en.Wedoany.com Reported - Toyota Upgrade Factory has introduced an aluminum undercover panel called the "Shibetsu Fin Undercover" for the previous-generation Hilux, designed to improve vehicle stability in crosswinds and enhance underbody protection.
The component was developed at Toyota's Shibetsu Proving Ground in Hokkaido. Engineers conducted tests on the truck's underbody airflow and found that the high ground clearance easily causes minor vibrations, leading to uneven air pressure on both sides of the vehicle. According to Toyota, the aerodynamic fins on the undercover "smooth the turbulent airflow around the vehicle, reducing the pressure difference between the left and right rear sections, thereby improving driving stability during cornering, straight-line driving, and when subjected to external disturbances such as crosswinds."
Toyota claims that the undercover reduces vibrations below 1Hz to one-tenth of the original level. The panel is made of 3mm (0.12-inch) thick solid aluminum plate, with 5mm (0.2-inch) high fins formed through a multi-stage stamping process. This manufacturing process was not easy, and several industrial companies initially declined the engineering challenge. To achieve mass production, Toyota collaborated with specialized metalworking craftsmen in the Tsubame-Sanjo region of Niigata Prefecture, combining precision stamping with manual adjustments using a sheet metal brake. The accessory does not affect the medium-duty truck's approach angle and still allows for easy oil changes.
The Shibetsu Fin Undercover is compatible with Hilux models produced from August 2017 to August 2022, and from July 2023 to October 2024. It is priced at 75,900 yen (approximately $470), including tax and authorized dealer installation fees.
Additionally, a similar underbody accessory is available for the Land Cruiser 250 series, applicable to models produced after March 2024, with an installation-included price of 31,680 yen (approximately $200).
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