I cut mine down to 2.5" (removed 5-6") to clear my snow plow mount and see no difference in mpg at all.

I highly doubt you would see 2 mpg difference by just removing the air dam. Mine has been cut down for 5-6 weeks and my mpg has stayed the same, if not gotten a bit better. Not saying the air dam being shorter has anything to do with it at all. Only stating my experience.

It's WAY too big, all there is too it. It looks absolutely stupid being 8 some inches under the front bumper. Cut it down or get a smaller one from a 2wd. Even if you would loose 1 mpg (highly doubtful) it would be worth it to not have the front bumper look so stupid. Someone needs to make a headlight housing that has the actual headlight bulb on top of the parking light. That's absolutely stupid as well.

 

My experience as an autobody repairer.

I have had folks leave these air dams off their truck, (different make, model) and came back saying the water from wet roads was coming up on their side windows. The air dam would blow the water away from the side while driving at highway speeds.

--
Gordon

 

If you are on the open road quite a bit I would bet you will see a difference. Keeping air out from under the truck will make a difference. Take a look at a lot of semi box trailers these days - they have the fins that start out up by the landing gear (in from the edge, towards the inside of the wheels of the tractor pulling it) and extend through the whole under side of the trailer. The idea there is to keep air from moving underneath the trailer = better efficiency = better fuel mileage.

 

and another thing, why do you think manufactureres DO spent million dollars worth of R&D?

would be easier for them to don't, and a lot cheaper as well!!!
just my .02cts...

 

Ok, so I took it off, flipped those metal brackets around and moved the fog lamp wiring harness / loom up into the metal part of the bumper. Nothing has exploded yet.
I could leave it on and let a snow drift take it off for me automatically next month...

 

i did the same thing.....looks much better without it

 

I drove my black 2006 F-350 CC LB Power Stroke to my Ford dealer and parked next to the new 2013 F-350s. I was looking at colors and thinking about ordering a new F-350. My '06 runs like a top. There is not a thing wrong with it, but I was thinking it might be time to move to the new 6.7L diesel engine. While walking back to my truck I happened to notice the black plastic piece under the front bumpers of the 2013 trucks. The plastic piece appeared big and floppy. I brushed it with my foot and then glanced over at my '06 to compare. My '06 plastic piece appeared to be half the height, a lot more streamline, and well designed. By contrast, the 2013 plastic piece looked more like a floppy afterthought. But is this any reason not to buy a new truck?? I tentatively am planning to order a new 2014 F-350 in April. By then maybe there will be a solution to the front bumper design/appearance.

 

When the 08 models came out and many were disappointed with the fuel economy; one of the changes Ford made was to make the air dam taller. Many were 'upgrading' their job 1 to the taller job 2 air dam. Ford later even offered taller, lower (numerically), differential gearing on some models; unfortunately they didn't give the 6.4 the six speed tranny.

The claims and experience by many were a 1 or better MPG difference with the taller air dam. My 08 was a job 2; I hated that new air dam cause I could no longer fit my belly under the thing when changing the oil. So had to start sliding under from behind front wheels; which is still true on the 2012.

Bob

 

.1 or .2 maybe, but 1-2?

 

The brackets are blocker beam brackets. Where a blocker beam used to be bolted between the two it would now be welded to them. However, they are in place to prevent a lower vehicle from sliding under the truck as in a frontal collision. I think you could face some liability issues by modifying or removing them should you have a wreck. If anyone remembers, the blocker beam came about with the introduction of the Excursion.

The air dam is functional just like on my Corvette. Only difference is, the Corvette's is about 3" from the ground and drags on everything. It sounds bad but is flexible enough to pop back in place.

 

I replaced mine with a 2wd version awhile back and think it looks alot better plus I dont have to worry about tearing it off... Havent noticed any mpg loss either..

 

Mine gets removed by snowbanks every year, so this year I took it off for the winter. It'll go back on in the spring. I like the look of it when it's on the truck (and not dangling down because of the snowbank), but I have to admit I have seen zero difference in fuel consumption.

 

I as well removed mine a few months ago. I just did a trip over this past weekend about 550 miles, almost all highway driving, had rain, snow, and no bad weather in some places. I didnt notice a difference in anything at all. stayed right around 16-18 mpg at about 70mph almsot the entire time, no trailer. just my observation.

 

BTW, if there's anyone in the Ottawa region or northern NY state and they have the larger valance they would like to sell, please let me know.

I've had to patch mine back together a few times so it's looking kind of beat up.