So I modified the damn air dam...

The question is do you like it OP?

 

I think a lot of people underestimate just how much the air dam does. Sure, it looks like shit and doesn't help ground clearance, but it definitely does some for aerodynamics/drag reduction.

 

Paint them to look like teeth And become a legend

 

Yes, but what is this truck? A touring car, or an off road utility vehicle?*

Answer that honestly and a person would know what to do with that air dam.

*not to be confused with what people actually use their trucks for.

 

It’s not terrible IMHO, but I know it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. More of an experiment for some upcoming road trips. I haven’t had the thing on for over a year, and I thought, what the hell? See what it does, if anything.

 

Because I’m on a teacher’s salary, and it was about $200 cheaper than the one with the oil access panel.

 

Well you do have all summer to work and we wouldn't want the kids to start poking fun.

 

What do you teach?

 

Tacoma mods.....

 

aerodynamics on these trucks is highly engineered with extensive testing in a wind tunnel to achieve the best possible mpg without adversely affecting performance. Those tiny fins on the rear view mirror and the bottom of the rear bedside are said to contribute to improved mileage. And of course the air dam as well. Anything you do to these things will have some effect. So in reality a modified air dam my cause more problems than it fixes. Only way to know for sure would be with wind tunnel testing.

The difference with or without the air dam is near impossible to measure by just checking mpg variances as there are too many other factors that might be causing mpg changes. This is especially so if most driving is around town vs highway. I do the same exact driving tank full after tank full and my calculated mpgs can vary by 1 to 1.5. If you drive mostly around town, then colder temperatures, windy conditions, and extra passenger now and again, some load in the bed or just waiting extra long in a drive through line will do more to your mpgs than the air dam. Now if you do a LOT of highway driving, the air dam will no doubt get you some extra mpg. But half and air dam... not so sure.

 

Someday, if it gets in my way I will take it off- for now it doesn’t bother me at all.

 

World History after the Renaissance and AP European History

 

And you, sir, are handsome and intelligent with morals beyond reproach.

 

Yes, with a six year old I have all the time in the world!

 

6 years old?!... I used to dunk on kids that age.

 

I doubt Toyota spent much time in the wind tunnel while designing the Tacoma. There's not much they could do aerodynamically to improve fuel efficiency (save giving it the nose of the Ridgeline) and I don't think fuel efficiency was a priority. Most of those fins were added to eliminate noise and buffeting (wind vibration) caused by the design of the truck. If you've ever ridden a motorcycle with a windscreen vs one without, you'll appreciate what a wind tunnel will get you. I would assume that the air dam decisions were made in the same way to make the Sport feel more grounded at freeway speed, and not necessarily for fuel efficiency. I have an OR, and have never driven a Sport to compare the 2, but between the air dam and the different wheel/tire setup, I can imagine it feeling different behind the wheel.

OP, I'm not sure how solid your 2 piece air dam mod is, but I would be more concerned about vibration working fasteners loose in the front bumper and air dam.

 

I'm here. I'll run mine till I rip it off. If it gives me a few MPGs I'm OK with that. In USA you dam air. In mother Russia air dams you.

 

I usually only add parts to the truck as needed. Plus who knows how much propaganda is out on TW, IG and youtube as far as "you gotta add this to your truck man". But...

After damaging many stock parts you need to do the following in order to make the truck function in any sort of meaningful way without causing further damage to the truck:

-sliders / skids
-full front bumper (toss that wind dam in the trash and more stock things will be sawed off!)
-High clear rear bumper (more sawing !)
-off road lights/bar (you can't see shit without them)
-2.5" shocks all around (hitting the bumps stops all the time can't be good for the frame / moral).

I have scraped the shit out of the wind dam, flaps , tow hitch , rocker and front bumper enough to have finally given and done it right .

 

I'm having such a hard time deciding whether you're joking or not. (Well done!)

 

Well I offer. FF to minute 4:20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9uJ2zCkZKA