Howdies!

Okay great thanks for the information! Since it is a low pressure zone then I shouldn't worry about but may look into it from getting those damn leaks between.
I am trying to come up with a temporary way for greater mpg on highways. Something I can deploy for my 250 mile journey twice a month and store in my truck bed or garage when not using. Like an air dam for the front, side skirts, and back wheel covers? And that I don't have to drill.. Don't know if it is possible but do you have any advice for that? At least a front air dam would be nice.

EDIT: Been doing some research and lawn edging seems to work great haha how low to the ground should it be? As low as you can get?

 

Life is going well Josh. How bout on your end?

Just out of interest, what milage are you getting and what tricks have you done or do you use to improve it?

 

Pretty darn well, just finished my front end conversion which I am happy about.

My camper shell has helped a little with gas milage, skinner wheels, and driving 69-70 in my 75 mph trip. So I want to make something temporary that can be taken off for city driving, but put on for highway to improve that

 

Yes, lawn edging is a good start and pretty durable. My current air dam has about 7.25" ground clearance. I did try for wheel spats/tabs in front of the front tires but they didn't seem to work for my setup. It had a 3" ground clearance.

Do have some pictures of your truck? It would be helpful to see what I'm working with.

 

Here are some current pics of it. It sits pretty high but any air dam would be better than none right? I guess I can piece together some lawn edging to make it deeper





I was thinking use lawn edgning and attach it by using clamps or super strong clips on the inside lip of the bumper and then use another piece of material (wood or metal) that attaches to the air dam to behind the bumper where the license plate holes are and bolt it to that for another anchoring spot

 

You seem to live in a good neighborhood with well manicured yards. Have you ever taken a poll of what the neighbors think of your truck parked in the driveway?

 

Good deal Josh.

So, what's the actual MPG number you're getting?

I've changed out the Taco for a 4Runner but, I really watch the driving. Our limit is 70mph which is my speed (alway drive the the speed limit or less). I don't take off fast and traffic permitting I coast down. I keep the tires at proper inflation etc.

 

In the big scheme of things...if I did take a poll to find out what the neighbors thought, it wouldn't really matter to me since they aren't my sponsors. If they were funding me, it would be a different story.

Same goes for the other drivers on the road. Don't really care what they think of what methods I use to learn as long as it doesn't directly harm them in any way (aka things falling off), right?

I have found that I'm more readily accepted here by the locals here in Bryan/College Station than when I was in Houston. Most of the students here are usually too busy looking down and texting while they are sitting at the light or while they are driving.

 

I get 21-22 on that 250 mile trip going the 69-70 which is what it is rated to do at stock. So with a 3 inch kit I can't complain but want to squeeze a little bit more out of that.

 

The key is to minimize the amount of frontal area without adding too much to it. When I dropped my OEM air dam 6", it basically covered the lowest part of the underside of the truck. From there...I installed a full length belly pan from front to back. Here's my thread when I started learning about belly pans on my T-100.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/60-t-100-forum/325836-under-belly-pan.html

You could try a partial grill block to minimize the amount of air getting caught up in the engine bay. You'll have to do some trials to find out what's going to make the difference for you. They key is to get as much air going up and over the truck compared to going into the engine bay or under the truck. Obviously, I wouldn't suggest a full grill block since you are out there in NM.

When I started building my dropped air dam project, I went through various methods of attachment. I'm not sure your method of attachment is going to be strong enough. You might want to try making a frame and then attaching that frame to the truck using any of the existing holes or fastening points. It will make it easier to attach or remove.

This is what I was learning about air dams...
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/60-t-100-forum/294746-modified-air-dam.html

3" clearance!

 

Give 65mph a try and see what your gas mileage ends up to be. It will take approximately 0.3 hours longer (about 20 minutes) to find out how much savings you will see.

 

Thanks for the links to the other thread. Some people are too negative against these ideas haha
I'm going to look at the a partial grill block and like you said not the whole thing since where I live.
With attaching the air dam to the frame like in that one picture, will that have the same affect as being flush with the front bumper? It will still be directing air away from under portion right? I just measured how high my bumper is and its 21 inches from the ground
I will definitely try 65 this next weekend and see the savings and the angry looks of people fly by!
I'm glad I found you haha

 

Just as long as you try, you will learn. Some solutions may not work but as long as you keep at it, one will eventually work for your driving habits.

What is the lowest part of your Tacoma? That would be the lowest I would attempt to go with on the air dam.

This was my lowest air dam EVER! That thing caved in because of the lack of support...I just couldn't see how much it was caving in during the drive.

 

For your partial grill block, I would try blocking the top portion first. Going by your picture, I see the 3 horizontal slotted sections where you could block the top 2 from behind the grill so it's not noticeable by other people. You could try it from the front first with some cardboard that you paint with flat black paint or go clear with some plexiglass/Lexan if you want your grill to still show through. I prefer my grill blocks to be on the front in case I need to pull them if the engine coolant gets too hot.

As far as the air dam goes, you could try some front wheel spats instead of a full air dam. Wheel spats are like a mud flap but it's on the front side of the tire. It's basically diverting the air from the tires. It will need to be stiff so support is key. You don't want that folding in towards your tire.

 

I do have some plexiglass that I may rig up for a partial grill block like you said!

I've never heard of wheel spats and they seem more 'not in your face' as a full on air dam. Does diverting air from the wheels make them have to do less work because of there being less air force pushing on them?

 

If you look at the newer vehicles, you will see the spats...although they usually aren't very big. They even have some for the rear wheels, too!

The key will be where and how you fasten them to your vehicle. Support is also critical. I'll have to see if there is a Tacoma near me so I can get some ideas to help you.

 

Josh, You'll have to supply some pics of your work and let us know the results.

 

Here's a few of the Tacoma threads that might give you some ideas to work from...
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/amocat-2005-tacoma-29663.html
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/98-single-cab-tacoma-2-7l-smudge-31558.html
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/97-4x4-3-4l-extra-cab-tacoma-project-29056.html

If you could make an aero cap, it might be your biggest opportunity for fuel savings. At least to put it on for the long runs.

 

Pulled the rudder off and put on new reflective "1WD" lettering on the both sides of the tail cone.

Over 24' of belly pan!

 

View from behind...looking down.