What's with the Yaris hoods?

[BennyLava]

Anybody else notice how all the Yaris hoods are too short? Toyota needed a whole extra half inch (or centimeter) to make the hood reach the bumper cover. When you look at it, it actually looks pretty bad. I've even thought of taking mine to a good body shop and having the gap fixed. They just weld on a another piece of metal and then do all the body work and paint it.

My uncle did that with his old chevy truck that had the same problem, just in a different area. Turned out great. So what is the deal? Toyota screwed up pretty big with that one.

[D&D]

I've noticed this too, and thought maybe my bumper wasn't aligned correctly. But as far as I can tell it is, so I got some weather stripping similar to what Garm sells and it make it look much more "finished".

[fnkngrv]

yes...the gap is for the most part unacceptable and frustrating, but do you really want to go to the expense of having the issue resolved? Or do you have a hook up for that type of stuff?

[D&D]

Just get this and call it a day. It will look 100x better.

http://shop.microimageonline.com/Hood-Seal-Yaris-hs-ys-1.htm

I tried to go the cheap route and got something similar off of eBay that's actually made for Corvettes, and it's about 6" too short on each side. So it looks a little better, but also kind of retardo.. lol

[fnkngrv]

^ yeah, I had one, but was never able to put it on. My ex-wife threw it away thinking that it was garbage from a car that was taken apart.

[yougojay]

Anybody else notice how all the Yaris hoods are too short? Toyota needed a whole extra half inch (or centimeter) to make the hood reach the bumper cover. When you look at it, it actually looks pretty bad. I've even thought of taking mine to a good body shop and having the gap fixed. They just weld on a another piece of metal and then do all the body work and paint it.

My uncle did that with his old chevy truck that had the same problem, just in a different area. Turned out great. So what is the deal? Toyota screwed up pretty big with that one.

2013 Yaris L - 1/4'' gap between the hood & bumper cover neatly fitted with a factory weatherstrip to keep the engine compartment clean.
What year Yaris are you talking about here?
Welding on metal to make the hood longer? Sounds like a disaster to me. Can you loosen the hood nuts and adjust the hood closer to the bumper cover? :iono:

[D&D]

2013 Yaris L - 1/4'' gap between the hood & bumper cover neatly fitted with a factory weatherstrip to keep the engine compartment clean.
What year Yaris are you talking about here?
Welding on metal to make the hood longer? Sounds like a disaster to me. Can you loosen the hood nuts and adjust the hood closer to the bumper cover? :iono:

I assumed OP was talking about an '07-'11, but I don't know actually.

I thought about adjusting the hood myself, but then it would put the hood out of line with the upper front fenders..

And that weatherstrip on your 2013 looks great. Is that standard on all the new Yarii?

[fnkngrv]

Another thing to realize is that with the plastic fasteners that are used they wear as well as the throughput holes causing sagging to occur.

[D&D]

^^ Good point.

[yougojay]

I assumed OP was talking about an '07-'11, but I don't know actually.

I thought about adjusting the hood myself, but then it would put the hood out of line with the upper front fenders..

And that weatherstrip on your 2013 looks great. Is that standard on all the new Yarii?
I was assuming it was an older generation Yaris myself...I looked at my hood underneath where it bolts to the hinges & there does not look like there is any play at all to move the hood forward or back.
I'll have to take a look at an older Yar if I see one parked...I usually see them and they are driving by...

[yougojay]

And that weatherstrip on your 2013 looks great. Is that standard on all the new Yarii?
I imagine it is standard on all the new 3rd generation Yarii - it is another nice added bonus on this car. :clap:

[malibuguy]

Mine wasnt bad until it got backed into...now its eh...

[racerb]

This is the only fitment issue on the Yaris, compare that to most American cars!! My Wife's company truck, 2013 Ford F-150 has fitment issues all over the place, passenger side doors are so far out of line, they never look like their closed all the way. And nearly ever Chevy, Ford, and Dodge I see around town looks like some school kid lined up the body panels at the Factory, guess that's what $40-60 an hour gets you these days.

racerb :rolleyes:

[malibuguy]

^ speaks truths

[nookandcrannycar]

My Wife's company truck, 2013 Ford F-150 has fitment issues all over the place, passenger side doors are so far out of line, they never look like their closed all the way. And nearly ever Chevy, Ford, and Dodge I see around town looks like some school kid lined up the body panels at the Factory, guess that's what $40-60 an hour gets you these days.

