Front air dam
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,006
Likes: 1,517
From: Maine, Virginia
Front air dam
As an experiment, I took off the front air dam early last winter. In truth, I like the look better with it off. Living here in SE Virginia, we don't get much snow so the dam was never an issue on snow banks.
I ran the truck without the dam for three seasons and this weekend, I put it back on.
My assessment: Without the dam, the truck never felt well planted to the road in the front. I felt as though I lost about 1 MPG but I suppose that's debatable.
I drove the truck through the mountains, on the flats, in city, freeway, secondaries, etc. in all weather and all times of the day / night.
Today while out getting fuel, I brought the freeway home. Getting up to 70 the truck felt good again. Maybe I've lost my mind as I know that 70-80 really shouldn't have that kind of an effect. At any rate, no matter how crappy it looks, it's staying on.
Thoughts?
I ran the truck without the dam for three seasons and this weekend, I put it back on.
My assessment: Without the dam, the truck never felt well planted to the road in the front. I felt as though I lost about 1 MPG but I suppose that's debatable.
I drove the truck through the mountains, on the flats, in city, freeway, secondaries, etc. in all weather and all times of the day / night.
Today while out getting fuel, I brought the freeway home. Getting up to 70 the truck felt good again. Maybe I've lost my mind as I know that 70-80 really shouldn't have that kind of an effect. At any rate, no matter how crappy it looks, it's staying on.
Thoughts?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 85
From: penn twp.
I agree with Bob. I've noticed the dam on my truck. But never really paid any attention to the dam. Not even when washing the truck. And I'm quite **** when washing my truck. I've never scraped it off of anything either. Nor does it bother me having it there either. It's kind of like one of those " it just is" kind of things.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,878
Likes: 2,485
From: Louisiana
I don't like it, but I left it on because I figured the engineers put it on there for a reason. I washed my 2011 on Friday, and I've always thought it's such a PITA to reach that thing.
I do like the one on current body style much better because it's easier to get to when you wash the truck.
I do like the one on current body style much better because it's easier to get to when you wash the truck.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,155
Likes: 0
From: Southern Louisiana
Took mine off the morning after I bought my current truck and only a few months after I bought my 2012, so I am unsure if it made any difference for me. Both were tossed in the trash as well so there's no going back. I hate to look of those things. I do remember holding on to the one from my 2012 in case of any drastic decrease in fuel economy and there was none so it was tossed.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 39
From: Laramie, WY
I think it would only make a difference at high speeds. It will create a low pressure area underneath the vehicle that would add stability. Otherwise around town it wouldn't make a difference.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 536
From: barton city mi
Mines been off since about October of '12. I noticed no differences before or after the couple combinations of lifts I've done. I think it looks cleaner, and gives the impression of more lift than what I really have. It's still hanging in the barn in case I ever want to return everything to bone stock.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,111
Likes: 3
From: Lexington Mo
Mines been off since about October of '12. I noticed no differences before or after the couple combinations of lifts I've done. I think it looks cleaner, and gives the impression of more lift than what I really have. It's still hanging in the barn in case I ever want to return everything to bone stock.
Looks sweet, I like the stance a lot
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More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Mines still on. Having the Bilstien leveling kit maxed out I think I've only scraped it once or twice; of course I probably should have not been driving that fast through a rough field...
Never any issues with snowbanks or the like.
Never any issues with snowbanks or the like.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 536
From: barton city mi
A buddy of mine did smack a pile of ice, and tore his all to crap. So he took it off. We both thought it looked better. That was my urging to remove mine once I found out it wouldn't hurt cooling or anything.
