Taco Tuesday: Window Deflector Options For 2nd & 3rd Gen Toyota Tacoma

We Asked 8 Owners Why They Chose To Add Window Deflectors To Their Tacomas & What Brands They Run – Here’s What They Said!

This Week’s Topic: Window Deflectors 

Welcome back to another Taco Tuesday! If you missed last week’s TT, we looked at several window tint brands for the Tacoma. This week, we will continue with the window theme in the form of aftermarket window deflectors for the Toyota Tacoma. The list is mainly 3rd Gen Tacomas, with one 2nd Gen.

As always, feel free to DM the owners on IG to ask any additional questions about their setup if needed.

Enjoy!

Top Brands Featured

• Yotaverse: Check Price
• AVS
  • In-Channel: Check Price
  • Stick-On: Check Price
• WeatherTech: Check Price

Window Deflector Basics

There are several brands in the aftermarket scene that offer side window deflectors for the Toyota Tacoma. As you will see below, the two most popular brands when searching for wind deflectors are WeatherTech and Auto Vent Shade (AVS).

There are also two installation options, which are either inside or outside your window channel with 3M adhesives.

Most rigs you see have in-channel options for a more OEM+ aesthetic. This option is good, however, some brands have been reported to interfere with aftermarket window tint or affect window motor performance over time. That varies from truck to truck and brand to brand, though.

Outside channel options are great for those who don’t want to add any plastic that Toyota did not intend for, i.e. inside the window channel. However, this option is definitely far less subtle and you do risk them flying off on the highway if the adhesives fail (not super common if installed correctly). 

Side window deflectors offer fresh air enjoyment with an original equipment look. Having window deflectors on your Tacoma can also reduce wind noise while driving. In addition, they will keep windows and interiors dry when raining, and also help reduce interior heat when the truck is parked. 

These benefits are gained regardless of brand, as they all cover the top 1-3″ area of your windows depending on the model purchased. With them, you can crack your windows open without letting unwanted elements (like rain) enter your truck while still allowing fresh air to come in.

1. Bryan Estepa (@papab.trd) – WeatherTech

Window Deflector Details

• Model: In-Window Channel Rain Guards
• Price: $120

What Do You Like About The Wind Deflectors You Went With?

I go snowboarding quite a bit, so these are super handy when dealing with the snow/rain. Especially after a day of boarding, getting fresh air in while keeping out the snow/rain is everything. Also, foggy windows are super common with colder weather conditions due to the condensation that builds up inside the truck. These are super helpful with allowing cold air in to help defog the windows quickly and increase visibility while still keeping out the snow/rain.

When I was researching brands, I decided on WeatherTech since they are in-channel and feel way more sturdy and secure compared to the adhesive versions. They also look much sleeker versus the stick-on alternative. These were definitely one of the more affordable upgrades that were both of form and function.

2. Keoni Vadset (@puddle.hunter) – Auto Vent Shade (AVS)

Window Deflector Details

• Model: Low Profile Ventvisor | Smoke
• Price: $65

What Do You Like About The Wind Deflectors You Went With?

I bought these for my Tacoma because I also run them on my other Toyota vehicles and love them. AVS makes a great fitting and super easy-to-install product. I mainly use these to be able to crack my window down on the trails or at the beach so that my truck doesn’t get too hot inside.

The low-profile ones also allow me to keep a factory look but still add a little bit of flair to the side. The smoked color helps block the sun, giving you a decent amount of shade around your eyes and head. What I like most about these is the clean low profile look. I still get the same function as the other window visors but without the big curved bulge.

3. Kali Helsel (@kalis_yota) – WeatherTech

Window Deflector Details

• Model: In-Window Channel Rain Guards | Dark Tint
• Price: $120

What Do You Like About The Wind Deflectors You Went With?

I added these to my Tacoma for looks and utility. I drive with my windows down a lot and these are great because, in the rain, I get to have my windows down still. They also help reduce wind noise and minimize interior heat.

The good thing about the WeatherTech deflectors is that they don’t use any exterior tape. They fit right into your window channel and create a sleek look for your truck.

4. Nick Salsbury (@quicksendtaco) – Auto Vent Shade (AVS)

Window Deflector Details

• Model: In-Window Channel Rain Guards
• Price: $125

What Do You Like About The Wind Deflectors You Went With?

I got the AVS low-profile rain guards specifically because the windows on the Tacoma are pretty small as is. I have had unfavorable experiences with outside channel guards long term. They work great; it’s been over three years and they never failed me. For the price, you can’t beat the look and functionality!

5. Cody Dubaj (@_liltaco) – WeatherTech

Window Deflector Details

• Model: In-Window Channel Rain Guards | Dark Tint
• Price: $120

What Do You Like About The Wind Deflectors You Went With?

I added these to have the windows cracked open in the rain. Also, the sleek in-channel design looks great on the truck.

6. Phil Quitevis (@yoda_brh) – Auto Vent Shade (AVS)

Window Deflector Details

• Model: Low Profile Ventvisor | Dark Smoke
• Price: $60

What Do You Like About The Wind Deflectors You Went With?

I originally bought the window deflectors for looks. Then, realized the advantages after installing them. These deflectors allow for heat ventilation and dissipation while parked on a sunny hot day. The dark tint hides the cracked opened windows from prying eyes while the truck is unattended. The windows can also be left open a bit when it’s raining which is nice so the truck doesn’t fog up while also stopping water from coming into the cab.

7. Jon Gangloff (@trd.jon) – YotaVerse

Wind Deflector Details

• Model: Tacoma Wind Deflectors (4 Pack)
• Price: $60

What Do You Like About The Wind Deflectors You Went With?

I went with the Yota Verse window deflectors for my Tacoma.

I was skeptical at first about potentially having added wind noise while driving after installation. However, that is not the case with these. The Tacoma’s cab is just as quiet as it was before installing these Yotaverse wind deflectors. I feel these are a bit more functional than in-channel versions mainly for their rain protection.

The installation was super easy. At first, it was a little challenging to figure out exactly where I needed to place the front wind deflector. I didn’t exactly know how far down the a-pillar I needed to go to allow it to fit correctly. After taking a step back, the puzzle became very obvious and installation was a breeze.

Full disclosure, I have taken these off after having them for about 8 months. I live in FL and the heat must have caused the front passenger deflector adhesive to fail. So, I decided just to take them all off with the intention to try out an in-channel version.

8. Elias Rodriguez (@pure_eliass) – Wellvisors

Window Deflector Details

• Model: ‘05-’15 Tacoma
• Price: $80

What Do You Like About The Wind Deflectors You Went With?

I added window deflectors on my Tacoma because it helps me with the Vegas sun! They come with double-sided tape that makes them easy to install and are also very durable. The fitment is perfect and lines up with no issues.

Final Thoughts

As you can see in the picture above, there is a reason why pretty much everyone likes their window deflectors – so they can have a window cracked open while it is raining outside. I really think that window deflectors are an often overlooked mod. They offer many benefits for around or under $100. This can be said for next week’s topic as well, which is hood bug deflectors; another simple piece of plastic that offers several benefits.

If you want to be featured for Taco Tuesday, submit your build through TrailTacoma.com/Feature. Next week’s Taco Tuesday will be featuring 3rd Gen Tacoma Hood Bug Deflectors that owners are running and what they like about them. We’re looking for sweet rides to showcase! If this is you and you love your setup, send in your details because we want to see it.

Thanks for reading guys. I’ll see you next week!