The Dutch Man

Well,

I ordered a spoiler in from Ebay pre-painted. No troubles with the spoiler or paint. It was just fine. Then I started trying to get a body shop to mount the spoiler over the past week. Two shops refused to assume liability for the spoiler install and thus refused to do the work. Finally a truck accessory shop down the street from work said they would do it. $65 hr to install, with 1-2 hrs. to do the job. I dropped it off this morning and not more than 1 hr. later I got a call. They felt the sheet metal on the outer skin of the truck was to thin to support the spoiler on the highway. they fear it would tear the sheet metal. I was pissed.

I immediately called the local Toyota stealer to see what they had to say about installing the aftermarket spoiler. I got a really nice parts guy who tried looking up the cost. Here's what he found. There are actually two different tailgates for the 03/04 4 runner. The one for the spoiler is reinforced with additional sheet metal to help with the added stress. The ones from the factory without spoilers are not. So, eventhough there are 4 bolts holding the spoiler on, you still run the risk (with the small washers provided) to tear the sheet metal. Larger bolts and washers will not fit due the curviture of the rear hatch.

Lucky for me the shop didn't even drill any holes. They only removed the access covers on the hatch to check things out. Moral of the story, if you are thinking about adding an aftermarket spoiler to a truck that didn't come with one, please reconsider. In the long run the sheet metal could pucker or even tear due to stress.

In the end, the company that sold the spoiler to me is taking it back and all I'm out is shipping and a 15% restock fee.

Dutchman

X-AWDriver

I think all 2nd and 3rd gen Runners probably were the same but with newer vehicles companies are always trying to keep costs down.

I have an EGR plastic air deflector that matches my VentVisors and my Lund bug guard and I think it actually weighs less than the stock counterpart.
The other plus is that it is held on by screws and a bracket that fits under the sides of the tailgate and requires no body drilling so it's removeable.

shazaam

the aftermarket (jaos) spoiler I have on mine is held on by opposing clips. Two clips go over the tail gate, and two go into window lining (you have to pulll it down, and then push it back in) and its held in there fine .. no drilling necessary.

FirstToy

dutchman,
I guess it makes sense because your hatch goes through the extra process of stamping out the 3rd brake light hole. The spoiler'd hatches don't so some reinforcement to the basic hatch makes sense... good info for people.

The only thing I can think of is to get some scrap metal "scab plates" and drill holes in them. They could be the extra support you need to prevent puckering the stock sheetmetal.

Oh well...I hear the 05 or 06 spoiler is a new design so maybe it will be something more compatible with your hatch.

The Dutch Man

Yeah I hear you FirstToy. People here at work suggested using sheet metal to disperse the weight. I'm just really peed-off that I have to eat $50 (shipping & restock) for nothing. Maybe this is a blessing with the 05/06 spoiler design. Maybe it's more user friendly. I'm dying to see a picture of one. I just thought I would warn others who are considering purchasing the aftermarket spoiler. I feel bad for those on the forum that already had spoilers installed. I don't think they will see the effects for some time (3-5 yrs.) By that time, the stress may act up to create the puckering and splitting of the metal. The truck is still too new probably for any of these issues to show up. Buyer Beware! My spoiler is gone back to the seller. Hopefully the 05/06 design is better, I hope!

FirstToy

Have you looked at the Sequoia spoiler? That might work- it's more a "floating" wing design...

The Dutch Man

I think the Sequoia spoiler mounts the same way. I think I'm just going to wait and scope out the 05/06 design.

JGage

That is good to know ! Thanks.

bulldog-yota

You might want to go look for a complete rear hatch with spoiler which is the same color as yours at a scrap yard. Maybe you can cut a deal with them. Just an idea.

The Dutch Man

Bulldog,

One of the guys at work suggested the same thing. But with the rear window and wiring involved I think one from the scrapyard is going to be big $$$$$!

Unfortunately for now my baby is going to go naked. We'll see what the 05 version has to bring. In Yotatech spirit, I just wanted to warn others before they purchase an aftermarket spoiler. Lots of people seem to be purchasing them from ebay lately. I've seen a lot of bids place for the 03/04 spoiler while I was deciding which seller to purchase from. Just watch out folks, the last thing I feel most of us want is to cause long term damage to our trucks because we want to enhance their appearance. I think the 4 Runner with spoilers look a lot better. Potentially puckering or ripping sheet metal just isn't worth the risk for me on a 30K truck, if you know what I mean.