:rolleyes: nice :rolleyes:

[BennyLava]

2013 Yaris L - 1/4'' gap between the hood & bumper cover neatly fitted with a factory weatherstrip to keep the engine compartment clean.
What year Yaris are you talking about here?
Welding on metal to make the hood longer? Sounds like a disaster to me. Can you loosen the hood nuts and adjust the hood closer to the bumper cover? :iono:

Welding on extra metal to fix factory defects is very commonplace in the autobody and automotive restoration world. You should see all the difference it can make. As for the 1/4 inch gap in your car, that's still way too wide. It should be half that. Seems they started putting that weatherstrip in there simply to try and address the issue. As and example, take a look at the gap between the doors in a 2010 dodge Challenger. That's what your gaps are supposed to look like these days. Very small. In modern cars the gaps are all getting smaller and smaller, because wider gaps have a big affect on aerodynamics, and thus gas mileage. So they're tightening up all the gaps as best as they can.

My car is a 2009, and is nearly black. So that weather strip will do the job for me. Until I finally sell the car. I hope that by the time I buy another yaris, Toyota will have fixed the issue.

I was assuming it was an older generation Yaris myself...I looked at my hood underneath where it bolts to the hinges & there does not look like there is any play at all to move the hood forward or back.
I'll have to take a look at an older Yar if I see one parked...I usually see them and they are driving by...

This is the first thing I did. Won't work. Hood is plain too short.

[racerb]

I call this a character line, it sets the Yaris apart from other cars, and it helps with under hood air passage! Seems like an Engineer was trying for additional cooling to me.

racerb :rolleyes:

[D&D]

I call this a character line, it sets the Yaris apart from other cars, and it helps with under hood air passage! Seems like an Engineer was trying for additional cooling to me.

racerb :rolleyes:


Well if I met him or her, I'd let them know that their additional cooling inlet is letting dirt and rainwater into my engine bay mucking it all up! :thumbdown:

[Flipper_1938]

I hate having that parting line there. It looks like shit. I wish the hood ran down to the top of the grill opening.

I'm pretty sure they did it for the pedestrian impact standards.

I think this is the reason for the blunt nose and high hood that everything seems to have now.

[Gogogordy]

That gap is of NO consequence whatsoever.

Toyota didn't "overlook" it....thats not their M.O., there's probably a very good engineering or manufacturing rationale behind it. I doubt it's an "issue" or a deficiency...it's the way the car is and *somewhere* somebody knows why. Exactly why. That's engineering.

Perfection is unattainable no matter how much you spend on a car and "value" is where it's at.

In the big scheme, it's one of the finest, yet lowest priced cars around and that (seemingly) large gap between the hood and front fascia doesn't change that one iota.

[fnkngrv]

^ From my experience I obtained higher speed with that gap taped and did not experience any temp increase issues. I haven't actually tested over say a full tank driving on the highway, but if I can attain better speeds with it taped then suffice to say that would also increase FE. They may have had their engineering reasons, but there are plenty of aftermarket components out there than increase safety, performance, reliability, or economy that would not have been that much of a price increase issue if done from the factory. Case in point would be the rear sway bar. This inclusion would have made the car much more stable especially in cornering (not even aggressive in nature) and high wind scenarios at highway/freeway speeds safer. This is especially critical when you look at how damned high they have the suspension set stock. Why did they not install one from the factory? Makes no sense.

[Gogogordy]

^ From my experience I obtained higher speed with that gap taped and did not experience any temp increase issues. I haven't actually tested over say a full tank driving on the highway, but if I can attain better speeds with it taped then suffice to say that would also increase FE. They may have had their engineering reasons, but there are plenty of aftermarket components out there than increase safety, performance, reliability, or economy that would not have been that much of a price increase issue if done from the factory. Case in point would be the rear sway bar. This inclusion would have made the car much more stable especially in cornering (not even aggressive in nature) and high wind scenarios at highway/freeway speeds safer. This is especially critical when you look at how damned high they have the suspension set stock. Why did they not install one from the factory? Makes no sense.


Built to satisfy a price-point. That means things like sway bars don't make the cut....you want sportier ride and the other trimmings you have to go upmarket (spendier car).

Product positioning isnt "sporty" with the Yaris....it's inexpensive.

[yougojay]

Welding on extra metal to fix factory defects is very commonplace in the autobody and automotive restoration world. You should see all the difference it can make. As for the 1/4 inch gap in your car, that's still way too wide. It should be half that. Seems they started putting that weatherstrip in there simply to try and address the issue.

Like I said, that sounds like a disaster...welding on extra metal to fix gaps? Never heard of that...and would NEVER try to fix gaps on a 15,000 + dollar car...never. I am perfectly fine with this 1/4'' gap. The car panels line up excellent. It is like night & day versus an American made car.

I would imagine that weatherstrip has helped to keep the engine bay a lot cleaner. My Yaris has been driven 3,600 miles since 4/11/2013 - we have had a lot of rain this Summer, and the engine is barely dusty. It's really pretty amazing how clean the engine is after all the roadspray I've endured driving these past 5 months

[fnkngrv]

Built to satisfy a price-point. That means things like sway bars don't make the cut....you want sportier ride and the other trimmings you have to go upmarket (spendier car).

