Snow + Air Dam?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: FL
Snow + Air Dam?
Looking on recommendations for leaving in place or removing the front air dam for the winter. Has anyone broken their front air dam from deep snow? it is only attached with 2 bolts and is pretty flimsy...
Also, is there any negatives from removing it? I believe it is for air flow control/aerodynamics and not for protection. I can live with a slight mileage decrease (probably negligible) to keep from breaking it off.
Thanks
Also, is there any negatives from removing it? I believe it is for air flow control/aerodynamics and not for protection. I can live with a slight mileage decrease (probably negligible) to keep from breaking it off.
Thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 536
From: barton city mi
Mines been off for close to a year. The only thing I've really noticed is that the truck "appears" to sit higher. I'm not sure the thing ever really did do much, still haven't over heated anything, handles the same, etc., etc.. I suppose an injunear in a basement corner could come up with why it's even there. But, if I'm not mistaken, previous years didn't have them.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: FL
Thanks John, exactly the input I was looking for. I was actually just reading you thread over HERE and pretty much decided it was coming off. It even says that it can be removed in the manual:
"Note: Your vehicle may be equipped with a front air dam that can become damaged (due to reduced ground clearance) when taking your vehicle off-road. This air dam can be taken off by removing two bolts."
"Note: Your vehicle may be equipped with a front air dam that can become damaged (due to reduced ground clearance) when taking your vehicle off-road. This air dam can be taken off by removing two bolts."
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
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For what it's worth I would say there is no issue removing them. Most of our guys removed them in the field to keep from pulling them off. We put them back on when we sell the trucks, mostly to make them look cleaner.
I did notice something strange when I picked up my new expedition. The 2wd units (same as the 2wd F-150) came equipped with the lower air dam but the 4wd did not (4wd expedition does use the 2wd control arms and a arms so it rides slightly lower). I figured I had purchased one that was missed on the assembly line but nope, no 4wd on the lot had one just the 2wd. The theory behind them is most likely two fold, get the air down and way from the bottom of the vehicle which creates the most drag and also push some air up and over the radiator at medium speeds.
I doubt you would notice any heat issues, maybe increased cycle times on the fan but nothing else out of the ordinary.
I did notice something strange when I picked up my new expedition. The 2wd units (same as the 2wd F-150) came equipped with the lower air dam but the 4wd did not (4wd expedition does use the 2wd control arms and a arms so it rides slightly lower). I figured I had purchased one that was missed on the assembly line but nope, no 4wd on the lot had one just the 2wd. The theory behind them is most likely two fold, get the air down and way from the bottom of the vehicle which creates the most drag and also push some air up and over the radiator at medium speeds.
I doubt you would notice any heat issues, maybe increased cycle times on the fan but nothing else out of the ordinary.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 536
From: barton city mi
Thanks John, exactly the input I was looking for. I was actually just reading you thread over HERE and pretty much decided it was coming off. It even says that it can be removed in the manual:
"Note: Your vehicle may be equipped with a front air dam that can become damaged (due to reduced ground clearance) when taking your vehicle off-road. This air dam can be taken off by removing two bolts."
"Note: Your vehicle may be equipped with a front air dam that can become damaged (due to reduced ground clearance) when taking your vehicle off-road. This air dam can be taken off by removing two bolts."
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
According to Ford, the air dam is for air flow, which in turn increases fuel economy, however I doubt the air dam would make a big difference. It is tougher than it looks though as I've nailed mine on a few occasions with just some minor scrapes.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Ontario, OH
I've had mine off for just under a year and i haven't noticed a change in MPG's or any cooling issues.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Montana
I took mine off about a month ago, and have actually noticed a .1 MPG gain on the lie-o-meter. I wonder if the leveling kit makes the airflow that much different from factory, that when installed, the air damn actually acts as an impedance to air flow? In any case, I have not seen any negative results in removing the air damn. Then again, I live in a cooler climate, and have not towed since removal, so I cannot speak to the possibility of an increase or decrease in air flow to the radiator.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: FL
I will most likely only have it off for the winter months anyways. We are already dipping to mid 20s in New England.
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