fix for tight fitting true flow airfilters---round off the top corners

Bob_98SR5 · 09-09-2006, 08:57 PM

if youve read anything about these filters, one of the biggest complaints is that it is nearly impossible to close the top of a 3.4L air filter box with these true flow air filters.

i had some time to do some maintenance this weekend and figured out what it could be:

a) entire filter is too tall
b) corners are square

given that it would be more difficult to reduce the total height of the filter, i chose to round off the corners. as you can see from the pictures (curved.jpg and whole.jpg), the inner part of the top lid is curved. because the corners of the true flow are square (uncut.jpg), the corners make contact with the inner lid too early, thereby not allowing the lid to easily close.

i took a dremel drum disc (dremel.jpg) and rounded off the corners. i didnt round off enough, but after 1 try, i knew this would work. so i rounded off some more and at least on one side, it was closing effortlessly. so of course, i did both sides.

hopefully true flow will fix this and offer replacement filters and/or permanently fix the problem for future owners.

bob

Bob_98SR5 · 09-09-2006, 08:58 PM

picture of rounded corners as well as drum sanding attachment

**rocket** · 09-09-2006, 11:15 PM

I had no problem with my True Flow filter. It's tight fit (which i like) and my air box lid closes just fine.

Elton · 09-09-2006, 11:38 PM

if i get one ill do that if it dont fit

BruceTS · 09-09-2006, 11:40 PM

My first one fit just fine, but when I purchased a spare, it needed to be trimmed as Bob described.....

humanoid · 09-10-2006, 12:10 AM

Yeah, I had to trim mine. It barely closes now and I think I'll trim it some more when I clean the filter next time.

bigacuralvr · 09-10-2006, 10:34 PM

Has anyone contacted them?? How many people actually have this problem? Mine and my Sister's fit just fine....Let me know, I happen to know the owner of TrueFlow.

Bob_98SR5 · 09-10-2006, 10:52 PM

i let jason burtman know about the problem and he said he contacted them. nothing happened, so i decided to take matters into my own hands.

humanoid · 09-11-2006, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigacuralvr

Has anyone contacted them?? How many people actually have this problem? Mine and my Sister's fit just fine....Let me know, I happen to know the owner of TrueFlow.

I think there's quite a few out there who have done this. I believe I saw something similar on TTORA and CustomTacos too.

marko3xl3 · 09-11-2006, 12:45 AM

This is a real nice solution Bob, as long as you make sure not to cut too much.

I love the way mine fits, it's really tight but since the surround isn't rubber, that's a very good thing.

They should make the casing smaller and then add some rubber around it.

bigacuralvr · 09-11-2006, 12:59 PM

TrueFlow makes all of the filters In-House in AZ. I'll be touring the factory at the PWA show, and will mention something then. I also have the national sales manager in town this wed/thursday, so we'll see if this issue can't be resolved!

Brett

Kroninn · 09-14-2006, 02:01 PM

Sounds Like A Lot Of Time For Not Much Improvement On Performance. I Got A K&n Cold Air Flow Kit And Installed It About 30 Minutes. I Got Ten More Horses And A Mean Sound.

Bob_98SR5 · 09-14-2006, 02:12 PM

shaving the corners is a lot of work?

and thats pretty bold statement there...got a dyno test to prove it, kronin? foam filters have been proven to gain around 6-7 hp. further more, how much did you pay for yours vs a $50 foam filter? bang for the buck-wise, i win.

04 Rocko Taco · 09-14-2006, 02:20 PM

10 hp from a "cold air" kit? seat of the pants maybe, but going by seat of the pants, I picked up a boatload of HP with my deckplate...without a dyno to prove it, its just crap. Sorry.

mastacox · 09-14-2006, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kroninn

Sounds Like A Lot Of Time For Not Much Improvement On Performance. I Got A K&n Cold Air Flow Kit And Installed It About 30 Minutes. I Got Ten More Horses And A Mean Sound.

Welcome to Yotatech...

Now, for the K&N let me tell you that they are pretty much NOT liked around here because they let a lot more dirt into your engine, tend to foul your MAF with filter oil, and cost a LOT for meager gains in horsepower. Most people around here prefer the Airaid MIT tube paired with the deckplate mod and a True Flow drop in filter. This set up gives you slight performance and intake noise increase (equal to or better than the K&N, without the oil fouling or dirt pass-thru), is cheaper, and safer in most conditions.

Here's a little reading for ya, it's made by Gadget, one of the biggest Toyota gurus around here:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadget

This is the test that is sure to get some folks upset. Performance products is selling the K&N FIPK for $219. The K&N FIPK beats the stock box by .6 HP in 1st, 2.8 in 2nd, but looses to the stock box by 3.2 in 3rd for an average loss of .06 HP.

Now if you just cut open the front of the box you get 6.4 HP over the stock box for free or 9.6 over the K&N FIPK. Remember from the previous chart you will get basically the same results by removing the elbow as cutting open the box. I think this might be the way to go so you can pop it back in if you decide to go swimming.

It looks like TRD is right about this one, or close anyway. They told me that they have seen a slight reduction in power, to no improvement with the installation of the K&N FIPK. Of course it does look cool, well once your hood is open anyway.

http://www.gadgetonline.com/Dyno.htm

THUNDER CLOUD · 09-14-2006, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kroninn

Sounds Like A Lot Of Time For Not Much Improvement On Performance. I Got A K&n Cold Air Flow Kit And Installed It About 30 Minutes. I Got Ten More Horses And A Mean Sound.

ghangus is that you?

