Can anyone recomend a good hood protector that doesn't require drilling and tape. Someone mention that there is one that uses existing mounting screws and clips.
Toyota's factory Hood Protector(around $180) uses existing pre-drilled pilot holes underneath the hood to mount the shield. If you open your hood you'll see one on each side toward the front. A part of the shield(the lip) will slip underneath the hood to allow you to screw it in place. All you have to do is tap the screws in place first to open the seal in these sockets. It shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes from start to finish.
On my 2002 Sequoia there are NO pre-existing pilot holes under my hood. There are indentations- however, they do not match up (not even close) to where the pilot hole needs to be according to the supplied drilling template.
Looks like I'll have to drill to 1/8 inch pilot holes and then bore them out to 3/8 inch for install.
The pilot holes are underneath the hood and were put in place by Toyota for this specific purpose. The hole is patially capped off with a filling which makes it less obvious, but can be easily penetrated by tapping a screw in place. No drilling required, unless of course you decide to use an electric drill to penetrate the seal. It's a very easy installation. If you still can't find it I would suggest that you visit your local Toyota Parts dept and ask the sales person to point them out to you(that's how I found out). If I had a digital camera I'd post the pics myself.
Well, I guess my 2002 Sequoia doesn't have the holes you mentioned.
There is a hole indentation on each side of the underhood. However, even if I were able to punch it thru- it would not be large enough to accommodate the "well nut" .
Further- when I place the drill location template on the proper under hood location the place to drill the pilot hole is nowhere close to the aforementioned hole indentation. If I somehow were able to tap into these hole and install the bracket the holes would no way come close to the holes in the hood protector.
FWIW- the Toyota part number for hood protector is
#PT427-0C010 for a 2002 Sequoia.
No sweat, I'll drill the 2 holes using a drill stop to prevent overpenetration. Maybe your Sequoia was specially prepared for the hood shield?
I purchased the Toyota OEM hood deflector which requires you to drill 1/8" pilot holes and then finish with a 3/8" drill bit. I drilled the 1/8" holes with no problem using the template. When I went to drill the 3/8" holes I must have used a dull drill bit and it tore the metal in a few places as it went through. The hole ended up looking like a square and was bigger than 3/8" in diameter.
Because the well nuts need a tight fit to function properly my chances of installing the hood deflector were shot. I went to Napa Auto Parts and purchased auto body sealant and some black plastic caps that would cover the holes I drilled. Everything is fine now and you can't see anything from under the hood.
Moral of the story = USE SHARP DRILL BIT & GO THROUGH METAL SLOWLY!!!
I bought an aftermarket deflector from my dealer. It was cheaper than the OEM - less than $100 - and looks MUCH better. It runs across the front of the hood and down each side of the grill. Best of all - no drilling.
It's by "Form Fit" and to install it, you take off the grill - very easily done - run double-sided tape (included) around the sides and top of hood opening, center the deflector, insert the grill's bolts back into their holes and tighten the screws. The deflector will NOT come off, unless it gets broken. There are "E" shaped anchors that are tapped onto the hood at the ends of the deflector to help stabilize it and there are 5 rubber bubbles (also included) to position under the deflector that stick on the hood to keep the deflector off the hood at 80 MPH.
All in all, an hour's worth of work for me with no help and I HIGHLY recommend this particular solution.
I bought an aftermarket one too, Installed it yesterday. It mounts between teh grill and has the clips and the 5 buttons. I am just wondering if it would be effective because it hugs the hood. Also, teh E clip didn't want to go on completely because of a weld on the underside of the hood.
I am just wondering if it would be effective because it hugs the hood.
Not sure what you mean. If you're referring to whether the 5 bubbles are worth putting on, IMO, they are. ESPECIALLY if the protector's riding as close to your hood as you suggest. Wind at speed will push the protector onto the hood eventually scratching and/or dulling the hood's paint.
The Toyota hood protector really fits very well and looks great. To each his/her own as far as taste- but I compared the Toyota part against others in the parking lot at work and there's no comparison.
The secure mounting should preclude any likelyhood of the deflector rubbing the hood at high speeds.
Originally posted by General Sherman I bought an aftermarket deflector from my dealer. It was cheaper than the OEM - less than $100 - and looks MUCH better. It runs across the front of the hood and down each side of the grill. Best of all - no drilling.
It's by "Form Fit" and to install it, you take off the grill - very easily done - run double-sided tape (included) around the sides and top of hood opening, center the deflector, insert the grill's bolts back into their holes and tighten the screws. The deflector will NOT come off, unless it gets broken. There are "E" shaped anchors that are tapped onto the hood at the ends of the deflector to help stabilize it and there are 5 rubber bubbles (also included) to position under the deflector that stick on the hood to keep the deflector off the hood at 80 MPH.
All in all, an hour's worth of work for me with no help and I HIGHLY recommend this particular solution.
Unfortunately, I've thrown the box away that might've had contact info for the company. However, as I said, I bought it from a local dealership. You could call them and potentially get information.
The dealer is Fred Haas Toyota World in Spring, TX. Their toll-free number is 800-231-2064. Parts dept hours are 7 AM - midnight M-F and 7:30 AM - 5 PM Saturday. For what it's worth, the part number on the invoice I received from them is HDW20P01S and the price was $99.
Depending on shipping costs, I suppose you could buy it from them and have them send it to you. Just a thought.
Hood protector
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