I am hoping that you guys can tell me the best place to buy a hood protector. I am looking for a good price. The Toyota dealership sells the protector for about $100. I would be happy to find something that is at least as good quality as genuine Toyota (or even the actual Toyota part) at a better price.

Any ideas?

 

I got my EGR Carbon Fiber "Like" deflector from these guys last week.
http://store.yahoo.com/hdsrg/hoodprot.html

They must have new stock on the Carbon Fiber "Like" for the 96-99 EGR deflectors. The 96-99 model fits all through 2002.

 

I think there is a different model for the hood scooped 4Runners. When I was asking the parts lady at Toyota she asked if mine has a hood scoop, because I guess the protector is different for thsoe models.

 

Another member on here gave me this link:
Stampede Bug Defelctors
I've been thinking about the chrome one. I don't know how that would look on my Desert Dune 4Runner. I had a black one, but it met its early demise from a rock thrown from an 18-wheeler. Glad it was the shield though. Two inches lower and it would have destroyed one of my headlights.

 

Yes it is a different version for the sport model. My buddy Steve has one and he likes it. He got it here Texas Toyota for $68.75.

Personally I would suggest Conicelli for $64.50.
PT427-89990 1999-02 Sport Model $64.50

 

Someone here mentioned they had a 'magnatized' hood protector.

Is that type better ? Price? Where do you get them?

Jeff

 

I ended up getting it from Texas Toyota. It was $68.75 plus $7.75 shipping. The second link, Conicelli was a few dollars cheaper for the base price, but they wanted $22.95 for shipping. In the long run, Texas Toyota was cheaper, so I bought it from them.

 

I have a magnetic hood protector, it's fine but you just have to wipe/clean underneath it at least once a month but more often is probably better, it's black only comes in one color, it's like a bra but better because on a bra stuff can get underneath it, on a magnetic one the magnet holds the protector close to the hood so nothing can get inbetween the protector and hood to rub up against it. I dunno i'm happy with mine, it gets cleaned once a month and sometimes more often if I have time looks nice, I put a dragon kanji sticker on the front, if you look at my pictures you'll see what it looksl like, it would probably be better if I had a black 4runner, I got mine from ebay for about 40 with shipping to Hawaii.

 

I bought Xpel, which is a thick, clear film that you have to squeegy on almost like window tint.

I've been putting this off b/c of other mods but I should get to it this weekend.

I decided not to buy a bug deflector b/c my old one used to shake the hood at freeway speeds. I tried to raise the bumpstops but that didn't work. Also, it looks better in my opinion without the deflector.

I'll post pics probably this weekend.

Bob

 

I got the Ventshade Bugflector II for my 99. I think it looks great. It isn't a stick on or a magnetic, it uses compression screws in the factory holes on the underside of the hood. I have never gotten any noise out of it at any speed. It costs around 45 bucks and you can get it next day at any Advance auto store, or online at advance-auto.com. I didn't really shop around for it at all so you may be able to find it cheaper if you look around. I will be taking pics of the truck again, maybe tonight, and I will post some of it.

 

As promised, here are some pics I took of my rig this afternoon.

My quick 4Runner pics page.

They are of my air horns, Husky Liners (The cargo piece isn't in yet, they sent me 2 sets of front seat mats), Bugshield, Deckplate mod, Amsoil filter, and foglight mod.

 

$100?!? That's highway robery! I bought mine from the Toyota dealer for about $65. I got the original Toyota deflector. The suggested retail is only $79.95. Those guys are really trying to gouge the excessories. Did you buy the truck from this dealer?

Noel

 

I did get the truck from the dealership. Believe it or not I did get a good deal on the truck. It's a Toyota CarMax dealership that sells new vehicles, so there was no hassle involved in buying the vehicle.

 

You spent $35,000 on a vehicle, the least these guys could do is give you a hookup on the bug deflector. My dealer gives me a break on everything I buy from them, including service. It might not hurt to remind them what a loyal customer you are. If all else fails...beg for a deal.

 

It's not worth the hassle to me. I don't mind buying it somewhere mail order. In my opinion, the entire car sales / service industry is mostly a big scam. I really try not to get involved unless I absolutely have to!