MPG Mods

I have a 2006 tocoma, would like two know ,wair to get
manual locking hubs from.

 

Not available anywhere.
Do you actually understand what 'manual locking hubs' means?

 

Air Dam

 

Is that a body lift? Losing that would be the first mod.

 

3'' Spacers with long add a leafs. They add allot to the utility, so I'm going to keep them.

 

How easy to remove the air dam? You lost the lift utility with that.

Looks like you can cover most of the front fender openings with the lift.

 

You really gain efficiency with the air damn? I would've thought that smoothing out the underbody would be better.

 

Same thing really. If air can't get under, it can't cause drag. The fewer openings on the car the less air can intrude and cause issues. He'd see another step up if he dropped the damn to almost touching the ground, he'd need to stay on the track to make that feasible though. If he lowered the entire truck he would also do better, same reason. Then tiny tires saves on weight/rolling resistance/drag. Front wheel skirts have to bulge a bit since the front wheels turn, but they're doable. Pull options and interior out to save weight, don't use any electric anything ever and your mpg will go up again. Keep on and eventually you have a 1970's civic.

 

He wouldn't be displacing as much air with a smaller dam and under body plating.
More air running underneath but smoother air.

 

Hey Mikey,

I think it's great that you're trying out all sorts of things just to see how they will work. Your accurate mileage records can record even subtle changes in the aerodynamic properties of your truck. This is exactly how inventors come up with new products.

I also meant to ask, with the area between the headlights blocked off, does your engine run any hotter without that air flowing through the radiator?

Greg

 

Thanks. It is mostly blocked. I have temp gauge as one of my 8 gauges on my Ultra-Gauge and I keep it between 190-200 during operation. I've had 1 situation of in city driving while pulling a trailer where things got up to 215, but all I had to do was turn the heater on till things got moving again. I am rarely in that situation so I don't mind the occasional heater running during city trailer hauling. I would be adding blocking if I couldn't keep my temps above 190. With no blocking they seem to stay around 180, but that was when I had a clutch fan as well. I am currently running fanless and have yet to find occasion for it other than the 1 event where it would have been nicer than blasting the heater for 2 minutes while waiting for traffic to start flowing again.

 

Not too different from what GM did with the 2015 trucks. Look at the front air dam and see how low it is. I read the 4x4 can have a retractable version.
Kudos for having the guts to do it. Just left me speechless when I first saw it.

 

Hmm, that's nice. A little ugly IMO but I appreciate ingenuity when I see it! I'm talking about the Chevy's of course, I think those bumpers are way too low but again it's for the better!

I know the Platinum fords had retractable nerf bars. If someone could mod THAT... There's function without loss of MPG due to drag at high speeds. not to mention badassery. Not that they affect much though.

However, I would most likely leave them down for looks

 

Hmm retractable nerf bars, like the power steps by AMP?
Never figured it as a gas saving device, but you may be right!

Oh wow. May not be made for the Tacoma any more. Still on Amazon though.

$1,800 AMP Research PowerStep | Ergonomic, Rust-Proof Aluminum, True Flush Mount | 75142-01A | Fits 2005 - 2015 Toyota Tacoma

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0041G1E7M/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

 

I may start a storm, not sure.
Does the cleanliness of your air filter not effect your MPG?
There are those that suggest as much on the K&N debate.

 

That one guys from Hawaii has power nerf bars....Wizzard was his name? They were like 2k if I remember right...

 

Nvm on the dirty filter question. MPG.com got me both the answer, and proof the K&N debate rages on...

 

There really isn't a debate, the facts are a K&N can't improve mpg, and they don't claim it can.

All gas engines use a throttle plate that's main purpose is to restrict the air intake of the engine to control the speed and power output of the engine. That throttle plate under most driving besides wide open throttle creates way more restriction than a dirty air filter or a clean K&N.

 

Understood. I just meant the debate rages on not just in TW , but in the interspace on their merits, not efficiency. Wasn't clear.

 

Oh and btw. While that is all true, some ole' timers have to get that concept through our heads. Before DOS 3.2 came out we all used carbs & filters made a bigger difference.