Bob_98SR5 · 09-14-2006, 07:02 PM

thunder,

hehe

don't matter anymore anyways: banned him for spamming the forum

bob

TDiddy · 09-15-2006, 05:44 AM

I Hate When People Capitalize The First Letter Of Each Word!!!

lee · 09-15-2006, 06:01 AM

thats a filter to stop a caps-locked post!

09-09-2006, 08:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,115	fix for tight fitting true flow airfilters---round off the top corners if youve read anything about these filters, one of the biggest complaints is that it is nearly impossible to close the top of a 3.4L air filter box with these true flow air filters. i had some time to do some maintenance this weekend and figured out what it could be: a) entire filter is too tall b) corners are square given that it would be more difficult to reduce the total height of the filter, i chose to round off the corners. as you can see from the pictures (curved.jpg and whole.jpg), the inner part of the top lid is curved. because the corners of the true flow are square (uncut.jpg), the corners make contact with the inner lid too early, thereby not allowing the lid to easily close. i took a dremel drum disc (dremel.jpg) and rounded off the corners. i didnt round off enough, but after 1 try, i knew this would work. so i rounded off some more and at least on one side, it was closing effortlessly. so of course, i did both sides. hopefully true flow will fix this and offer replacement filters and/or permanently fix the problem for future owners. bob Attached Thumbnails

09-09-2006, 08:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,115	picture of rounded corners as well as drum sanding attachment Attached Thumbnails

09-09-2006, 11:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
rocket Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,337	I had no problem with my True Flow filter. It's tight fit (which i like) and my air box lid closes just fine. __________________ under construction: '96-'02 gone: '92

09-09-2006, 11:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toledo,Oregon Posts: 9,144	if i get one ill do that if it dont fit __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto mom 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

09-10-2006, 12:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
humanoid Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sunny SoCal Posts: 1,206	Yeah, I had to trim mine. It barely closes now and I think I'll trim it some more when I clean the filter next time. __________________ '99 Taco PreRunner V6 3.4L

09-09-2006, 11:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
BruceTS Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,319	My first one fit just fine, but when I purchased a spare, it needed to be trimmed as Bob described.....

09-10-2006, 10:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
bigacuralvr Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Evans/Greeley, CO Posts: 294	Has anyone contacted them?? How many people actually have this problem? Mine and my Sister's fit just fine....Let me know, I happen to know the owner of TrueFlow. __________________ Current: 94 4Runner SR5 3.Slow...for now. SOLD. :( 99 4Runner Limited SuperCharged, Hood Scoop, Westin Bull Bar, PIAA 510's, PIAA GTX Heads and Fogs, ProComp 1069's, True Flow Intake, Jardine Exhaust, Red Interior Lights, Other Little Stuff...

09-10-2006, 10:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,115	i let jason burtman know about the problem and he said he contacted them. nothing happened, so i decided to take matters into my own hands.

09-11-2006, 12:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
marko3xl3 Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,686	This is a real nice solution Bob, as long as you make sure not to cut too much. I love the way mine fits, it's really tight but since the surround isn't rubber, that's a very good thing. They should make the casing smaller and then add some rubber around it. __________________ :Marko: Supercharged 98 4Runner SR5 4x4 3.4L 4" Deckplate :: TrueFlow Air Intake System :: Magnaflow 18" Muffler w/ Resonator XM Satellite Radio (Roady 2) :: Autometer Boost Gauge :: Color Keyed Spoiler TOYOTA\|moving forward

09-11-2006, 12:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
bigacuralvr Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Evans/Greeley, CO Posts: 294	TrueFlow makes all of the filters In-House in AZ. I'll be touring the factory at the PWA show, and will mention something then. I also have the national sales manager in town this wed/thursday, so we'll see if this issue can't be resolved! Brett __________________ Current: 94 4Runner SR5 3.Slow...for now. SOLD. :( 99 4Runner Limited SuperCharged, Hood Scoop, Westin Bull Bar, PIAA 510's, PIAA GTX Heads and Fogs, ProComp 1069's, True Flow Intake, Jardine Exhaust, Red Interior Lights, Other Little Stuff...

09-14-2006, 02:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
Kroninn Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5	Why Not Just Get Cold Air Flow? Sounds Like A Lot Of Time For Not Much Improvement On Performance. I Got A K&n Cold Air Flow Kit And Installed It About 30 Minutes. I Got Ten More Horses And A Mean Sound.

09-14-2006, 02:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,115	shaving the corners is a lot of work? and thats pretty bold statement there...got a dyno test to prove it, kronin? foam filters have been proven to gain around 6-7 hp. further more, how much did you pay for yours vs a $50 foam filter? bang for the buck-wise, i win. Last edited by Bob_98SR5 : 09-14-2006 at 02:30 PM.

09-14-2006, 02:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
04 Rocko Taco Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 4,092	10 hp from a "cold air" kit? seat of the pants maybe, but going by seat of the pants, I picked up a boatload of HP with my deckplate...without a dyno to prove it, its just crap. Sorry. __________________ -Chris Tread Lightly! 04 Double Cab PreRunner. 3.4 - Auto 84 4Runner 4WD. 22R - 5 spd Lifted, Locked, 33x12.50 Disclaimer:My Photobucket is being revamped. If there are broken links, shoot me a PM. Thanks. ~Chris Great Toyota Tech

09-14-2006, 07:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,115	thunder, hehe don't matter anymore anyways: banned him for spamming the forum bob

09-15-2006, 05:44 AM	#18 (permalink)
TDiddy Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Urbandale, IA Posts: 7,143	I Hate When People Capitalize The First Letter Of Each Word!!!

09-15-2006, 06:01 AM	#19 (permalink)
lee Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: boston, ma Posts: 6,766	thats a filter to stop a caps-locked post!