Front air dam and highway handling

Lots of early threads on the dreaded "air dam" on the front of SR5. I haven't removed mine, but on the freeway at 70mph, I notice the truck wants to wander a bit from wind buffeting. Curious if anyone else has noticed this. For the TRD owners, do any of you experience this? Thinking about taking the thing off and see if the problem goes away. Haven't had an alignment done yet, doesn't pull left or right. Just aggravating to drive at freeway speeds.

 

I never had that problem when I had mine? Though I do notice with any headwind my truck doesn't like to go straight

 

Removing air dam is a very easy process. Takes less than five minutes. Take it off and try it for a few weeks.

 

Are you on grooved pavement? Stock tires? I only notice issues on grooved pavement where mine wants to follow the grooves.

 

I've never experienced anything like that, no.

 

I notice it in high winds. But, I'm driving a brick with wheels ... so I don't think removing the dam will do much for that. Although, I am removing mine soon to accept the SSO bumper ... so I'll see soon enough.

 

Are you doing any suspension or spacers with the sso, i was in the gb and not sure if im gonna like 1/4"-1/2" sag.

 

Also op i have my air dam still, 40k on the truck and high winds do push the truck around, i doubt the removal will change that.

 

Yeah, but I still have no idea what I will do yet.

I already have about 1/2"-3/4" sag from my cap, so a little sag in the front is welcome at this point. I also have Mobtown sliders coming, which I believe are another 150lb for my configuration.

Once everything is on and settled, I will make a decision.

I don't really want to lose ride quality with lifting, as one of my dogs already gets terribly car sick.

6112/5160+progressive AAL seems ideal (then maybe air bags once I get a travel trailer), but I may just do air bags and call it a day.

 

I had taken the front air damn off for awhile, then put it back on for awhile and then took it back off again, but after raising the front up 1" to level out the truck, and then looking at the front of the truck something told me that it would better with it back on.

So I put it back on and there it's going to stay, plus I'm not having to look at it hanging from the ceiling in my shop. I did noticed I that I immediately picked up about 1.5 miles per gal better gas mileage with it back on.

I also have not noticed any difference in the way the truck handles at highway speeds with it on or off.

 

I have the OR without the air dam. Slight breeze pushes my truck around when i'm going 55+mph.

 

It's not the air damn. Tacomas are not at all aerodynamic. I have OR without air damn and definitely get pushed around on a windy day.

 

You mean a big square box going down the road has wind resistance???

 

I had a '84 Rabbit GTI that a GF hit a curb and yanked off the air dam. The car at highway speeds, 65-85mph had more front end "wander". After putting on a deeper Kamei spoiler, the "wander" went away.

 

hmmm... I just raised my front end 2"... maybe I should put mine back on...

 

SR5 does get shitty stock tires...

 

Thanks for all the input. Didn't notice this much with my 2011. I'm running stock size 17 inch 2.65 x 75 x 17 tires similar to Coopers. Guess the long, high nose on the new Tacomas just isn't very wind friendly.

 

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/wing-it-simple-talk-complex-subject-aerodynamics/

 

I removed the air dam on mine. I still get tossed around on the highway.