Trimmed the front air dam

If you’re going to trim the air dam for looks, you have to trim enough off to actually change the look:





It’s hardly noticeable most of the time, and no funny noises or drop in mpg:

 

Why not just take the whole thing off. What's the purpose of it anyway? Doesnt that create more drag? Looks better without imo.

 

Pervert!

 

In my case, I pulled the air dam off and ran that way for a while. I began to notice some wind noise around 25-30 mph. It sounded like the LCA howl that some 3rd gen owners were reporting. I figured I’d try trimming the air dam and put it back on- nothing to lose. With the trimmed air dam back on, the wind noise went away and it covered up all the exposed bits. That crap, the crossmember, splash shield (skid), tow hook, etc... doesn’t look all that great either. It looks unfinished to my eye without something down there.

 

Off roads have a skid plate that covers the crap. I took mine off and didn’t like that shit exposed either so I trimmed the dam and put it back.

 

Looks great man! Nice, clean cut. You do you dude.

 

The lower control arms become ocarinas with a bit of lift after removing the lower dam. I was stumped for a good while trying to figure out what the heck that noise was.

 

I agree with the unfinished look, that's been my hesitation for removal.
I really like the way yours looks and think I'll be doing the same. Thanks for posting!

 

One of the first things I did as soon as I got my SR. The only reason for trimming it and not just removing it is that it looks cleaner to me along the center, fronting the skid. I took it off and looked at it for a bit and decided to trim it.

 

I like it. Nice work. The thing I don’t like about the air dam is the angle. It’s sloped back which looks odd to me. I took mine off. I may consider trimming it .

 

Once this 2 year toyota care is done, that air dam is history. If anything its going to make oil changes easier.

 

Just remove it. It'll get knocked off on practically any trail or wheeling you plan on doing.

 

Remove it is the best option.

 

Would you be able to take some side shots? I am thinking of trimming mine too, mainly because I hate how it curves back towards the tire from the side. I don't mind the front view so much and I do like how it hides the front suspension parts.

 

Try taking it off and see what you think before modifying it more.

 

I'll take some more pics later this afternoon, and get them posted. You want a side angle?

 

See pics below. When you take off the spoiler, and look behind it, you'll see a form line on the lower edge. I simply cut that with a carpenters knife, then palm sanded smooth.

 

Perfect. This angle is what I was looking for. Much appreciated.

 

Happy to help. I feel like the look is slimmer, without tinkering too much with aero properties.

 

Honestly, I think this has happened to all of three people. You do you, but I’ve been trying to tear mine off for three years and it just flexes and pops back while the brush guards get thrashed from dropping the truck on rocks and stumps. And I’ve hit a lot of stuff because I can’t pick a line to save my life.