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I have a 9th gen so no air dam but my other 2 newer non ford vehicles have air dams. They are designed to help with aerodynamics to improve MPG and cooling as well as make you grit your teeth and cuss when you take a steep angle of approach and drag it across the road surface.
Last edited by docdoom1986; Feb 24, 2021 at 10:26 PM.
Went through this a few months ago. From what other posters told me, it is for better fuel economy but that is only really true if the truck is at stock height. I'm not an expert but that is what I was told. I trimmed mine to the top indention after I got a 2.5" level and 34's and my mpg has gone way down, but my computer hasn't been recalibrated so idk what the real mpg loss is. As of now it went from 18.5 avg to like 15.5 avg but I honestly think its the level and tires and not the air dam. Either way, if you are worried about it, you can take it off really easily and drive around for a while and see what the mpg looks like and if its bad you can put it back on. Just don't cut the clips off the truck unless you're ready to not have one (although it would probably still stay on with just the bolts). Plus I don't think the air dams/valence whatever, is too expensive to buy a new one if you were to trim it and not like it, I didn't want to cut the clips off.
What ever the reason it is there, it is easy to remove and put back on, 5 minutes with a electric socket driver. Find out for yourself what it does if anything, take it off and drive the truck a few weeks without it on.
I will say mine made no noticed difference on or off. I did like the look somewhat but not as big so I trimmed mine down by 1 1/2+ inches and put it back on.
KM
Last edited by 2017bluetruck; Feb 25, 2021 at 10:39 AM.
How much does it 'assist' in MPG and cooling? Well just enough that Ford installs them to meet criteria asked of auto manufacturers.
Ultimately, if you wish to remove it you'll be happy to know that 10 minutes in the garage with a 10mm socket (I think it's 10) without ever overheating or going broke at the pump.
Went through this a few months ago. From what other posters told me, it is for better fuel economy but that is only really true if the truck is at stock height. I'm not an expert but that is what I was told. I trimmed mine to the top indention after I got a 2.5" level and 34's and my mpg has gone way down, but my computer hasn't been recalibrated so idk what the real mpg loss is. As of now it went from 18.5 avg to like 15.5 avg but I honestly think its the level and tires and not the air dam. Either way, if you are worried about it, you can take it off really easily and drive around for a while and see what the mpg looks like and if its bad you can put it back on. Just don't cut the clips off the truck unless you're ready to not have one (although it would probably still stay on with just the bolts). Plus I don't think the air dams/valence whatever, is too expensive to buy a new one if you were to trim it and not like it, I didn't want to cut the clips off.
Not that anyone that has lifted a truck has conducted specific measurements before and after to know it doesn't help fuel economy on a lifted truck...
As stated in many posts, the savings in fuel, across nearly 1 million trucks sold per year, is huge. The savings for 1 truck may not be easily measured.
It provides a smooth edge for initial airflow going under the truck. I remember during the gasoline wars (not science fiction, the mid to late 1970’s), Popular Science magazine ran tests on various cost effective options to increase MPG. IIRC, maintaining tire air pressure or slightly increasing it came in first, air dams came in second, to actually increase MPG. The closer the air dam was to the road surface, the better it worked. Likely why the F150 2wd has a easily noticed larger air dam. Expected to be off road rarely, not needing the ground clearance of the 4x4.
no doubt, but I would imagine that the air dam is carefully crafted from the factory after much testing to fit with the stock height and metrics. As I said I don't know for sure but that was what I was told here when I asked about it. However, there's no real harm in tracking your mpg in a regular driving week then taking it off and driving your routine for another week and comparing. Honestly, while everyone wants the best mpg, driving a full size gas truck you sorta go into the fight with a hand tied behind your back from the start.
It provides a smooth edge for initial airflow going under the truck. I remember during the gasoline wars (not science fiction, the mid to late 1970’s), Popular Science magazine ran tests on various cost effective options to increase MPG. IIRC, maintaining tire air pressure or slightly increasing it came in first, air dams came in second, to actually increase MPG. The closer the air dam was to the road surface, the better it worked. Likely why the F150 2wd has a easily noticed larger air dam. Expected to be off road rarely, not needing the ground clearance of the 4x4.
Not quite that simple, 2wd and 4wd with the same air dam. Yes I have seen even deeper dams. But by and large the versions local to me all look the same.
The photo shows my 2017 XL: 2wd air dam before trimming, and a 2019 4wd. KM
Last edited by 2017bluetruck; Feb 25, 2021 at 03:34 PM.