Product positioning isnt "sporty" with the Yaris....it's inexpensive.

a rear swaybar isn't just a sportier option. I just explained other justifications for it. Also if sportier wasn't part of their goal then they wouldn't have been trying to fake the funk all these years with in all honesty a lame S package. Their version of a S model is merely lipstick on a pig or woodgrain plastic garbage like found on higher end Hyundai vehicles 5-10 years ago. Your reasoning is flawed. :rolleyes:

[BennyLava]

That gap is of NO consequence whatsoever.

Toyota didn't "overlook" it....thats not their M.O., there's probably a very good engineering or manufacturing rationale behind it. I doubt it's an "issue" or a deficiency...it's the way the car is and *somewhere* somebody knows why. Exactly why. That's engineering.

Perfection is unattainable no matter how much you spend on a car and "value" is where it's at.

In the big scheme, it's one of the finest, yet lowest priced cars around and that (seemingly) large gap between the hood and front fascia doesn't change that one iota.

Some of these replies... LOL. As an engineering student, I can tell you that's not even close to being true. Toyota (like all automakers) can and does make mistakes. You forget the "Moving you forward, even when you don't want to" bug? In most cases everyone likes to blame engineers but they're only human, they make mistakes just like everyone else. On top of that, they're dealing with a set budget and they can't go over it without permission from corporate. You sound like you just want to think that your Yaris is a flawless car and maintain your fanboyism with toyota. Well, (and this goes back to my engineering point) the Yaris is just an entry level car. It is THE entry level car in toyota's whole lineup.

So of course there are going to be overall quality and "fit 'n finish" items, that will arise. That for example, you simply would not see on an $80k Mercedes or BMW or whatever. Its going to happen, its called getting what you pay for.

Like I said, that sounds like a disaster...welding on extra metal to fix gaps? Never heard of that...and would NEVER try to fix gaps on a 15,000 + dollar car...never. I am perfectly fine with this 1/4'' gap. The car panels line up excellent. It is like night & day versus an American made car.


You're not very familiar with automotive restoration then. I promise you its going on all over the country in autobody shops, as we speak. I'll see if I can dig up a link about the process, although I don't see why you couldn't imagine that it would work great. You have a gap, and you tack weld on a few small welds to hold it on. You use filler to get it all evened up and smooth, then you sand, primer and paint. What exactly is hard to understand about how that would seal up a gap, and look like it came that way? You familiar with what they do in wood working? Or masonry? Or other metal working?

Also I have 2 other american cars, besides my Yaris. While I won't disagree that some american cars may share the type of fitment problems as the yaris hood, mine don't. Neither of my other two cars have anything even close to the problem the Yaris hood has, that's part of the reason I started this thread. (2008 F-150, 2010 Dodge Challenger)

http://www.antiquecar.com/bodyshop_door_buildup.php

You'll have to scroll down a bit to get to the gap welding part. Absolutely no reason you couldn't do this to a yaris hood to fix that awful gap. There is also a video of the process from Powerblock TV, I will see if I can find later on when I have time.

[Flipper_1938]

http://www.antiquecar.com/bodyshop_door_buildup.php

You'll have to scroll down a bit to get to the gap welding part. Absolutely no reason you couldn't do this to a yaris hood to fix that awful gap. There is also a video of the process from Powerblock TV, I will see if I can find later on when I have time.

Old cars were built out of real metal. Late models are built out of beer cans. It would be real fun to try and build up the yaris hood gap with mig welder.

[DebbyM46227]

Complaining about a tiny gap in the hood? Seriously....you all need to find something else to do with your spare time.

[Flipper_1938]

Complaining about a tiny gap in the hood? Seriously....you all need to find something else to do with your spare time.

It is an ugly body line. It does not belong there even if it was 1/8" wide. A longer hood would look a lot better. Screw the pedestrians!

[fnkngrv]

Complaining about a tiny gap in the hood? Seriously....you all need to find something else to do with your spare time.

Far from Tiny!

http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m563/fnkngrv/20130906_115425_zps0cdc375f.jpg

This is mammoth and when it gets down to it this type of a gap seriously increases drag which in turn affects power as well as FE. :cool:

[Flipper_1938]

My suggestion

[fnkngrv]

^ my gap issues will be addressed this winter when I have my TRD Australia body kit installed. My body guy is amazing. Thanks, but what you are suggesting would not be legal in my class for my racing.

