Removing my Air Dam- Advice is appreciated

Hey fellow Tacomaworlders I'm about to try my first "mod" to the truck. I am going to remove the front air dam because I really like the look of tacomas that don't have one and I have heard the gas mileage is not affected by taking it off. Also after seeing some videos the removal doesn't look complicated at all, it just looks like you have to remove the 10mm bolts holding it on with a socket wrench. Any advice you guys have before I do this would be appreciated!

 

I was thinking about doing this as well, and placing a RCI skid plate. . .from what I have seen, the front air dam needs to be removed on the Sport model to accept the skid plate.

Looking forward to hearing some ideas!

 

10mm socket for removal. Mine was removed on the first week of ownership, so I can’t comment if MPG is affected. Don’t expect good gas milage... it is a truck !!!

 

Ngsx- I was also thinking about getting a skid plate, the TRD and RCI both look nice!

Mr-Paul-Well I don't expect much in the mpg department but I don't want to lose the one "advantage" of owning a four cylinder.

 

There are some threads around here that will counter what you 'heard'. At least for interstate driving of distances.

Yep, basic stuff.

Keep all the mounting bolts and dam safely together in case you want to put it back on.

Some folks leave it off for off road and around town. And put it on for long interstate trips.

 

Clearwater Bill- Thanks for the input! I am still going to keep the bolts and air dam together in the garage because this is mainly for driving around town which is all I do with this truck so not really going to be doing any super long distance interstate travel, maybe a 1 hour drive if I need to go pick up something etc. So if I ever need to put it back on it doesn't look too complicated either just a reverse process of taking it off.

 

Gas mileage IS affected by 1mpg according to Toyota. Hence better mileage on sport vs or.

 

Just throw a lift and some big wheels/tires on it so you don't really care about that 1MPG any more.

 

I stopped caring at 14mpg and going down as mods continue

 

just do it. looks better and im getting 27mpg!! sr5 with the 6 cyl.

 

Few bolts which can be done in the dark, really that simple.
Mileage affected depends on if your average speed is 30mph or 70mph.

 

That is in the works

 

Nice, do you drive at high speeds/commute a lot to get that mileage?

 

I would like to know as well. We have a little over 1,000 miles on ours and we are only averaging a little over 20mpg. Of course about 800 miles of that is interstate at close to 80 miles and hour and then the rest has been town or dirt roads at a pretty low speed.

 

I think it's a combination of the air dam and the extra weight the 4x4 brings. On highway trips, the air dam will have some affect but I doubt 1 mpg but could be wrong. The 19 mpg is listed as city driving vs 18 on 4x4 and 24 vs 23 on the highway. That's not all air dam.

 

I must have missed the OP saying he had a 4 cylinder.

 

don't forget the clips that the bolts screw into. i forgot when i took the air dam off one of our work trucks and now i'm missing a few.

 

Yep sr5 but with the 4 banger

 

How do you manage that? Is it down hill everywhere you go?

 

Its good you are taking it off, some people have mud bogs and water crossings take them off for them.