Does this serve any purpose?

It redirects air flow for less turbulence (fuel economy), increased downforce (traction) and stability (tracking). If you drive at highway speeds with any regularity, you will notice the differences. It is removed on Off-Road because it creates issues with clearances and is not expected to be used for the same reasons as a primarily road vehicle. Hope that helps folks understand both sides.

 

My Limited had one. I pulled it off.
My commute is a 50-mile mostly highway round trip and I cruise at 75mph every day.
It makes no difference.

 

It looks better, thats the only difference that matters.

 

While you feel that way, there is a legitimate engineering reason it is there. You know the bean-counters would have eliminated it like the ‘19 left cubby. Modern vehicles are much more forgiving, but take a classic and pull that sucker off... you will quickly understand. Ever notice they are on race cars? To counter your statement - I drive over 700 miles each way at least once a month an I am putting one ON my OR (had one on my SR5). Each to their own, as it’s your truck... do what you want.

 

I was on the fence, until throwing on a set of trail grapplers and pulling it off to have a look.
The answer was immediate, the air dam is history..

 

Indeed.
It looks good, until you pull off the street tires..

 

I drive a little faster than 75, It will be staying on at least till I wear the stock tires out.

 

I have a hard time believing that it makes that much of a difference...but I guess if someone's done it and actually seen that difference. Ours doesn't have the air dam (but my Ford did have an air dam, took it off, seems to have made no difference).

Removing it does change the look of the truck though (looks better without if you ask me).

The fuel economy aspect is minimal at best. As for the traction and stability, if it was critical, the OR would have it too. At highway speeds, it simply isn't necessary. Yeah, race cars have them. Race cars also travel at speeds where the effects are noticeable.

And bean counters let cosmetic things like spoilers on FWD cars through all the time to differentiate trim levels.

 

don't look bad on my 2018 TRD Pro.

 

Yes. It’s there to get torn off when you go Offroad.

 

Or get stuck on a Miata in the mall parking lot.

 

look closely, I cut that air dam higher than the skid place

 

I think when I looked it up on Fuelly the difference was 0.4 mpg between Sport and OR averages in Sports favour.

 

The limited one is color matched. There was one behind me on the way to work Friday. It looked ridiculous.

 

They need to put the air dam on the Sport to make up for the aerodynamic losses of the hood scoop. That is why the trucks get the same epa.

 

Interesting! Notice any difference other than look? Keep it from old truck or pick one up?

 

This looks really good