Well, after running 3,000 miles pulling my fiver (~10k lbs) doing 60 MPH in California and 65 MPH everywhere else, I got 10.1 MPG. Most of those miles were towing, with one tankful running around Yellowstone.

Don't really know if the air dam got me anything. For my pre-air dam trips, on a trip to the Grand Canyon of 1,000 miles I got 9.7 MPG, but the motor was newer, only had 2,000 miles on it. Going on another trip to Hearst Castle, I got 9.9 MPG for the 800 miles, but no climbing over mountains, got to stay on the coast all the way. And when I went to Hoover Dam, a trip of 800 miles I got 9.6 MPG.

It's hard to compare these trips, since there was a mix of bob-tailing and towing. I'd say the trailer was within a few hundred pounds on most trips with it being heaviest for the two-week trip to Yellowstone. One could argue that I'm getting better mileage now since I had to climb up over 8,000 feet on several occasions (at least four times towing that I can remember) and I only got to 7,000 feet or so towing to the Grand Canyon.

If I average my towing trips before the air dam, I got 9.7 MPG, so with a 0.4 MPG improvement, it'll take another 4,000 miles of towing to make the payback.

I haven't driven it enough commuting back and forth to work to see a difference in my bob-tail mileage. With the short distance that I drive, it could be several months to get six or more fill-ups.

 

I did the samething on my F-450 with bigger air dam and I havn't really check to see if mpg's improved or not but does drive better because of lest wind drag.

 

I Have had mine on for about 500 miles.. It does help..no big numbers... .5 to 1mpg at best.Every little bit helps.

 

I agree w/ richfaa. I see about the same. Haven't taken any longer HWY trips to see much of a difference.

 

Had mine on for a couple months now- have towed to a couple races in various weather conditions- can't say it has really made any difference but I think it looks better and it's sure better at killing bugs...

 

I installed the Job 2 air dam about a month ago - my daily communte is half rural roads and half I-95, avg speed of about 68 mpg. I went from averaging 15.2 to 17.4 with the new air dam. Most mornings I get 19.4 on the way in and 17.4 on the way out (more traffic on 95). Just made a run from VA to northen MI (1800 miles round trip) and got 17.2 mpg (hand-calc) running 74 mph on cruise. Not a bad investment for 100$$.

 

Just made a run from VA to northen MI (1800 miles round trip) and got 17.2 mpg (hand-calc) running 74 mph on cruise. Not a bad investment for 100$$."

HUmmmmmmmmmmmmm////

 

So far, after 4 tanks and 1,400 miles of solo driving (~25% highway) I've gotten 12.4 MPG with the new air damn v the 10.6 MPG I got over ~9,700 miles before I got the air dam. An improvement of 1.8 MPG. At current prices, this saves me $22 per tank. I can go ~350 miles on my average 28 gal fill v ~300 miles at the old MPG.

So with the big trip I just took to Wyoming and driving around town, I've already paid for the air dam which cost me $115 with tax.

I came at this by figuring out that at 12.4 MPG and $4.359 / gal (what I paid two days ago) it costs me $0.35 per mile at 12.4 MPG and $0.41 per mile at 10.6 MPG. This savings = $0.06 per mile. This times the 350 miles between fill ups ~ $21.60 in fuel savings. For towing, I saved $0.017 per mile, for the ~2,500 mile trip, or $43 (I used my average cost from that trip of $4.80 per gal)

 

I also installed the new air dam on my job 1 as well as filled the tires (factory rims and tires) with nitrogen to 75lbs all the way around. Before I was getting 10.9 mpg....NOW after the upgrades.....10.9 mpg!!! I saw no improvement, I went off the dash as well as my own calculations from the pump. My driving is 70% city and 30% highway and I make the same trip to work every day. It does look a little better, my friend works at Ford and it cost me a $50.00 bill in his pocket. He did it for me with my oil change and covered it under warranty...(my factory air-dam accidentally broke of course and the replacement is the new one) Long story short...not impressed with the air dam or the nitrogen which was also free, if I paid for them, I might be pissed. But I didn't buy my truck for fuel economy, this is my third super duty (the other two were 6.0L) and I plan on doing the DPF delete, either Spartan or SCT tuner, exhaust (any suggestions) and either the S&B or AFE intake, then of course I will lift it, throw some wheels and tires on it and go play in the dirt!!

 

Just learned how good the new air dam is. . . . . I got my oil/fuel filters changed about 3k miles ago and the new gas tank bracket recall before that. I've had the new air dam on for, well, check the first post. I was under the truck tonight changing out the Timbrens and I notice this wierd looking shape on my transfer case guard. A closer look revealed it was a shop rag just laying on the inside of the guard. It was left by one of the mechanics who changed the oil. It wasn't stuck, it just lifted right off just like it was laying on the floor. Who knows how long its been there. It had stayed there this whole time. I've done 80+ a few times. I can't believe it hasn't blown out. The air dam has to have some effect on reducing the wind under the truck.

 

I posted this on another forum figured I'd post here as well:

Went to the Ford dealership Tuesday to order the parts for Job 2 airdam and the Venturi Tee. They said if I complained about the fuel milage they would do the bigger airdam under warranty. Dropped the pickup off yesterday and they did airdam free of charge. They would not do the Venturi Tee for free (wanted $40 to install ) but since I know a lot of you paid $100 for that air damn and had to install it yourself I felt pretty good.

Curious if the official position from Ford has changed and you all could get a refund or I just got lucky.

 

I have a friend who has a job 1 4x4 w/ the 2" air dam. He mentioned that he wished the fuel economy was a little better. I told him about what I read here about installing the 4" air dam and the possibility of getting a little more mpg's. He went to the dealership to get the 4" air dam and the techs told him not to do that because it would cause more regens. I thought that was a little strange because I don't understand how reducing the drag would result in more regens. Maybe I'm wrong but I think he needs to find another dealership..........

 

Wow, you dug an old thread out. Have to agree with you.

I have the taller air dam; just makes it more difficult for my belly to squeeze under when changing the oil

More regens would = worse fuel economy so hard to believe Ford would have made it taller if that were the case as all accounts were that it was to improve fuel economy.

Bob

 

Anyone feel like giving up thier Job1 air dam? I just put a plow frame on my Job3 truck, and the larger one won't fit. I'm thinking of possibly cutting it, but just can't bring myself to do it just yet. Maybe I could ask the dealer if they've got any laying around.

 

I have one. PM me with shipping info. If you pay shipping, we have a deal.

I had an '08 Job 1 with the small valance. I bought a used valance from an FTE guy that is the large Job 2 and up one. Ran over 100K miles with it and I have no idea if it made a difference but at least the effort was there.

I can tell you all this, when you tow something, all bets are off. The air advantage of the valance pretty much goes out the window.