Chin spoiler helps with cooling, yes/no

Not entirely true. Most skid plates won't fit with the dam in place, so If you want to add say a TRD Skid plate it's got to come off.

 

And ironically, all are rated for the same gas mileage!

 

That’s true. Some cut the spoiler to let the skid plate poke through

 

But why?

 

Can’t answer that. The universe contains many mysteries.

 

No you can make it work

I did, look at post #5

After 6 months with it off i just didn't like the way the wheels stuck out, to much rubber from the front view.

Yep i did need to talk myself into doing it.

 

I bit the bullet and decided to try the air dam. I really like my trd skid plate but ultimately wanted to see if the truck is less “floaty” with the air dam on. Is it odd? Yes. Is it ugly with both? Yes. But I used pannex quarter turn fasteners so it comes on and off in a few mins - so I’ll only use it when towing.

I’ve been driving around to see if I notice anything difference and have to say so far it’s minimal. Maybe a touch of straighline stability. No real noticeable mpg increase l. Will see how it goes when I’m hooked up and towing this weekend.

If it ends up being much better I will likely sell the skid and switch over to the air dam (new one) for good.

 

You’ll need to be running highway miles for the air dam to make much a difference, and even then I think it’s like a 0.5-1mpg improvement max.

 

Your post is 100% correct if we were on a different planet. On earth? Not so much.

 

I'm going to borrow this .. LMAO

 

The chin spoiler gives the 3rd gen that mid 80's pick-up look.

 

what's your definition of overheating?? how hot does your trans get?

 

Had mine on for about a year and off it went with a pro skid plate. Noticed no difference in the way the vehicle handled, gas mileage or running hot. It's simple as this,if you don't like it take it off, the pro and or both have it off so Toyota must have put some thinking into it. Take the shit off and don't look back.

 

Let's face it. Toyota would not put a not so pretty chin spoiler on the Tacoma if it did not serve a function.

 

Maybe.

I honestly did not notice any difference when I took mine off. Same mpg, wind noise, and drivability. I did notice that it looks way better and you can actually go off-road now.

 

About 1 minute in, the Toyota engineer talks about the air dam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FutBBbglZvo