Hood protector / bug shield install on a Toyota 4Runner - Vital Point

Tired of pebbles scratching up your hood on the highway? This video shows you how to install a hood protector / bug shield on a Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium. The process should be the same for all makes and models.

[@alarmtech75]

I’ve always liked the looks of those. I have one on my truck too. Glad to see you put the plastic in the trash thoughtfully. The thought that went into that decision is admirable.

[@leafinitup1]

alarmtech75 Yes, it was a painstaking decision. 🤣

[@waynehross]

Thank you; I just bought a 2020 4Runner and followed your video..Thanks.

[@leafinitup1]

Excellent! Congrats on the purchase. I’m super happy with mine.

[@Wild1995]

Thank you so much for this video. I just bought one with no instructions for my 2022 4runner. Your video is short and concise how to do it.

[@leafinitup1]

Glad it helped you out. Enjoy the 4runner!

[@rostamr4096]

Thank you, I am picking up my 2020 4runner in the next few days and it already has the hood protector. I was going to take it off, but know I think, I am going to keep it..thanks for the video..done very thoughtfully...

[@leafinitup1]

J Rashkan Congratulations! You’re going to love it.

[@rostamr4096]

@@leafinitup1 Thanks :)

[@defkid310bqad7]

Thanks for posting! Just installed mine a few mins ago on my 4Runner

[@leafinitup1]

Defkid310 Bqad Awesome!

[@CP-kb1du]

Great Video to the point sets off the front end of the vehicle ,,, picked up one for the TRD PRO Voo Doo Blue ...4RUNNER .

[@leafinitup1]

1st Name Basis Sweet Ride!!!

[@streamscarr501]

Thx for the vid helped a lot putting mine on tomorrow 🤗

[@leafinitup1]

Stream Scarr Excellent. It made a big difference in hood protection from paint chips.

[@jberte6679]

I have same color. Rock chips def are an issue. Thx for the video

[@leafinitup1]

Good choice John. Love that Barcelona Red. Thanks for the comment.

[@vajiraweerasekara8462]

Thanks man! No instructions came with the package 😂

[@whateverwhenever_9987]

U should get some touch up paint for the hood chips

[@acts2097]

Think that also adds at least 10 more horsepower. Good video just had my windshield chipped on the interstate.

[@leafinitup1]

Andre H Only 10?! I should have posted this a month ago for you to save your windshield.

[@CarnutMM]

Should have recycled rather than the garbage...lol. Good video thanks I like it better with because of the protection. Looks better than bug smears or chips on paint.

[@leafinitup1]

Agreed. I'm pretty sure that it's only hard plastics allowed in the recycling here, otherwise I would have. ;) Thanks.

[@newyorkhunter4693]

Hope you know what you started...now you need to get the guards for the door (rain guards), LED running lights, so on and so on. $$$$$

[@leafinitup1]

NEW YORK HUNTER ... don’t forget the 3” lift kit. Come ooooon Lotto!

[@p.k.808]

Vital Point And the better tires too

[@veronicaserrato9827]

Hi I just seen your video and I love the I love it do you remember where you bought it from ? I want to install one for my Toyota Tundra SR5 2019

[@leafinitup1]

I bought it directly from Toyota. Probably cost a little more, but it’s peace of mind to know that the holes will line up without issue. Tundra is an awesome truck. Congrats.

[@veronicaserrato9827]

Vital Point do you remember hiw much?

[@leafinitup1]

Veronica Serrato Sorry, I don’t

[@Hassounevo]

FYI: The washers go on the bottom screw that fastens the bracket to the square white plastic tab, NOT the top wind deflector screw.

[@samuelagaga4365]

Where did you purchase it? Thanks for the video.

[@leafinitup1]

It’s the factory model straight from the Toyota dealer.

[@alexanderestk]

The manual says to use the washers for the hood screws not the deflector screws. Were you able to tighten down the hood screws completely or do they still freely turn? No matter how much I tighten it still spins (with tension)

[@leafinitup1]

Alexander Estk Everything tightened down securely. It was a while ago that I installed this, but I don’t think there were any washers for the hood screws. The nylon makes sense (to me) against the deflector so that it doesn’t crack the plastic. I’ve been very happy with it. Hope you are too.

