Developed in Japan, the finned aluminum guard promises to reduce vibrations and improve stability without messing with the suspension
Although it has already presented the new generation of the Hilux, Toyota has not abandoned the predecessor pickup. Through the Toyota Upgrade Factory, a division of accessories and customizations, the brand launched in Japan a component developed to improve the drivability of the previous generation model.
Named “Shibetsu Fin Undercover”, the piece is an aluminum undercover equipped with small aerodynamic fins. In addition to armoring the underbody, the accessory promises to increase stability in curves, in a straight line and under the action of side winds.
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According to Toyota, studies at the Shibetsu Proving Ground in Hokkaido have identified that the Hilux’s high height from the ground generates small vibrations, which make the air pressure between the rear sides of the vehicle uneven. The fins attenuate this effect: the manufacturer claims that oscillations below 1 Hz drop to a tenth of the original value.
The brand says that the protection does not compromise the pickup’s angle of attack or hinder maintenance procedures, such as oil changes.
Production required a specific solution. The fins, only 0.5 cm high, are stamped on a 0.3 cm thick aluminum sheet, a challenge that has led several industries to refuse the work. To make it possible, Toyota turned to metal artisans from the Tsubame-Sanjo region of Niigata Prefecture, known for its metalworking tradition, combining high-precision pressing with manual adjustments.
The accessory is compatible with Hilux units manufactured between August 2017 and August 2022 and between July 2023 and October 2024. In Japan, it costs around R$ 2,400 (75,900 yen), with taxes and installation included.
The Hilux is not the first Toyota to adopt Shibetsu fins: the Land Cruiser 250 already offers similar items, compatible with models produced from March 2024, for around R$ 1.000 (31.680 yen), with installation.
