Installing a Hilux Weathershield: A Purposeful Upgrade

There’s nothing like getting into your Toyota truck on a warm day and heading off to the coast or a lake just to take a breather. You don’t even have to turn on the aircon: just roll the windows down and let the breeze pass gently through the cab.

The only problem though is that the breeze that’s passing through the cab may not be as gentle as you or passengers would like it. The reality is, if you haven’t already installed wind deflectors on your truck, there’s a good chance that your gentle breeze sounds and feels more like a tornado in a bottle than anything that resembles a refreshing draft.

Do wind deflectors really protect you from being pummeled silly by the wind when you’re driving with the windows opened? Yes, they do. And not only do they prevent the wind from causing havoc inside the truck when the windows are open, they can even help maintain your truck’s fuel efficiency too. It’s an unexpected benefit that’s worthy of a breath of fresh air all by itself.

Weathershields for your Hilux

Believe it or not, weathershields and wind deflectors are nothing new for Toyota trucks. They’ve been a common Toyota accessory all the way back to the days of old school chrome visors. As their classic truck lines have grown bigger and more aerodynamic though, wind deflection have had to take on a new dimension of functionality. That’s why precision-fitting Hilux weathershield and window visor sets are just as integral now for reducing the drag around your truck as they are for minimizing the wind and noise inside it.

Modern weathershields and deflector sets typically include:

·   Custom designed, single piece window visors for all windows;

·   A premium quality bonnet protector; and,

·   All necessary mounting hardware and fasteners.

These durable, scratch resistant deflectors are made from 2.5mm UV resistant acrylic, and with the exception of sets that include separate air snorkels, require absolutely no drilling to install. These are adhesive-backed components that go on securely, are carwash safe, and don’t leave any visible signs of exterior tape.

Low and medium profile designs also give these deflectors a sleek, OE-styled look that helps maintain your truck’s good looks. Today’s Toyota Hilux weathershields are about much more than just style and appearance, though. They have a job to do – both inside and outside your truck – and you’ll be amazed by just how well they do them.

Wind deflector benefits on the inside

There are some minimal expectations that everyone has with wind deflectors, and with these new weathershielding sets you can feel completely at ease about rolling your windows down and:

·   Letting fresh air circulate through the cab when you’re driving on sunny days;

·   Not letting the rain in if you’re driving on rain days;

·   Not allowing dirt and debris to enter the cabin on either sunny or rainy days;

·   Not fretting over condensation build-up whenever temperatures change; and,

·   Safely leaving your windows cracked whenever you’re not driving.

Wind deflectors also serve another purpose for the times you only want to roll one window down: noise reduction. With a drag coefficient that’s superior to almost every other mid-sized truck sold anywhere, air doesn’t just casually roll through an open Hilux window when the truck’s in motion.

The airflow around a Hilux is so efficient that it’s essentially being forced into the cab from the outside – not drawn in from the inside – and the noisy resonance, or buffeting, that’s produced when it enters can be deafening. Opening a second window will eliminate the air buffeting, but the cross-ventilation and added road noise may still be much more than what you bargained for.

Installing wind deflectors, however, give you the perfect balance:

·   No harsh buffeting. By helping to retain the Hilux’s aerodynamic shape, there’s no invasive air buffeting.

·   No severe cross ventilation. Air is prevented from simply gusting through your vehicle.

·   No extra road noise. Exterior sound is reduced both when your windows are opened and closed.

With a Toyota Hilux weathershield set, you don’t have to weigh the option of opening a window against battling the deafening roar of the wind. And because wind deflectors help to preserve the Hilux’s aerodynamic efficiency, you also don’t have to sacrifice your truck’s performance.

Aiding performance from the outside

It’s not unusual to hear how advantageous wind deflectors are supposed to be for aerodynamics. But what exactly does that mean? Don’t get confused, though: installing weathershields won’t make your Hilux any more aerodynamic than it already is. What they will do, however, is allow you to open the windows without destroying the very respectable aerodynamic efficiency that it already has.

By installing wind deflectors to prevent air buffeting from taking place inside the vehicle, they also prevent the Hilux’s superior airflow characteristics from being disturbed. How air flows over and adheres to moving surfaces is dictated by the Coandă Effect – it’s essential to minimizing drag, and when that flow of air is interrupted by flowing through an open window, it creates drag.

Wind deflectors ensure the airflow isn’t disrupted by opening a window, with the advantage that it:

·   Minimizes mechanical strain on the vehicle by helping to retain its aerodynamic shape;

·   Reduces intrusive wind drag that can result in high fuel consumption; and,

·   Prevents the disruptive build up of dirt and grime on windows that can create turbulence.

Ultimately, there are a lot of factors that contribute to how aerodynamic a vehicle is; and if you enjoy opening your windows, adding weathershields will contribute to saving the wind-cheating aspects that Toyota engineers worked hard to develop. And the best part is, they also install in a snap.    

Quick weathershield installation

Installing weathershields on your Hilux is as straightforward as it is effective. And the process is the same for both the window visors and bonnet protectors.

·   Use a damp rag to thoroughly clean the locations where the visors will be mounted;

·   Check the visors to make sure that they’ll fit the location as intended;

·   Use a hair dryer or heat gun or a hair dryer to make the adhesive backing tacky;

·   Remove the adhesive’s backing paper; and,

·   Position the visor where it’s to be attached and press it into position.

Weathershield kits that include air snorkels will require precise measuring and drilling, but you can still expect to have your Hilux fully outfitted in under an hour. That’s all in an install that’ll last you for years.

The final word

At the end of the day, adding wind deflectors is one of the simplest upgrades you can make to any vehicle. They also happen to be one of the only external mods you can make that’ll make a difference to everyone sitting inside the vehicle.

Adding custom Hilux shield and window visors to your Toyota truck can change your entire outlook on summer driving. Now’s the time of year to think about letting those refreshing breezes in, and weathershields will help you enjoy them to the fullest.