[@alexanderestk]

Vital Point I am happy with it but non of the hood screws tightened securely. It’s tight but I can still turn the screws.

[@leafinitup1]

Alexander Estk It should tighten down. You don’t want the screws to wiggle loose while driving. If your deflector was from Toyota, I’d take it back to them. Otherwise, maybe use a little lock tight glue to keep the screws in there.

[@alexanderestk]

Vital Point hmm interesting. I wonder if it’s because of the washers?

[@alexanderestk]

Vital Point I tried switching the washers and it didn’t help. Hopefully they don’t come out over time. I’m going to try some Teflon tape on the screws

[@seansoutdoors]

I don't know. I guess the question kinda bugs me.

[@leafinitup1]

Put some permethrin in your undies, and you’ll be fine. 🤪

[@RCGJR_]

Who should I contact to fix those rock chips unfortunately i got some on my 2019 4runner, auto body paint shop or someone else?

[@leafinitup1]

Anonymous Suomynona good question. I’m not sure they are worth the trouble of fixing. Maybe just pick up some touch up paint from the dealer and dab it on with a toothpick.

[@BOBBYdigital31]

Auto body shop. They will mix the exact color and use a squeegee tool to fill the chips perfectly

[@toulany30]

Hi. Is this hood protector smoke color? Can you confirm? Hard to tell in the video? Thanks

[@leafinitup1]

It looks black from any distance, but when you get up real close, it has more of a charcoal color since the color is imbedded in a semitransparent plastic

[@jimmulderig743]

👍

[@user-cg7cc7zj3e]

Debating one. My 4runner came with a lot of stone chips. I just can't get past the look of them.

[@leafinitup1]

If you have any other black trim or accents it will blend right in. It saved my hood from any further damage

[@00SingleSeven]

Is the material hard plastic or flexible type

[@leafinitup1]

Kenneth R. Kim Hard plastic. It flexes a little bit.

[@00SingleSeven]

@@leafinitup1 i just picked one up from the dealer but it flexes. Tip ends bend If I hold thr center of it.

[@leafinitup1]

Kenneth R. Kim So what’s the problem with that? Once installed, it won’t matter.

[@isaacgenao6410]

Which hood protector did you go with?

[@leafinitup1]

Isaac Genao The Toyota brand. It was a little more expensive, but I didn’t want to take the chance that the mounting holes wouldn’t line up or something with an alternative brand.

[@isaacgenao6410]

Thank you.

[@yasfa74]

Vital Point are you able to see the brackets and the screws sticking out from the other side of the hood protector? I just got the same toyota brand for a tacoma using the same types of brackets and it is disgusting to see all brackets and screws sticking out.

[@leafinitup1]

yasfa74 I’ve never noticed the hardware before. You have to get up really close and look under to be able to see it. I think the advantages outweigh that, and overall it still looks cool.

[@alexsimon915]

oh and this is for sure adding at least 1mpg with all the extra "air dynamics" right ? ")

[@leafinitup1]

Alex Simon Who knows? lol At least it is serving the intended use of deflecting little pebbles. Thanks for watching.

[@seansoutdoors]

That thing definitely gets screwed up into place

[@leafinitup1]

🤣

[@randomrazr]

PPF or hood protector

[@leafinitup1]

randomrazr Not sure what PPF stands for, but call it whatever you like. It takes the brunt of loose debris that would have otherwise hit the hood.

[@randomrazr]

@@leafinitup1 paint protection film

[@gfig22]

I'd go hood protector especially if don't mounting a plastic piece of equipment to your hood and somewhat changing its looks. It's going last so much more than ppf.

[@jeffrey9102]

Those ALWAYS scratch the fuck out of the paint!

[@leafinitup1]

Where?... at the attachment points? So far have not had any issue, and I think they saved the hood paint from getting more chips. Who knows what it looks like under the strips of vinyl, but out of sight out of mind.