5th Gen 4Runner Black Hood Scoop Mod Install

Blacked-Out Hood Scoop Step-By-Step DIY Install For the 5th Gen 4Runner

In the effort to transform my 2014 4Runner Trail into a top of the line TRD Pro, I am always excited to install new parts. Today we will take care of swapping the (non-functional) hood scoop present in all Trails, TRD Off-Road, and TRD Pro models.

With the 2019 model, Toyota introduced a few updates to the TRD Pro trim, one of which is a blacked-out hood scoop instead of color matching the paint of the truck.

Owning a super white 4Runner I really like the contrast with black details. Indeed one of my previous installs was the front and black valances, followed by matte black TRD wheels.

There are two ways to change the look of the hood scoop:

• Paint / Plasti-Dip / Wrap
• Buy a Replacement

The DIY option is, of course, cheaper but it will require more time and some skills in order to do a decent job. But, unless using plasti-dip or wrapping, this will be a permanent modification that you should consider. For example, if you are planning to sell your 4Runner anytime soon.

On the other hand, buying a more expensive replacement part (but still very affordable) will make the install very quick and easy, give it an OEM look, plus you’ll have a spare hood scoop in case you change your mind later.

Parts list and Installation Overview

Tools Needed

• 10mm Socket Wrench
• Needle Nose Pliers (or similar)

Items for this project

• Black Hood Scoop Insert (1 x 7618135080): Check Price
• Seal / Hood Protector (1 x 7618535030): Check Price
• Seal / Hood Protector (2 x 7618335030) : Check Price
• Seal / Hood Protector (2 x 7618335040): Check Price
• Small Grid on the Front (1 x 7618235080) (Optional): This is optional since it’s the same one of the hood scoop already installed: Check Price
• Flange Nut Assembly (4 x 9008017189) (Optional): This is also optional but I bought them anyway since I wanted to get new ones: Check Price

Step 1. Open Hood + Remove Insulation Pad

Start with popping the hood and removing the insulation pad, if you have one.

My 2014 4Runner doesn’t have it but in the case you do, you have to pull out the 10 plastic rivets that hold it, starting with the rear and work your way up to the front.

Tip: Do not try and pull the rivets out because most likely you will break them. There is enough play that you can actually wiggle the needle-nose pliers under the head of the rivets to grip their necks, allowing you to compress them so they come right out.

The necks only compress one way, so you’ll have to turn them a bit until they feel them disengage.

Step 2. Remove (x4) 10mm Bolts

Once the pad is out, go ahead and remove the four 10mm bolts (circled in green).

Step 3. Pull Out (x3) Plastic Rivets Using Pliers

Next, take and look and find the three plastic rivets with ears, one orange in the center, and two blue on the sides.

Grab the orange one with your pliers and turn it counter-clockwise. It will turn just enough to clear the ears from the hole.

Then, insert your pliers through the hole far enough to (gently) grip/compress the ears on the blue ones.

Apply a small amount of upwards pressure, and you will feel them release. Be careful, the blue ones are a bit flimsy.

Step 4. Pull Out “Faux Grille Insert”

The insert is hinged on the back.

After you complete the above, simply lift from the front and pull it out. Once it is out, you can remove the thin ‘faux grille insert’ piece, by compressing the 4 tabs on the backside of it since that will be reused in the new hood scoop.

This is also a good moment to clean the hood scoop housing!

Step 5. Match New Padding To New Hood Scoop

At this point, take a close look at the back of the hood scoop.

In particular, take a look at the rubber padding attached all the way around the edge. What you need to do next is to match each piece of the new padding and attach it to the new hood scoop. You have 5 pieces in total: 2 at the top, 2 on the sides and a long one at the bottom.

It’s pretty easy to match them since they all have different sizes.

When you are ready to attach them, just follow the guidelines printed in the plastic (green arrows) which will help you with the positioning.

Step 6. Move Small Hood Grill To New Hood Scoop

After you’re done matching the new padding to your new hood scoop, you should have something similar to the photo above.

Next, you have to move the small hood grille from the hood scoop to the new one. It’s pretty straightforward, just unclip it from its base and clip it in the new one.

Step 7. Reinstall (New) Hood Scoop

Now you are finally ready to install the new hood scoop. Just invert the steps you followed so far and you are all set. Position it in the hood, snap the clips in and bolt the 10mm screws.

At the end you should get something like this:

Final Thoughts

This is by no means a huge upgrade, but more like a very quick and cheap modification to add some extra accent to your truck.

I really like how it looks now and how it matches the rest of the black accents.