Parts showing after removing air dam

Hi, recently bought a ‘21 TRD Sport and first things I did was remove the front air dam and installed a RCI skid plate. I removed the two bars that hold the factory skid plate, but there are a couple of pieces that seem to hang lower than have ever noticed on other trucks without the dam. I added a couple of pictures of the pieces I’m talking about, are these supposed to be removed or have I just not noticed that these are always there? I’ve circled what I’m talking about. Thanks!

 

Theres bolts on the bottom you can undo. It allows those extensions to pull out. Then you are left with a hollow.

 

Oh ok, what is the purpose of them?

 

I not 100% sure, but I think that bar going from left to right is a safety device, like a "crash bar" and the items you are referring to were added in later years to extend it.

I'd paint em black before I removed em.

 

You'll likely get even more wind noise at highway speeds by removing those those ends along with the air dam. Not to mention more of the front end components exposed, and a little worse fuel economy.

 

you can slide them in the support, not shure why they are extended

 

Is this the first air dam apologist i've seen on TW?!

You're fine with the skid and supports as they are. I'd pull that bolt and push the supports back in rather than extended so you don't risk snagging them on a rock, though.

 

2005+ Tacoma Frame Caps – Squareone Creations

Frame caps are here to fill your holes

 

No. We’ve been here the whole time. FOCUS.

 

Toyota put that stuff there for a reason, or they could have saved a bunch of money....they're not that stupid when it comes to the bottom line.

 

The reason is to meet EPA standards for chassis aerodynamics and airflow over the front-end in the light duty category and EPA certification is required for their ability to sell trucks (a damn good reason). But I lost no MPG removing it and it sure as shit doesn't protect any front-end components.

 

I got more wind noise when I removed my front air dam. But, then again I do quite a bit of highway driving. I put it back on and the wind noise went away. If you got an upgraded sound system, then drown it out. Not terrible, but noticeable.

 

Sorry OP, but the first thing that came to my mind when I saw your post, was 1980’s basketball shorts…the legs of those things hike up just a little bit, and all kinds of parts start showin that had no business doing so…that is all

 

Lol nice

 

Thanks, I’m not too concerned about wind noise or a tiny bit of mpg loss. I’m looking for ground clearance and cool look factor

 

I think the one in the first picture is your ford recovery hook. To pull dead fords off the trail and out of your way. The ones on my sport are black so I never noticed them.







.

 

crap. You know, I actually bought a Tacoma thinking it was so boring that I’d never want to put money into it.

 

I took mine off and added a TRD skid plate. Never noticed any difference in mpg or wind noise. I think its all in your mind as the Off Road and Pro don't have them and the MPG rating are the same. Plus it looks like complete shit with it on there.

 

Same here. Air dam off, TRD skid plate on. No difference in MPG and no additional wind noise on the highway.

 

Yeah yours aren’t really that noticeable, maybe it’s just because they are painted, or maybe it’s the angle… but does it seem like mine hang down lower than yours?