Do I need this on my offroad taco?

I havent noticed any difference with the air dam. I would like to believe toyota put it on for a reason. Doesnt feel anymore stable either.

 

"Aesthetics" and a marketing scheme of "better aerodynamics" that in the real world don't translate very well to increased mpg.

 

Yes... California...

 

Yes ... I have a shackle in that location and I believe it will work with the air dam I just couldn't stand looking at that "air dam" any more... OP you could have asked folks here and gotten one free I bet. There where the tow hook is there's the place to mount the shackle mount - throw that useless tow hook in the bin along with the air dam! Notice the rubber grommets on the shackle there... keeps it from rattling. FTW

 

Had it on


Had it off



My little SR5 just didn't look right without the dam, so I put it back. A skid plate would have remedied the aesthetic issue for me, but then I am just adding weight and getting a double negative against my fuel efficiency. I read this http://media.gmc.com/media/us/en/gm...news/us/en/2013/May/0516-gmc-pickup-aero.html about the 2014 GMC Sierra and decided to reinstall the dam. The dam will reduce noise and increase mpg by preventing air from dragging the rough underside of the truck.

The dam will not work properly on lifted trucks, but those cats are not concerned with improving mpg.


I say keep it because it will save some cash over time and it looks good to.

 

I did a before and after on my '14 Silverado with and without the air dam with in an hour of each other. 40 miles, locked at 70 mph on cruise, turned out to be a 1.2 mpg difference. Using the previous math of 1 mpg over 8k miles saving $37, do that over the life of the truck (lets just say 120k) and figure half that because it doesn't make much a difference in city situations. So that $37 in 8k at 120k turns in to $550 savings based strictly at highway speeds. Figure half that for 50/50 city/hwy driving and you save $277.50 over 120k (more if it is mostly highway driving). Doesn't sound like much until you figure that is maybe a few months worth of gas, or maybe the cost of some accessories, few new pairs of shoes or for me at my gym rate that is almost 10 months of free gym time and so on...

I am a big proponent of having these easily removable (think less than 30 seconds) because honestly most rarely see dirt or of road and if they do it is a couple percent of the actual time the truck is driving. Not to mention this makes a what, 3 degree difference in approach angle? Of those even less would actually hit it or tear it off. Who doesn't want to save money? Every little bit helps, except those who are image conscious and only think about how something looks and they think it magically makes them look tougher...

Going off the Altas concept from a few years ago it had a motorized one that went up and down. A motor I dislike that idea as it could easily get broken and stop working, but maybe a spring loaded dam that clips down and when hit hard enough pops up behind the bumper, or a person can go pull two pins and it retracts up would be ideal. Less motors out in the dirt and elements to fail is a plus. I like the idea of active air vents but they already get stuck and stop working, on a truck or something that sees dirt, much, ect making manual stuff that aren't motorized is preferred.

Tyler

 

Shackle mounts are cool, but they are definitely not better enough to warrant calling the TRD tow hook useless. Compared to the non TRD passenger side loop yes, but that TRD hook is super stout and if you already have one there is very little reason to upgrade to a shackle mount. There are better ways to spend that money.

 

Shackles increase my mall cred. Therefore, I want shackles.

 

I use my truck to move disabled cars at work. Shackles are much easier to use IMO. I can shorten the strap, and also don't have to worrry about the strap slipping off the hook.

 

I wasn't gonna say it...

Also leaving them on around town is a great way to get them swiped. I shake my head every time I see it. I've seen people ask about securing/locking them to the car so they don't get stolen. If only there was a way to easily take it off and store it in with the spare tire...

 

Then again, you'd be shocked how much a little piece of lockwire will stop most thieves. Then again, I don't worry much about locking my tailgate or towhitch, either.

 

So you are going on an 8K mile trip and you don't want to take your OR into the wilderness?

 

I absolutely want to take my OR into the wilderness. I just wanted to save on gas and still be able to go offroading. I know the sport has the dam and still very capable offroading.

Plus Im new to offroading so most likely taking the rookie trails.

 

Have fun and be safe out there.