1st gen tailgate

i hear that a proper tailgate improves MPG at highway speeds, when closed, it keeps the low pressure air bubble secure in the back
... or something of that sorts

if the back is all packed up like yours there probably is no difference with the aerodynamics

 

Yeah that’s why I went low profile with the rack. But your right about the bubble fluid dynamics at its best!

Test the concept, rake some leaves into a bag and have someone drive, using the back sliding window put the leaves in to the bed area by hand and close the window and observe.

Maybe you can tell us the proper speed as to when the bubble starts to form.



Back to tailgates, you can always keep an eye out for junk yard finds, also seen some on Craigslist but then can get pricey

 

When you slide open the back window it improves air movement in the cab over just having the
door windows open. But if there's leaves or stuff in the bed, they start flying into the cab...

-Mike "just something I noticed the other day..."

 

i have a different pattern than what is pictured on james dean creations web page, or else I was looking in the wrong section?