Air dam removal
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, IL
Air dam removal
I was thinking of removing my airdam, it is cracked, and sometimes rubs on the tires at full right or left steering lock. Would there be any negative problems associated with this? Has anyone done this already? Any pictures? Not sure if I want to remove it or replace it. Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: Mobile, AL
Aerodynamics will change a little. May notice a little drop in MPG but it should be minor. I took mine off my old Suburban, but I also put 33" tires on at the same time, so my MPGs went down anyway. Looking at my 08, it offers no protection just wind deflection.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 7
From: NH
If it's cracked it wouldn't hurt to remove it. Their not to difficult to remove and maybe it's repairable while you have it off. If you don't like it off reinstall it. They also don't contribute alot by the way of cooling direction.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Fredericksburg, VA
I know that in the '08 models, when they brought out the job 3, they extended the air dam by a couple of inches and everyone said mpg went up. Job 1 and 2 guys have been putting the job 3 dams on in order to pick up a couple of mpg.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Actually the extended air dam was a job 2 change. Removal would change the air flow under the truck possibly affecting mpg. Several members have up graded and said they felt the mpg improved slightly. Personally, I think the front pose would look a bit "naked" without it. However, having never noticed one without, that's just an opinion NOT backed up with fact.
In any case, I'm of the opinion that if it wasn't needed for a specific reason, FMC would not have spent the money to put it there in the first place, nor would they have increased the size after the trials of Job 1.
In any case, I'm of the opinion that if it wasn't needed for a specific reason, FMC would not have spent the money to put it there in the first place, nor would they have increased the size after the trials of Job 1.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 185
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From: Jacksonville, IL
I'll remove mine and post pics. Might end up putting it back on, depends on how I like the look. I took the air dam off of an older pickup I had, and I thought it looked better, made the front look higher. We'll see. I am not really worried about mileage, my truck seems to get 12 no matter how I drive.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
I don't have one on my truck. Hasn't been there since I got it because it had a plow on it before and they removed it. I don't miss it, it's small on the older trucks. Don't think there are really any negative effects. On the newer trucks the big air dam will make a difference. Mostly on the older trucks it helps cover some of the blocker beam and right under the edge of the bumper.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: Mobile, AL
I've been paying more attention to the air dams lately, and the job 2 & 3 trucks have a couple of inches more air dam than mine. I think I'll keep her the way she is, until I get my Ranch Hand bumpers on.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 83
Likes: 9
From: Idaho
I realize this is an old post. . . I just got a 13 and the air dam is very big! I always liked a clean and chrome front end; but you'all got me to thinking if it actually does provide some better mpg, hmmmm
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 18
From: Gilbert
Read through this thread, some pics of my '11 with the shorter 2wd valance and another without a valance at all (ugly).
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l-economy.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l-economy.html
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