box off the winch and using a “manor mount”, relocated to the radiator support. I also cut about a 4” hole in the plastic cover to give me easy access should I need to connect the remote control cable to the control box. My experience is that the hole makes no difference for cooling…

Cheers,
Bob

 

Kudos for the rectangular hole and the use of the term “clocked”.

 

Every time I take it off I wonder about the purpose of that cover

 

that is exactly what it's for. it helps to not only increase cooling efficiency by keeping the incoming air pressure from spilling up and over the radiator/condenser assembly (instead of passing through it), but also serves to help direct a stream of air from the front hood gap over top of the engine, and carry that air down out of the back of the engine compartment while moving. I think the radiator is also mostly sealed on the sides and bottom for this same reason.

both my 4runner and my civic have this same plastic cover component and they both serve the same purpose.

 

Yeah, this is all part of directing airflow. The radiator has side-baffles that direct air through it, and the cover contains that air column. Somebody also mentioned that the hood weatherstripping seals against that top cover.

If you live in the salt belt, you would probably be able to tell what that cover does. Wait till a snowstorm hits and drive on a busy interstate. The entire engine compartment and everything in it will be covered in that nasty salt spray residue.

Same for dusty roads. Without the cover, you’d get more chaotic airflow and dust will get forced into areas it doesnt need to be.

 

Good info folks! Looks like I will be keeping it in place and cutting an access hole. Thanks to all that replied.

 

maybe find a way to make the cut out a door?

 

Yes, it is needed and could be a safety hazard if not there. I say keep it and make a nice cut around and use trim on the edges so you don't mess up your arms every time you try to reach something. Safety....safety.

 

If by “cover hood” you mean the underside of the hood? Manufacturers put this for 2 reasons, for noise control and more importantly, to help smoother an engine fire.

 

Occam’s Razor right there.

 

This is a pic from Bionic Randy in the wat have you done thread.

 

Update...

Thanks for all the info and ideas. New access hole is cut so I can easily get to the winch clutch.

 

good job on the cut and cleaning the bugs haha. looks great!

 

I put mine back in because it provides a very handy place to put tools, etc. when I'm working under the hood. Now I find it has something to do with cooling the radiator, which is all sorts of important here in AZ, so I'm glad I did.

What I removed and have no idea where I put it is the engine cover, which I find worthless unless someone can educate me on why I'm wrong.

 

OP, I've really found the idea having to open/close the hood every time I want to activate the winch clutch to be a non starter.
I've got an access hole cut in the front thar makes accessing all the controls and clutch a breeze.

Under most circumstances i think it blends well.

 

Not wanting to hijack this thread but since several of you have mentioned it, does anyone know the correct size/part number for the plastic retainer clips for that plastic cover? The ones that a repair shop put back in mine are too small and are not holding it in place and something is jamming against the hood to keep it from popping open when I pull the hood latch from inside the vehicle.

 

https://parts.citytoyota.com/oem-pa...xJmw9MyZuPVJlY29tbWVuZGVkIFByb2R1Y3RzJms9MQ==

 

Mine was a mouse nest ...literally, so I took it off.

 

Hey! Look guys! A radiator cap!