Air Dam - TRD Sport

Didn't notice the Air Dam (black plastic hanging below front bumper) when I first bought, but once I noticed it, it was all I saw when looking at the truck. Apparently, lots of other 4th gen owners felt the same, and Toyota attributes its inclusion in the build to MPG. They must have known we'd want to remove it since it's secured by only nine easily accessible 10mm bolts.

~700mi w/ Air Dam: 22.2 MPG
~600mi w/o Air Dam: 22.5 MPG

Caveats: Truck has just over 2000mi total, so MPG might be skewed from "steady state". I drive exclusively in ECO mode when in town. <100mi w/o the dam were in 4Hi.

 

Now you have me contemplating a Sport instead of Off Road, found an incoming Underground long bed with Premium package. Sounds tasty.

 

Ditch the license plate frame.
Hit your local autoparts store or jump on ebay.
Get these push plugs & fill the holes...
The plugs are way too large for our screw diameter.
I shaved majority of the barbs off & they went in easily with plenty of resistance to not lose them..
after you remove the screws & the plate holder use the but end of a screw driver & push on the screw holes with some force to try & flatten the lifted plastic from the screws.
be careful as the screwdriver can slip & you will mark-up the plastic bumper...

I had some plugs tossed in my tool box...
this is just an ebay link to the plugs:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/394739863087?itmmeta=01HWTJ04M2VY0MXQY1FJM9CRN0&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAABAKc7c21TlUMI6QdPsRV2QIkeZkJtmioBNY3ghHngiSF9A4sEZah7zZoMUXsnmTft3rpqyiNKMR8WmaxK129p7XVz35lTTA5FeVGgkCAqP2jD+9BPt2obvOahFwO3QQjBkY%2F3ZE0atu1EVT1YANpHmgOipSeqAZsGvnLcr8VaZ5sDLHN2nU2c6iDVynxOG69jEpzcp4HXdMffV8DPVQeXs72MBmg2kwWGyv5gtjfiwdJM%2F4tNsU3TtOoIXM9QzvOy9usaKZlUCm83Bar56BBinKv4KvNZK6bSoXwsjFVn%2FrrRw1xCgOkPqamRZlzgYsp74hGy0yiVTzdFO87VsqH7Bec%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR57KgNLmYw

 

I am guessing in a laboratory settings the air dam provided a very modest bump in mpg (sub .5 mpg). Since the EPA is all about laboratory tests and not real world tests, that is what Toyota is probably justifying having it for. I agree it's silly, but Toyota knows people think that and made it easy to remove so no harm done.

 

Looks so much better without it...

 

wow, that is way funnier than it should be. going to think of this and that stupid jingle anytime I see those chin spoilers now. thanks.

 

First and only. Post. Seems legit.

 

It is easy enough to remove at home without a jack or a lift or is it tough to get the ones in the back?

 

No lift needed and 90 seconds with the right tools.

 

10mm socket/cordless drill?

 

I prefer an impact driver or wrench but the drill will work. Just make sure you reinstall the bolts.

 

How did you secure the felt underneath?

 

Reinstall the bolts.

 

Ah ok..I saw a post where a guy cut off the bottom but left the part that screws in. Sounds easier to just re-install the bolts lol

 

Apparently you can just use a phillips head screwdriver as well.

The felt looks kind of weird sticking out like that (obviously still better than the chin plow). Wonder how well it holds up to snow/mud exposed like that.

 

so this is your burner account?

 

Yea I learned that lesson. Slightly ripped up that felt liner due to the air flapping it...

 

You are welcome.

 

I just got done taking mine off. I wasn’t really bothered by it. Going to see how I like it off and see if there’s any mpg drop and then decide if I want it off/on.