Air dam?

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Jun 26, 2011 | 09:04 PM

KC8QVO

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Cargo Master

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Air dam?

There has been a bit of talk around here in the past about boosting the air dam dimensions and getting a kick on fuel mileage. Does anyone have some data on this - what you did and what affects it had?

I am taking off for around a 2000 mile trip Saturday and was wanting to try a couple crazy ideas to see if it helps any. Being on the open road I'm not concerned about ground clearence

I was out on the road some this weekend and I saw my mileage peak at 20.8mpg. Once my regen kicked in I dipped down to 19.5. Thats still pretty good. Daily driving I am closer to 17.5-18, but theres also some stop and go in there.

Jun 27, 2011 | 09:38 PM

Gruffid

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Yeah, I'm definitely interested in this as well. My truck's too new for me to have established a "normal" fuel economy, but every bit helps, right?

Jun 27, 2011 | 10:16 PM

kper05

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What would be even better is to fab up a durable but quick connect/disconnect option to switch out the factory air dam with a larger air dam depending on truck needs.
Factory for off-road driving such as when I drive over a small fallen tree or when lexustsb goes swimming (

) and the larger air dam for onroad only travels.

Unless removing/adding this piece of plastic is easy; I've never removed mine.

Crazy idea...I know.
This is what I come up with when I'm still doing work stuff from home this late.

Jun 27, 2011 | 10:45 PM

Tomahawk

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From: Central Illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by kper05

kper,
I like the idea, it would be really cool if it was motorized. You could have 3 settings, highway, off road and oh crap that's a deep hole!

-Gavin

Jun 28, 2011 | 06:00 AM

KC8QVO

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Cargo Master

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Yeah, the removable unit is what I was thinking. Although I am not sure what to use for material with just a few days left before the trip... Maybe some kind of plastic/rubber stripping like at the bottom of hallway walls in buildings? Weather flashing? Hmm... ideas. I just need enough material to close the gap a bit between the air dam and the road, plus be somewhat flexible so if I do hit something it bends not break.

Jun 28, 2011 | 07:41 AM

ruschejj

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Joined: Jan 2009

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From: Greenwood, SC

Just go to your local NASCAR speed shop and pick up a splitter.

Seriously, I like your idea, something I should have done since I drive an average of 1000 each week on the road. Maybe all it would take is attaching another factory air dam under the one that is already there. Not cheap and not easily obtained quickly but it would be strong enough material and have a good shape to it.

Jun 28, 2011 | 08:11 AM

Tom

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Joined: Aug 2003

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From: Isanti, MN

I'm not sure you'd see much of a difference with this.

When you think about it, the factory air dam extends far enough down to block most of the air that would hit the undercarriage from the front. If you start getting that much lower, what do you expect to accomplish?

I can say that you will be moving air that otherwise wouldn't be touched by the truck due to the increased frontal area, which would not be beneficial.

I'm no physicist, but I just don't see how you'd decrease wind resistance this way.