Air dam falling off

[xraytekca]

I'm shocked many on here are keeping the air dams on, regardless of the bolt issues they are having. The majority of people rip these ugly air dams off the moment they bring their 4Rs and Tacos home. The mpg these air dams are supposed to provide are extremely negligible...

I have a feeling it brings air up into the intercooler also…..

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[Vincenzo]

The entire facia is flimsy. Toyota screwed up by using the wrong type of screw. They should have used a bolt with machine a machine thread. I’m not an engineer and I have already rectified the problem two months ago.

 

[JONNYBOSCO]

I should add it took me longer to get the 10mm socket out of my toolbox and to lay down then to take off—5 min tops. But honestly, owned both for months now, and couldn’t be more impressed with 6th gen build quality and I’ve owned Toyotas my entire life—I hold the Tahara, Japan plant to an extremely high standard and so far they delivered on the world-class quality I expect from this plant.

Thank you very much for your detailed reply - Thank you for creating an account "just to reply" I hope you wil find this forum of use too... I understand totally... all good! Enjoy your new vehicle too!

 

[papadop88]

I have a feeling it brings air up into the intercooler also…..

Nope. Does none of that. It was required for mpg purposes just to squeeze every ounce out. It barely does that, reduces ground clearance drastically, and looks ugly. That’s why the majority of people remove them immediately.

If it helped with cooling, then why don’t the Pros and Trailhunters have them.

People in this thread are worried about something completely worthless.

 

[LARIN]

It is more for stability on the Interstate, and some Mpg. The trail hunter and Pro are not designed to drive at interstate highway speeds of 70-90 miles an hour

 

[Centurion]

For what it’s worth, we just took a 1,000 mile roadtrip with both high-speed interstate and winding backroads with no discernible difference in handling characteristics at interstate speeds (handles phenomenally for an off-road focused vehicle).

Also, there’s an interesting interview with the Tacoma’s Chief Engineer Sheldon Brown on the reason for the air damn (looks almost exactly like the 4Runners). He states that he ”wasn’t a fan”, but the article and video interview go into great detail on why the decision was made at the last minute to add this easy-to-remove plastic part to the front. I don’t have a comparison for MPG but we got almost 20 MPG on our TRDORP on this road trip, so if I had to guess (and from everything I’ve read online) it’s a .5-.7 MPG difference. Here’s the lengthy article/interview with Sheldon Brown:

https://www.theautopian.com/the-202...=Brown then got into the,rope off to the side.

 

[papadop88]

It is more for stability on the Interstate, and some Mpg. The trail hunter and Pro are not designed to drive at interstate highway speeds of 70-90 miles an hour

It does nothing for stability. It was only out on for EPA/MPG requirements to squeeze a tiny fraction on controlled testing. They’re worthless and destroy the look of the front end.

 

[LARIN]

I guess this has been debated on many vehicles, so no so called experts on this site can really explain, but it was put there for more reasons than mpg, The people that do like them will take them off regardless

o

 

[bird]

When I removed my air dam, I found one screw that was looser than hand tight. The rest were fine. If folks plan on keeping their air dam on, I would recommend they put some blue Loctite on the screws and tighten everything down. Clearly these are not coming well secured from the factory.

There were also two metal clips on either side, presumably to further secure the air dam. If your vehicle doesn't have these clips, perhaps that is also contributing to the issues.

 

[papadop88]

I guess this has been debated on many vehicles, so no so called experts on this site can really explain, but it was put there for more reasons than mpg, The people that do like them will take them off regardless

o

Yes, in theory and in controlled environments designed to pass regulations, air dams are put there for that exact reason. In realit and in everyday driving, just like true MPG numbers vs what is reported, it does nothing but hurt ground clearance and looks.

 

[bird]

Maybe I am imagining it, but I do feel a difference at highway speeds without the air dam. The 4R with the air dam felt more “planted” for lack of a better description. It seemed to cut through the air a bit better.

I think the air being channeled under the bottom of the vehicle results in less dirty air, which translates to a perceptibly different driving feel at progressively higher speeds.

 

[JONNYBOSCO]

The entire facia is flimsy. Toyota screwed up by using the wrong type of screw. They should have used a bolt with machine a machine thread. I’m not an engineer and I have already rectified the problem two months ago.

I agree - it is flimsy to say the least.

I guess this has been debated on many vehicles, so no so called experts on this site can really explain, but it was put there for more reasons than mpg, The people that do like them will take them off regardless

o

I like it on my Limited. I removed the cross bars on the roof rack and it ”sounds” 100% quieter. I kept thinking a window was open in the back or tailgate. As for the Air Dam - I’d like to keep it on if I can since we do a lot of 60-70MPH just getting around town, 80 on the highway. It’s much more stable then my 2022 was.

Maybe I am imagining it, but I do feel a difference at highway speeds without the air dam. The 4R with the air dam felt more “planted” for lack of a better description. It seemed to cut through the air a bit better.

I think the air being channeled under the bottom of the vehicle results in less dirty air, which translates to a perceptibly different driving feel at progressively higher speeds.

Thank you, I'm sure Toyota would not have added it to their design "just for looks".

 

[thirstyross]

Nope. Does none of that. It was required for mpg purposes just to squeeze every ounce out. It barely does that, reduces ground clearance drastically, and looks ugly. That’s why the majority of people remove them immediately.

If it helped with cooling, then why don’t the Pros and Trailhunters have them.

People in this thread are worried about something completely worthless.

I mean if you don't care about it, that's cool. But to come in here and assert that everyone else should think about the issue the same way you do (that it's ugly or worthless), is a bit much mate.

 

[papadop88]

I mean if you don't care about it, that's cool. But to come in here and assert that everyone else should think about the issue the same way you do (that it's ugly or worthless), is a bit much mate.

Fair point, but IMO its hideous...and most people agree it looks hideous. I have no problem if you'd like to keep yours on...but risking it fly off just so you can think it gets you an additional 0.4 mpg isn't worth it. Pluuus...it's ugly.

 

[Marty60]

I think the big picture is that Mother Toyota is selling a new model that's defective. Whether it's an ugly air dam, or any other part that's falling off. These things aren't cheap.
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