Air Dam Removal Complete!
The following users liked this post:
jedeckert1984 (03-10-2014)
08-11-2013, 10:49 PM
#103
Air dams on some vehicles are there to prevent lift. At higher speeds, (yes all relative for weight of the vehicle), as you go faster and air flows under the vehicle, you start to float. This causes the vehicle's front end to get light and start to lift, causing loss of steering/ground contact. The corvette, and many other race cars, has wheels developed to act as fans that literally help suck some of that air out from under the vehicle to maintain ground contact with the wheels. In many instances the vehicle's top speed is only limited by how much lift that vehicle creates to diminish ground contact, thus causing steering issues. Think of it like hydroplaning with no water. You can have a 6000 pound truck, but if your tires are bald, you're going to hydroplane at a certain speed over water. Same thing with air.
I can guarantee you there is a physical reason for the "dam" under our trucks. Some part of it might be for directing air upwards and some part of it might be for directing air away form the undercarriage. Like others have posted,I think most would agree, it sure as hell ain't there for looks. If they could eliminate it and save a few bucks I am sure they would.
Read this here. It explains some basic lift issues: https://aprperformance.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=174&Item id=44
Again I know we are driving trucks, but the same rules apply!
Here is an explanation of rear diffusers. Again not as important on a truck, but same rules apply.
http://aprperformance.com/index.php?...d=69&Itemid=47
I can guarantee you there is a physical reason for the "dam" under our trucks. Some part of it might be for directing air upwards and some part of it might be for directing air away form the undercarriage. Like others have posted,I think most would agree, it sure as hell ain't there for looks. If they could eliminate it and save a few bucks I am sure they would.
Read this here. It explains some basic lift issues: https://aprperformance.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=174&Item id=44
Again I know we are driving trucks, but the same rules apply!
Here is an explanation of rear diffusers. Again not as important on a truck, but same rules apply.
http://aprperformance.com/index.php?...d=69&Itemid=47
Yeah buddy, trust me 60 miles per hour is enough wind force to move you truck side to side.
08-11-2013, 11:00 PM
#104
I put mine back on after about 5k miles without it.
Truck is more stable and quieter on the highway with it back on again. Mostly 65-80mph speeds in this area. Surprised I noticed a difference to be honest with you, but mine is staying on.
Just my two cents.
Truck is more stable and quieter on the highway with it back on again. Mostly 65-80mph speeds in this area. Surprised I noticed a difference to be honest with you, but mine is staying on.
Just my two cents.
Last edited by 1fifty; 08-11-2013 at 11:04 PM.
08-11-2013, 11:08 PM
#105
Your All Wrong!
Wow! I've never seen 9 pages of such wrongheadedness before on the web. Aerodynamics this, off-road that.... Boy are you guys overthinking this.
First let me paraphrase the only true statements in this whole dialog. (1)The F150 has the aerodynamics of a brick. (2)Ford wouldn't put $0.10 worth of parts on a vehicle without a good reason. So what is the air deflector for?
For those of you that have not already removed yours lets try a simple observation. First, squat down in front of truck and observe. Notice that the dam does not run the full width of the truck. It's barely the width of the frame. Also notice that the dam flairs back at each end. What it's flairing towards, and forcing air to, is your front brakes! Not important for off-roading or padding around town but if you are at max payload or at full towing capacity you might appreciate a little extra brake cooling on that six mile 8% downgrade. And God help you if there's any major bends in the road. The F150 is a truck. Think truck first!
Class is over.
First let me paraphrase the only true statements in this whole dialog. (1)The F150 has the aerodynamics of a brick. (2)Ford wouldn't put $0.10 worth of parts on a vehicle without a good reason. So what is the air deflector for?
For those of you that have not already removed yours lets try a simple observation. First, squat down in front of truck and observe. Notice that the dam does not run the full width of the truck. It's barely the width of the frame. Also notice that the dam flairs back at each end. What it's flairing towards, and forcing air to, is your front brakes! Not important for off-roading or padding around town but if you are at max payload or at full towing capacity you might appreciate a little extra brake cooling on that six mile 8% downgrade. And God help you if there's any major bends in the road. The F150 is a truck. Think truck first!
Class is over.
Last edited by CEHansen; 08-11-2013 at 11:11 PM.
08-11-2013, 11:19 PM
#106
Wow! I've never seen 9 pages of such wrongheadedness before on the web. Aerodynamics this, off-road that.... Boy are you guys overthinking this.
First let me paraphrase the only true statements in this whole dialog. (1)The F150 has the aerodynamics of a brick. (2)Ford wouldn't put $0.10 worth of parts on a vehicle without a good reason. So what is the air deflector for?
For those of you that have not already removed yours lets try a simple observation. First, squat down in front of truck and observe. Notice that the dam does not run the full width of the truck. It's barely the width of the frame. Also notice that the dam flairs back at each end. What it's flairing towards, and forcing air to, is your front brakes! Not important for off-roading or padding around town but if you are at max payload or at full towing capacity you might appreciate a little extra brake cooling on that six mile 8% downgrade. And God help you if there's any major bends in the road. The F150 is a truck. Think truck first!
Class is over.
First let me paraphrase the only true statements in this whole dialog. (1)The F150 has the aerodynamics of a brick. (2)Ford wouldn't put $0.10 worth of parts on a vehicle without a good reason. So what is the air deflector for?
For those of you that have not already removed yours lets try a simple observation. First, squat down in front of truck and observe. Notice that the dam does not run the full width of the truck. It's barely the width of the frame. Also notice that the dam flairs back at each end. What it's flairing towards, and forcing air to, is your front brakes! Not important for off-roading or padding around town but if you are at max payload or at full towing capacity you might appreciate a little extra brake cooling on that six mile 8% downgrade. And God help you if there's any major bends in the road. The F150 is a truck. Think truck first!
Class is over.
People who do rip random things of their truck to "improve" something truly have no clue to what they are doing.
08-12-2013, 12:34 AM
#107
Senior Member
CEHansen ... (1)The F150 has the aerodynamics of a brick.
.
The following 2 users liked this post by gDMJoe:
Grandpa's Grocery Getter (08-12-2013),
sigma pi (04-23-2015)
08-12-2013, 07:14 PM
#109
Senior Member
How it is going to direct airflow through a solid piece of plastic. Look at where is is mounted. The grill is where the air for the radiator and ac condenser comes from. The air dam is designed to displace the air and provide less drag. Thus increasing the fuel efficiency of the truck.