- Joined
- Feb 1, 2025
- Threads
- 45
- Messages
- 655
- Reaction score
- 338
- Location
- Tennessee USA
- Vehicle(s)
- F350
- Thread starter
- #1
The following are my personal observations after buying the @Zekzoop Hood Mat. Against my better judgment, I went with an aftermarket product over OEM. I found it on Amazon with a discount resulting in a final price of $59.99 plus sales tax. I received the product today shipped UPS. It was folded in the middle to get in a reasonable sized box. I apologize up front for not taking pictures.
The box had the folder pad, 15 pushpin rivets, and a single sheet of paper with list of contents, picture and YouTube link (not seen until I finished the install).
I just watched the YouTube video
()
and noticed a few things. It has two people which would have been helpful. He covered the engine bay with a mat, presumably to prevent dropped pins. The pins do not align as easily as shown in the video. They are a real pain to install. I saw a roll of masking tape but no indication if it was used. Also, the last pin in the center-Rear of the hood was very difficult unless you have very long arms.
The mat is not too bad, not sure how durable it will be going forward. I also do not know if it's fire/heat resistant. I doubt Toyota would cover a warranty claim on fire if they saw the mat installed.
The push-pins are very low end and nothing like the function of the Toyota push-pins. I will probably replace but wait a few weeks to see if the current pins hold up. Unlike some push-pins that are just holding something in place, these have the weight of the may and have to deal with the bumps of the road.
If you're installing, get a helper with long arms. I had to climb in the front with 2/3rds of me in the engine bay to get the last push pin. Note - None of them aligned with the holes. All slow but you had to push up and move pad around to get the alignment.
A suggestion for the manufacturer would be different pins and ones that attach to the mat so when you hold the mat up, the push-pin is solid in the mat and you just need to push into the hold and lock.
I may install with a non-push-pin solution. You can get nylon liners or receivers for the holes and then use screws and large black washers. A much stronger fixing.
I hope this helps.....
The box had the folder pad, 15 pushpin rivets, and a single sheet of paper with list of contents, picture and YouTube link (not seen until I finished the install).
I just watched the YouTube video
()
and noticed a few things. It has two people which would have been helpful. He covered the engine bay with a mat, presumably to prevent dropped pins. The pins do not align as easily as shown in the video. They are a real pain to install. I saw a roll of masking tape but no indication if it was used. Also, the last pin in the center-Rear of the hood was very difficult unless you have very long arms.
The mat is not too bad, not sure how durable it will be going forward. I also do not know if it's fire/heat resistant. I doubt Toyota would cover a warranty claim on fire if they saw the mat installed.
The push-pins are very low end and nothing like the function of the Toyota push-pins. I will probably replace but wait a few weeks to see if the current pins hold up. Unlike some push-pins that are just holding something in place, these have the weight of the may and have to deal with the bumps of the road.
If you're installing, get a helper with long arms. I had to climb in the front with 2/3rds of me in the engine bay to get the last push pin. Note - None of them aligned with the holes. All slow but you had to push up and move pad around to get the alignment.
A suggestion for the manufacturer would be different pins and ones that attach to the mat so when you hold the mat up, the push-pin is solid in the mat and you just need to push into the hold and lock.
I may install with a non-push-pin solution. You can get nylon liners or receivers for the holes and then use screws and large black washers. A much stronger fixing.
I hope this helps.....
Sponsored
