Air dam
- Thread starter J Ski
- Start date
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bloodhound
Full Access Members
I don't know about MPG but it's purpose is to assist with cooling.
ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
It looks good.
I've thought about doing it too but I'm curious if a.) it does effect gas mileage or b.) if it would effect cooling and at what cost. Higher than 95 here is rare so it might not be a problem here.
Big Brian
Full Access Members
If it was mine I would not touch it
Ford put it on there for a reason if it didn't need it they would not add it
If they can save 5 cents on a vehicle they will do it, it all adds up
Ford put it on there for a reason if it didn't need it they would not add it
If they can save 5 cents on a vehicle they will do it, it all adds up
SnuffThePunkz
Full Access Members
Looks good, screw mpg's.
Flexpedition
Full Access Members
If this decreases your MPG, I'm adding 6 to mine...
I don't see it having a purpose other than getting caught on something and being ripped off honestly. I doubt this flimsy a$$ piece of plastic is the key component in cooling the Ex
ExpeditionAndy
Full Access Members
It creates a vacuum and sucks the truck right down to the road. Just like NASCAR. 
SnuffThePunkz
Full Access Members
It's your truck man, do whatever you want.
The purpose behind an air dam is to push the air below the suspension and reduce drag. As it's generally a mess down there. Is it going to be the reason your mpg's drop 10 overnight, or it blows the engine in 1000 miles? Na. But they sure look like shit.
And they exist as part a part of the whole yo hit epa rating, not because it single handedly makes the truck better.
fuzzmanmatt
Full Access Members
Do what I always do to mine and break it off on something while driving. Then you have an excuse to say "screw you stupid piece of plastic" and throw it away.
Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk
Chris Rector
Member
I think it is there to direct air to cool the brakes
jeff kushner
Full Access Members
I removed mine last winter because anything over 8" of snow will pack under & destroy it along with anything it hangs onto as it's buckled underneath your truck.
No noticeable effect on ANYTHING so it remains hanging in the garage.....
jeff
No noticeable effect on ANYTHING so it remains hanging in the garage.....
jeff
NevadaGeo
Full Access Members
From what I understand, it decreases the airflow from your undercarriage (hence the "dam"), thus decreasing wind drag. It is there for a purpose.
powerboatr
Full Access Members
and the little dam creates a stronger low pressure area right behind it and that SUCKS air down and out of the engine compartment. it helps manage heat, but mostly to move the air along with as little damming effect as possible at highway speeds from the massive amounts of air being forced into the grill area, getting it back out is key to helping with highway ratings.
f150 has shutters to close off the grill area at speed and this pushes air around to the sides, over the top and bottom of truck. creating less drag from pressurizing air. towing and heat outside will also directly effect shutter opening to make sure engines stay cool.
next gen expy will also have shutters to close off grill and further help with highway MPG. is it huge? well in cafe ratings yes, even a 1-2 mpg increase is seen as a win. take a look at most of new cars air management. more and more have shutters to squeak every mpg gain as possible to meet regs.
but i am just an aviator and really dont know squat about aerodynamics, and i might have been over simply in my explanations.
f150 has shutters to close off the grill area at speed and this pushes air around to the sides, over the top and bottom of truck. creating less drag from pressurizing air. towing and heat outside will also directly effect shutter opening to make sure engines stay cool.
next gen expy will also have shutters to close off grill and further help with highway MPG. is it huge? well in cafe ratings yes, even a 1-2 mpg increase is seen as a win. take a look at most of new cars air management. more and more have shutters to squeak every mpg gain as possible to meet regs.
but i am just an aviator and really dont know squat about aerodynamics, and i might have been over simply in my explanations.
jeff kushner
Full Access Members
I agree with Robert that it's all about streamlining but for someone who tracks their mileage, no difference was noted. FWIW however, I did turn off my AC this week as temps dipped and mileage has instantly jumped .6-.7mpg.
We were forecast for a deep snow so I lay on the ground to see my clearance on my new truck and realized that in any deep snow, it's going to get plowed & packed by that dam until it rips loose. It's held on by 2 or 4 10-12mm bolts so it's very well secured but it is plastic....and hard-packed snow is very unforgiving. That's why I removed mine. That it make it look a little less like a princess-vehicle is fine with me too<LOL>.
25,000 miles since last Nov....mileage since brand new has been steadily creeping up....now at 17.9 average.
jeff
We were forecast for a deep snow so I lay on the ground to see my clearance on my new truck and realized that in any deep snow, it's going to get plowed & packed by that dam until it rips loose. It's held on by 2 or 4 10-12mm bolts so it's very well secured but it is plastic....and hard-packed snow is very unforgiving. That's why I removed mine. That it make it look a little less like a princess-vehicle is fine with me too<LOL>.
25,000 miles since last Nov....mileage since brand new has been steadily creeping up....now at 17.9 average.
jeff