[D&D]

My suggestion

This would have required moving the hood latch (and the radiator core support that it bolts to) further forward. This would result in a larger and longer front bumper. :thumbdown:

[DebbyM46227]

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Flipper_1938]

This would have required moving the hood latch (and the radiator core support that it bolts to) further forward. This would result in a larger and longer front bumper. :thumbdown:

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2878/869/32192934029_large.jpg

[D&D]

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2878/869/32192934029_large.jpg

So you're agreeing with me I guess? :iono::wink:

[Flipper_1938]

So you're agreeing with me I guess? :iono::wink:

Nope. I'm just showing how they hid the seam on the previous version of our cars.

[D&D]

Yeah, I don't know they didn't do something similar.. :/

[cali yaris]

Entertaining read.

[jcboy]

Well if I met him or her, I'd let them know that their additional cooling inlet is letting dirt and rainwater into my engine bay mucking it all up! :thumbdown:

Me too. :iono:

[cali yaris]

Post #1 claims a "whole half inch gap".

Is there a picture of that? I think 1/8" to 1/4" is the norm.

[jayeh]

It is an ugly body line. It does not belong there even if it was 1/8" wide. A longer hood would look a lot better. Screw the pedestrians!

I wish the hood was longer and higher. I find way too much road debris bounces up and right on to my windshield.

[Bluevitz-rs]

I wish the hood was longer and higher. I find way too much road debris bounces up and right on to my windshield.

That's what the wipers are for...

http://www.nsxfiles.com/images/Vc98%20bird.jpg

[yarisugi]

eww.

[yougojay]

Complaining about a tiny gap in the hood? Seriously....you all need to find something else to do with your spare time.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[DebbyM46227]

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

I'm glad someone agrees with me. I just took a look at that MAMMOTH gap myself!!! It measures less than 3/16" and looks no different that any other car I checked.

I stand by what I said earlier. Most of you need to find something more important to do with your spare time.

Another reason I find myself here on this forum less and less.

[nookandcrannycar]

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I think most of the women in my life and my past (family, friends, and ex-girlfriends) would say that I am one of if not the least sexist male they have ever known. That said.....the meanderings of this thread.....It's a guy thing :smile:.

[nookandcrannycar]

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

The gap in the hood doesn't matter to me, but I disagree with your sentiment on this one.

[fnkngrv]

I'm glad someone agrees with me. I just took a look at that MAMMOTH gap myself!!! It measures less than 3/16" and looks no different that any other car I checked.

I stand by what I said earlier. Most of you need to find something more important to do with your spare time.

Another reason I find myself here on this forum less and less.

must be nice. I never really bothered to measure before, but because of this thread I decided to go ahead and do it. My gap is 5/8". As I have said before it very well could be due to sag from over the years. If you don't like the discussion then move on to another instead of complaining about someone else's complaints. Since the Yaris came out in NA even though folks have loved it they have been known to call out flaws. There really are plenty of corners that Toyota cut in the name of "cheap" that other manufacturers have not with the Yaris hence the reason in reviews it has been beaten out every year since the 07 model hit our shores. It is just the nature of the beast.

[nookandcrannycar]

I think most of the women in my life and my past (family, friends, and ex-girlfriends) would say that I am one of if not the least sexist male they have ever known. That said.....the meanderings of this thread.....It's a guy thing :smile:.

Also (and you may not share this view), I think if you asked most women if there are more things that guys are picky about that make the eyes of women roll or more things that women are picky about that make the eyes of guys roll, that most women would agree that the latter is the case/true.....and I'd bet my last dollar that most guys think the latter is the case/true (although SOME might hesitate to confirm this).

[tooter]

I'm pretty sure they did it for the pedestrian impact standards.

I think this is the reason for the blunt nose and high hood that everything seems to have now.

I agree. Government standards... and I don't mind it at all.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/compost_bin/car/IMG_7450_zps8a3abf18.jpg




It gives the bumper some free movement before bending the hood. My hood has a really nice snug fitting rubber weatherstrip. :smile:

[nookandcrannycar]

I also feel that how prominent the gap appears to be varies with the color of the specific car

[yougojay]

I agree. Government standards... and I don't mind it at all.




It gives the bumper some free movement before bending the hood. My hood has a really nice snug fitting rubber weatherstrip. :smile:

Your hood is the same as mine Tooter - Very minimal gap...must be a second generation Yaris thing (with the big gap)

[tooter]

Your hood is the same as mine Tooter - Very minimal gap...must be a second generation Yaris thing (with the big gap)

I thought I'd never see the day when I'd say that 3rd gen styling was better than 2nd gen in any way! :laugh:

[racerb]

One of the things that attracted me to the Yaris in the first place, was it's almost cartoonish type front end look, something like a Pixar Cars kinda thing. That said, I now have an idea of what to call the hood gap, it's now a uni-brow!

racerb :laugh: