2016 Air Dam Discussion.

So, yeah I agree nobody drives in a wind tunnel. LOL. Like you said, it's simple fluid flow. On one hand you say it doesn't matter because of crosswinds, butterflies fluttering nearby on the side of the road, etc, and then it's simple fluid flow.

How about we just say in general it is designed to reduce turbulent airflow that cause losses and noise. It was probably designed with a combination of models AND tested in a wind tunnel to fine tune it. Again, I'm giving Toyota engineers the benefit of assuming they are not dummies who just stick things on the front end for fun. There was probably a requirement or goal driving its design.

The resulting improvements it provides are probably small (and dependent on the environment you are driving in, I agree), and if you don't like the way it looks, yank it. I'm personally interested in hearing results of people's own testing and comparisons with it on/off. But I guess I'd be skeptical if everyone determined it made zero difference.

 

You're right. The v6 autos all have the same fuel economy across trims, but the manuals don't.

 

Never had it, but is seems about as useless as the hood scoop

 

Yes, I think the difference would be bigger in your silver (or any color other than black) truck. I think yours would look way better without it.

 

If you put the air dam back on after your second test it would confirm or refute any question of break in. That's ABA testing if I remember correctly.

Yes, the air dam undoubtedly improves mpg. Not in all instances but in some. It certainly will not decrease mpg in any circumstance. Toyota spent R&D time and money on it and equipped it. I don't think it looks bad but that's just my opinion.

I think it does need to be recognized that the dam is designed to only minimally reduce clearance and approach angle. It's not as if they stuck a streetsweeper on the front like other trucks. If you hit that dam on anything offroad, you probably would have hit your bumper anyway.

 

Am I the only one that thinks the trucks look better with the air dam on?

 

The aero fins/vortex generators increase stability, the front air dam helps manage air flow under the truck, and the seal between the cab and bed reduce noise.

 

What fins and generators? Where are these? What seal?

I'm attempting to reduce my own road noise without laying 50 lbs of dynamat, or any. I see the doors as the biggest area for improvement.

 

Sorry, I should have elaborated. I know he's talking about 3rd Gen but the only flow control devices I've seen are the air dam and the tailgate. I know the 2nd Gen doesn't have any of that.

Can you explain these generators? What do they look like physically and how do they work? I also didnt know of a seal between the cab and bed? If anyone could take a picture of their door seals that would be a big help since I'm trying to quiet my cab. You could nearly stick your finger in the cab through the closed door of a 2nd gen.

Since I won't be buying buying a new truck for a long time I tend to change things about this one instead of buying what I need. I am also trying to reduce drag along with wind noise. The two go hand in hand for the most part.

 

OP, you seem to be trying to convince yourself that removing the air dam won't hurt your mpg, because you don't like the way it looks.

It will hurt your mpg, especially when driving 65+ mph.

 

This was tonight, in town, driving at 40-45 mph. I'm doing 23-24 MPG most of the time.
No air dam.

 

My air dam is going back on tomorrow. I just need to trim it for my tires.

 

Interesting. Post some pictures when you do.

 

This morning, highway miles, at about 65mph.
No air dam.

 

I will get pics later. Air dam is back on and I do feel a hear a little difference. I have less wind noise under the truck and my mpg average went up .1 to .2. Not sure yet is that's a direct relation.

 

I've been driving my DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 for three months. The majority of my driving is done on a congested hwy that runs through the pan handle. In those three months, I've averaged 19.8mpg. I took my air dam off last week and have seen a noticible difference in my gas mileage. I'm averaging closer to 18.9mpg. Ride still feels the same.

With that said, the truck looks so much meaner without the dam. I like it. Once I find a skid plate that I like, I plan on installing it. That should help with underbody aerodynamics and should bring up the mpg slightly.

 

Skid plate is the opposite of the air dam, it won't help.

 

Another 10 miles at 50-55mph.

 

I'll have to report back once I get it on and test the mpg. There're been many posts about skids helping, so I'm unsure.

I'd think it would smooth the direction of the air as it passes under the truck, lessening cabin noise, reduce drag, and help mpg slightly. The weight would oppose the benefit... But overall I expect a slight bump in mpg.

I'll have to let everyone know how it goes... I was gonna pick up a skid from BPF, but they don't communicate too well with customers through email. So I'm no longer motivated to give them money... Soon enough there will be a ton of options, so no worries.

 

That's insane. I haven't been able to maintain anything over 24.5, even when I was trying intentionally. I can only imagine you get flipped off a lot as it's probably taking you 5 min to reach 50mph! Hahaha!