Skidplates...Mileage???
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 588
Likes: 20
From: Wilmington, OH
Skidplates...Mileage???
Just spit-balling here, if someone were to come up with a full skidplate for the engine area on the EX, could you expect any significant mileage gains? I was thinking of trying something along those lines with some thin aluminum. Thanks for entertaining my delusions!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 916
Likes: 1
From: Reno, NV
I have to be honest, if you drive an Excursion then your primary concern probably isn't mileage.
If you own a V8 or V10 Excursion - the best way to double your mileage is to buy a diesel excursion.
If you own a diesel excursion you get to have the satisfaction of having the higher mileage but the nagging feeling in the back of your head if you'll ever break even for the premium you paid for the mileage your getting.
In all seriousness, watching your acceleration, braking and idling is going to to more than a aerodynamic skid plate on the bottom of your truck. Our Excursions are as aerodynamic as a brick.
If you own a V8 or V10 Excursion - the best way to double your mileage is to buy a diesel excursion.
If you own a diesel excursion you get to have the satisfaction of having the higher mileage but the nagging feeling in the back of your head if you'll ever break even for the premium you paid for the mileage your getting.
In all seriousness, watching your acceleration, braking and idling is going to to more than a aerodynamic skid plate on the bottom of your truck. Our Excursions are as aerodynamic as a brick.
Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Western MA
While there will significant change in drag considering the underbody components, the downside with a real 4x4 vehicle is you still have the two large axle masses and their connecting components to contend with. Whatever gains you will see in regards to smoothing out the area between the rails will be of no significant benefit.
You typically only see belly pans for aero purposes on low-slung race vehicles, Bugatti Veyrons or the like. They're already low to the ground, have nothing dangling off the body and subframes to create drag and the added smoothness and/or channeling creates a larger low pressure for stability at higher speeds. I've never heard of it being done for efficiency.
You typically only see belly pans for aero purposes on low-slung race vehicles, Bugatti Veyrons or the like. They're already low to the ground, have nothing dangling off the body and subframes to create drag and the added smoothness and/or channeling creates a larger low pressure for stability at higher speeds. I've never heard of it being done for efficiency.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 2
From: Flat Rock, MI
Personally I'd try a longer chin spoiler before any skid plates. If you look at roughly a 2010 Super Duty you'll see that spoiler hangs (under the front bumper) further down than the Excursion one. I'm told you need a spoiler than hangs lower the the lowest hanging part on the underbody (not the front axle). I talked to the SD aero engineer and they thought the SD spoiler was about 1 mpg but couldn't remember. Personally I'd be very surprised at 1 mpg. HTH
PS I haven't changed mine yet...
PS I haven't changed mine yet...
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Wilmington, OH
Thanks guys, that was what I was thinking but wanted to know if anyone may know better than I.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
I think it would take a large effort including engineering and research to make this effective. How much drag or lift would this create? How do you get around everything on the undercariage? What about weight? All this and more have to be taken into question. I will tell you though I am not an engineer but would not mind seeing what you come up with.
I plan on going with a 2010 super duty 4x4 valance on my truck purely for noise reduction. Not sure about the mileage effects it will have.
I plan on going with a 2010 super duty 4x4 valance on my truck purely for noise reduction. Not sure about the mileage effects it will have.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 609
Likes: 3
From: Central Va
sure, had skids on both rockcrawlers, both would spike temps at speed. Work your math, wants to go in, air has little or no escape. Especially at speed. All about sizing, not unlike attic vents in a home. tranny temps could also be thrown off depending on the extent of the plates. Too much going on in a small space to block off air flow without making other mods. Another reason why many aftermarket skid plates look like a 4yr old went nuts with the dimple die machine.
I can pull the numbers easy enough from the toyota computer, the samurai had no electrics.
Roughly a 20-30% increase in temps, and that's in a vehicle 1/3 of the weight, with a much smaller heat source.
I can pull the numbers easy enough from the toyota computer, the samurai had no electrics.
Roughly a 20-30% increase in temps, and that's in a vehicle 1/3 of the weight, with a much smaller heat source.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
sure, had skids on both rockcrawlers, both would spike temps at speed. Work your math, wants to go in, air has little or no escape. Especially at speed. All about sizing, not unlike attic vents in a home. tranny temps could also be thrown off depending on the extent of the plates. Too much going on in a small space to block off air flow without making other mods. Another reason why many aftermarket skid plates look like a 4yr old went nuts with the dimple die machine.
I can pull the numbers easy enough from the toyota computer, the samurai had no electrics.
Roughly a 20-30% increase in temps, and that's in a vehicle 1/3 of the weight, with a much smaller heat source.
I can pull the numbers easy enough from the toyota computer, the samurai had no electrics.
Roughly a 20-30% increase in temps, and that's in a vehicle 1/3 of the weight, with a much smaller heat source.
Sent from my Telegraph using IB AutoGroup
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 2
From: Flat Rock, MI
I've done wind tunnel testing of current products and we had to add vents to a current vehicle to help get the hot air out of the engine compartment. Skid plate at your own risk...If you do, make sure you have a good water temp gauge that has numbers vs. letters.