Does my Tacoma need this?

So the front of the third gen trucks looks bigger than the front of the second gen. It also "feels" bigger... like I'm pushing more wind. My 2011 had nothing like this under the front bumper. It doesn't exactly look like it improves aerodynamics...

What's it for? If I pull it off am I doing something wrong?

 

Air damn on Tacoma reminds me of girls with double chin. I removed mine and haven't seen any changes to my gas mileage

 

It's an air dam. Toyotas attempt to improve MPG by reducing air drag caused by under body components. I believe quite a few people have removed them. Not sure what effects they have experienced for MPG, but it definately helps how the truck works IMO.

 

It does actually improve aerodynamics but no problems with taking it off. The TRD Off-Roads do not come with them.

 

This is what I came in here to post. Mine doesn't have it since it is an Off Road. Try taking it off and letting us know what the change in mpg is for you if you notice any.

 

Absolutely I will do that. I can't help but think pushing a giant piece of plastic into the wind can't be any better than a couple of round axles.

 

I took mine off, I did notice that long-term highway cruising I lost ~1mpg. During normal hwy/city driving I have not seen a difference (normal routine).

 

Take it OFF!

 

Looks great!

 

Before and after photos. Took mine off first week I had the truck.

 

You'd be quite wrong on that. Tires are actually quite crappy aerodynamically, and even tiny little deflectors like this:


can make a difference, not to mention manicuring the incoming air UNDER a car or truck makes a colossal difference in drag coefficient.

Optimally none of your tire would be in the air stream, but for obvious reasons it has to be a balance because that kills clearance.

Notice this is why the GM twins puts in better mileage than the Tacoma: look at the front of it and see how low it gets to the ground and how much of the tire is covered. It's also why the GM twins are crappy offroaders compared to the Tacoma.

Anyways TL;DR it is better, but the difference is ~1 MPG or so in practical use. I currently have mine off, but when I make a 2400 mile road trip in April it is going straight back on there.
Aesthetics are up to you.

 

IMO, it looks great either way.

 

I just bought a 2017 trd sport today and seriously thinking having the dealer take it off before I take possession of the truck. I go every year where there is a steep washout and am scared to rip it off while crossing. I have a 2005 taco and have to take the receiver out of my hitch because it scrapes the ground, had my trailer plug under the bumper and ripped it off. I removed one of the plate light to relocate the trailer plug.

 

I beg owners to let me take it off their trucks.

BURN THE BRAS!!!

 

My daughters boyfriend bought a chin for his OR since he is on the highway a lot. It didn't help his looks (my opinion) or his mpg. Hopefully he takes it off.

 

For the guys that are removing it are you keeping them on hand or do you pitch them?

 

Mine is on a shelf in the garage. Not sure why, but holding on to it.. Just in case I would ever make a cross country road trip I guess

 

Until I commit to offroading heavily in the new tacoma I'll keep it on. Honestly the only people that notice it is other tacoma guys.

Most everyone else just admires the taco.. I've never got a comment about how much better my truck would look without the air dam.

 

Sits in the garage, personally looks dumb. Mileage is the same.

 

i'd say the air damn is more for wind noise. pretty sure tsb out for the trd with out the air damn for a whistle noise because of the holes in the control arms. haha pretty funny. i took my friends off. gives you much better approach angle for wheelin