Does my Tacoma need this?

Been to Weston many times including the brewery even before it became a brewery. That place is really cool with tons of history. Ive never taken the route you mentioned so next time I go Im headed your route. Thanks again!

 

The approach angle is the same with the air dam and without. There was a pretty good video on it on youtube.

 

The air damn found under the front bumper of the new Tacoma also aids in reducing drag and improving aerodynamics, but Toyota says it will feature a class-best 29 degree approach angle. The TRD Off-Road model won’t feature the air damn, and therefore it will have an even greater approach angle at 32 degrees. (maybe I remembered wrong but I still think you would be ok with leaving it)

 

If you have a ranch, take it off

 

Toyota reports drag characteristics to EPA in the form of ABC coefficients (i.e. Drag = A + Bv + Cvv). They report higher C coefficients for off-road than others (C theoretically being aero drag).

At 75 mph, changing the reported C coefficient yields a difference of ~12 lbs force (~4% of total drag).

At 45 mph, the difference is only ~4lbs (~3% of total).

4% at 75 would be right around 1 mpg; so, someone please give me their air dam.

 

These people aren't interested in theory, aerodynamics, drag coefficients, etc. And thats fine.
We lift these trucks, put big tires on them, and wonder why mileage takes a hit.
Race cars take the front of the car right to the ground. Looks like a dam, while in reality its stopping the creation of turbulence, which creates drag. Drag is resistance. Undermines performance.
Little of this makes much difference in the slow speeds we operate at.
Take them off. Unless you live for speed, not a truck environment.

 

Ha! Stupid me should have known you've been there.

 

Took mine off at 5,000 miles. 2,000 miles later, no change in MPG. Qualifier: I rarely exceed 65 mph on the freeway and I'm not driving through the plain states with a head wind. The truck looks better going braless.

 

Get rid of it

 

OP, for what it is worth GM gets hammered on their low hanging front air dams (they deserve all the criticism and more) and they use the same arguments that it aids in engine cooling and improves mpg. MotorTrend did a long term review of a Colorado and got sick of it and took it off. They drove several thousands miles and the end result is that it made no detectable mpg difference and it didn't matter with regards to cooling. I'm not sure about the Taco but I'm sure they are saying it aids in mpgs (even though the OR doesn't have it and is rated the same) but take it off and see for yourself. I have an OR and notice no difference over my previous Sport, which had it. They look better without it in my opinion so take it off and enjoy your truck. If you want it back on then put it back on and enjoy it.