Removing air dam

[kristof]

That front air dam just pissing me off every time I try to do something under my truck. Will it be okay to remove it completely? It will be much easier for me to get under the truck.

 

[LateToTheParty]

That front air dam just pissing me off every time I try to do something under my truck. Will it be okay to remove it completely? It will be much easier for me to get under the truck.

Your gas mileage will go down ever so slightly due to the change in air flow. But otherwise it will look much better (in my opinion) and make access that much easier.

 

[Jarred]

I took mine off last year and haven't noticed a drop in mpg, but I don't do a lot of highway driving. I agree with LateToTheParty that it looks much better with it off. It comes off really easy too, 10 or so bolts and a few clips.

 

[jadmt]

careful you will void your warranty if you remove it.....just kidding. I agree they look better without it. I would love to know what the actual mpg difference is, not just the anecdotal I don't know notice any difference but the actual real world differences under controlled testing.

 

[kristof]

I don't think I would notice the difference since my MPG varies week by week between 12-14

 

[LateToTheParty]

careful you will void your warranty if you remove it.....just kidding. I agree they look better without it. I would love to know what the actual mpg difference is, not just the anecdotal I don't know notice any difference but the actual real world differences under controlled testing.

With my 2016, I tested every mod I ever put on using 3 tanks of gas before and after, with the exact same driving routine for all tanks (same roads, zero traffic, no hauling, etc...).

I don't recall the exact number and with a quick document search can't find my spreadsheet at the moment, but from memory it was something just above 0.1 mpg lost.

 

[kristof]

So the main purpose of that air dam is to direct air flow away from the bottom of truck , which supposedly increase MPG?

 

[whitexc]

Nothing to do with cooling?

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[jadmt]

S

So the main purpose of that air dam is to direct air flow away from the bottom of truck , which supposedly increase MPG?

Smoother air flow equals less drag. Be interesting to see wind tunnel tests with and without

 

[SBookless]

I have had mine off for months now after I installed the CJC intercooler guard in its place.

 

[Chrisminx]

I have yet to see any full replacement bumper require adding the air dam back after install.

 

[jadmt]

I have had mine of for months now after I installed the CJC intercooler guard in its place.

I need to get one ordered.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Mines 1/2 there as i had to trim the center section off for the plow mount, i will be removing it soon

 

[kristof]

Nothing to do with cooling?

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I don't think so. If I understand correctly guys with diesel engines have a intercooler installed behind that air dam and it might shield it from rocks.

 

[MooneyFWD]

Took mine off in favor of the CJC intercooler guard as well. Looks more gooder.

 

[whitexc]

I don't think so. If I understand correctly guys with diesel engines have a intercooler installed behind that air dam and it might shield it from rocks.

Hmm. I know on some vehicles that the air dam creates a negative pressure area behind the radiator for cooling. I guess I haven't looked at the new HD's enough to know if there would be any logic there.

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[John Jensen]

If you take it off I strongly suggest the CJC intercooler guard like others above have done.
I had m dam off for a while but was constantly worrying about the openly exposed intercooler so I put the dam back on.
Shortly after I heard about the CJC intercooler guard. Had I known I would have left the air dam off and installed the guard.

 

[dave41079]

I need to get one ordered.

Yes you do, and paint it to match your wheels.

I replaced mine with a CJC intercooler guard (as it sounds like a lot of people do), and my mileage went up. I doubt it has anything to do with the mod itself, but that's what happened in my unique experience.

 

[kristof]

Hmm. I know on some vehicles that the air dam creates a negative pressure area behind the radiator for cooling. I guess I haven't looked at the new HD's enough to know if there would be any logic there.

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I removed it last night. My MPG actually went up this morning . Also there are two openings right behind the license plate bracket. It looks like it might be for cooling but only if you have diesel. The engine bay from bottom is all covered with plastic trim. So I think the openings are for the intercooler from diesel.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Mine is still attached to the stock bumper, I thought it definitely should stay attached to the stock bumper.

Because the stock bumper went to scrap!

F that airdam and its flimsy bumper