Removing front air dam?

[TheDoug]

Saw a post on the forum some one had removed the front air dam and I think it makes the expy look nicer. Any reason to keep it on? I am sure it's there for aerodynamics but when your driving an almost 3 ton vehicle is it going to make that big a difference?

 

[Bill Schell]

My neighbor has a 2018 F150 and removed his. He thinks it has cost him a little drop in mpg... as in tenths.

 

[scottdm]

Saw a post on the forum some one had removed the front air dam and I think it makes the expy look nicer. Any reason to keep it on? I am sure it's there for aerodynamics but when your driving an almost 3 ton vehicle is it going to make that big a difference?

I initially removed mine completely, but then noticed how floppy the bottom of the front facia was. I ended up trimming the front air dam substantially instead to keep a bit more rigidity on the bottom of the front facia.

 

[TheDoug]

I initially removed mine completely, but then noticed how floppy the bottom of the front facia was. I ended up trimming the front air dam substantially instead to keep a bit more rigidity on the bottom of the front facia.

That is something I did not consider. Thanks! Have any pics of what you did?

 

[scottdm]

That is something I did not consider. Thanks! Have any pics of what you did?

Trimmed it so the air dam is just even with the bottom of the front skid plate.

 

[TheDoug]

Trimmed it so the air dam is just even with the bottom of the front skid plate.

View attachment 32240

Man that looks great... What you cut it with?

 

[Fozzy]

I removed mine and it looks so much better. I used the 4 self tappers you take out and used the factory holes and screwed them into the carpet wheel well to help hold the front tighter. I removed a bunch of plastic and carpet to clear my 35’s so I did really care about screwing new holes.



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[scottdm]

Man that looks great... What you cut it with?

I taped the back side with painters tape and marked the cutting line and used my Fein oscillating tool with a half circle fine toothed blade.

 

[TheDoug]

I taped the back side with painters tape and marked the cutting line and used my Fein oscillating tool with a half circle fine toothed blade.

Thanks... When my skids plates arrive I will be doing this as well!

 

[Grey ghost]

I'd be concerned about engine cooling the air dam creates a low pressure area for the air exiting the radiator to be sucked through. This may only be an issue in hot climates like Florida.
It does look good though.

 

[Fozzy]

I'd be concerned about engine cooling the air dam creates a low pressure area for the air exiting the radiator to be sucked through. This may only be an issue in hot climates like Florida.
It does look good though.

I need to look at an FX4. I have yet to see one in real life, but a lot of pictures show a different air damn That is short in the middle. Plus when you add the skid plate the low pressure area would be gone or moved way back. I would think.



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[TheDoug]

and look how much shorter this air dam is. This is from Fords site.

 

[scottdm]

Correct. The FX4 has a shorter air dam as stock. Those of us that have added skid plates to non-FX4 models have either removed the air dam completely, or trimmed it in some way based on personal preference.

 

[stricnine]

Per the ford owners site the air dam is strictly for aerodynamics. It is also recommended to remove the air dam when driving off-road per page 205 in your owners manual.

 

[Grey ghost]

Well isn't That special! Now, where's my saw?

 

[CertusExpo]

Removed mine AND trimmed beyond that to give me a higher angle of approach. I'm clearing 12.5 inches at the lowest point of the undercarriage.



Also trimmed the rear for a better departure angle and to mount backup LED bars at the outside edges of the hitch.

 

[Fozzy]

That doesn’t look like a Gen 4, but I have been thinking about cutting the next level up off. Anyone done it?



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[3DogRanch]

That doesn’t look like a Gen 4, but I have been thinking about cutting the next level up off. Anyone done it?

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Fozzy, that's a nice looking rig. What roof rack is that and how does it mount? I haven't found one I like yet, but I keep looking...

 

[Fozzy]

Fozzy, that's a nice looking rig. What roof rack is that and how does it mount? I haven't found one I like yet, but I keep looking...

It’s a Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform. I have the side rails on it for now. It’s mounted to the stock crossbars. There is a little movement and flex. I may upgrade to the heavy duty Rhino bars or buy 2 more Ford ones and use four bars and see how it does.



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[rcompart]

Mines been off since a week after we picked it up. Chunk of ice came off a truck and my wife swerved to hit it(I know she tried to miss it but she totally Pac-Man‘d it) so I removed it the next day when I put it up on the lift to assess the damages.