2025 cabin air filter "rodent screen"

[Cabby30]

So squirrels are able get underneath that cowl that you removed??

Mice at least, yes. I cannot vouch for squirrels.

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[Yotota]

I pulled the cowl. Here is the entry point. (You can also see where they chewed through two wires that I'll splice back together)
I will measure this and model something to 3D print a cover today after work.

I

I'm being pedantic here, but for the sake of accuracy...

You removed the plastic "cowl cover", and we're now looking at the cowl itself. The cowl is the metal body piece that is permanently attached to the cab. At each end of the cowl, there is a drain gap where the fenders attach. Critters are getting in through those gaps.

Looking at the HVAC intake, it would be easy to create a cover with some mesh/screen to prevent critter intrusion.

Thanks for digging into this!

 

[jackvz]

Mice at least, yes. I cannot vouch for squirrels.

But you had acorns there? Didn’t think mice carried acorns around?

 

[MustardTiger]

Is the cowl and wipers pretty easy to remove? I did this on my Tundra, as a preventable measure. My newer steel-body Super Duty has a screen over the hvac intake, but not all model years did…same thing with my GMC. I’ll definitely be taking this apart on the Taco and screening it!! After mice get in once, they will again for sure. And the vehicle is never the same once it happens

 

[Cabby30]

I made one today:

https://www.tacoma4g.com/forum/threads/rodent-screen-installation.18207/

 

[Canufixit]

But you had acorns there? Didn’t think mice carried acorns around?

They will carry ANTHING that they can eat and pick up/drag/put in their mouth ...

 

[Canufixit]

I've not had my filter out - but why can't you just remove the filter and put a 1/4" opening hardware cloth rectangle cut flat on top side of the filter and put it back ??

 

[andrewleader]

I've not had my filter out - but why can't you just remove the filter and put a 1/4" opening hardware cloth rectangle cut flat on top side of the filter and put it back ??

That's literally what I did! I tried removing the windshield wipers as per some ppl here, but I couldn't, so I decided "well if they're accessing from the top, I can just put 1/4" hardware cloth on top of the filter".

I can't say whether it does or doesn't "work", but in theory I think it'd work, and it was ridiculously simple! And I confirmed that the cabin air filter (and its new mesh screen) fits perfectly inside its box it fits in, there's no gaps behind it or anything.

FYI, they can also get in through some rear cabin pressure release vents... I had actual mice get in through my cabin pressure release vents (these are behind the rear seats)... I made a video about putting a cover on those...

Mouse-proofing the rear cabin pressure release vents:

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