OK...I just did the deckplate mod about 2 weeks ago. I know I need to cover it when washing the rig...but what about if its raining heavily. I am taking a road trip this weekend and there is a chance of a thunderstorm on the way...should I be concerned about water getting in the air box or just leave the deckplate open?

I searched, but this hasn't really been covered.

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I took a 900 mile trip with heavy rain and snow the whole way with the deckplate cover off----no problems at all.

Dave

 

It should be alright. Just don't try splashing into the puddles or play in any mud while it's off. I am currently running a filter open under the hood so it's worse than your situation.

 

The puddles are what I'm worried about...flooded parts of the highway. I may just cover it for the trip, or pull off to a gas station if it really starts to come down.

Any other times I should think about covering the deckplate? Other than off-roading.

Fink

 

Cover it if you take your 4Runner SWIMMING...otherwise it will be fine.

 

LoL...alright waskilly, I'll do that!

For some reason...he doesn't like the floaties I got him...they're black, they look pretty good on the side mirrors, I don't get it.

Fink

 

I wouldn't worry about it too much...I run an open filter here in the NW where it rains a lot and through hard rain and puddles I don't have any probs. On a side note did you get around to sending some more pics my way?
Thanks

 

I've had a 4" deckplate installed for over 2 1/2 years (about 70,000 miles) and have driven thru some pretty heavy rains at highway speeds and thru puddles. Not once did I have to close it and did not take on any water.

 

I don't know about you guys but I prefer the elbow mod. Basically, you will get the same performance with either the deckplate or the elbow. What I don't like about the deckplate is you have a big 4 to 6 inch hole in front of the air filter box and this big hole can introduce lot of dust, dirt, insects, which means the air filter will get dirty quicker. With the elbow mod, it's a 2 inch hole feeding cold air on the side fender and the life of my air filter is super long.

 

Yeah...and how do you close up the elbow mod when you decide to go wheeling through a big puddle?

 

I live in the city and I never go wheeling because I would not want my rig to get dirty with muds all over and underneath the body. The elbow mod for me is permanent. I would never need to close it.

 

I installed a piece of window screening on the back flange of the deckplate using a 4" hose clamp. It keeps the big stuff out and needs to be brushed or blown clean on rare occassions. Dust, dirt? Sure you'll get that with any opening. But the screen keeps bugs/leaves/whatever out that won't pass thru window screening.

 

The elbow mod when done right allows you to re-install the elbow anytime you want to just by snapping it in place. I tried to tell folks how I did this before on here but no seemed interested.
Remove the box and the elbow. The elbow entends in the box by about 4" or so and is held in place with one rivet and a couple of nubs or tits. Just shave off the nubs with a knife and remove the rivet with a dremel. Now cut a piece of screen and place it on the inside of the box over the elbow hole and hold it down with some silicone. Place a piece of screen or 1/4' hardware cloth in the hole where the elbow went through the finder well. All this screening help keep bugs and critters out when your parked.
Now cut the elbow down so that it just fits that ridge on the inside of the box. Replace the box and now and with a little trimming and fitting you will be able to snap the elbow back in or out anytime you want to. Don't get in a hurry and you will see just how to line up the two ends so that they go back together with ease. Just takes a little practice. It takes me about 10 seconds to do it now. Another thing thats nice about this mod is that with the elbow snapped back in you can't tell anything has ever been done to it. Mike

 

By the way..... Took my grandsons out in the boon-docks two years ago and we ran through some deep mud holes at high speed and had a ball. We did this for about 30 minutes.Then the truck stalled and would not start. Checked everything and then decided to check the filter...It was soaked as a wet noodle! That was long before any mods were done. The water was hitting under the finders so hard that the it was coming in through the elbow.
Makes me wonder if we wouldn't be better off with out the elbow hooked except on dusty days.

 

I just got back from my trip and had some pretty heavy rains and puddles and never had a problem...air filter is completely dry. Thanks for the help guys!

I think the deckplate is better than the elbow mod, its just plain easier. Goin offroading, reach in the glove box, grab the cover and screw it on and you're all set to go. Sounds like theres more work in getting the elbow back in, well...prep work anyway. I'm not saying ones better than the other in general, but for me...the deckplate was the way to go.

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