Shaving down the front air dam.

Driver72 · October 31, 2016

One thing I've noticed about the GMC is the front air dam hangs quite low for a 4x4 truck.

I'm sure it's relatively easy to remove it all together but I don't really want to do that.

So was wondering if anybody knows of a DIY video or guide to successfully shaving down the front air dam so it's uniform all the way across and not hanging down an extra two inches on the 1/3rd of each side of the front.

Or....anybody find an aftermarket shorter one that bolts in place of the stock low one?

Thanks

Sean Neilan · October 31, 2016

You don't need a video. You need a pencil and a sawzall. But it would be easier to cut after removal anyway. One of the mags also thought it silly to have the air dam on the Z71/All terrain trucks so compared the mpg and found it about 1-2 less without the air dam. I plan on taking mine off when I put my leveling kit in.

Gilisfloyd · October 31, 2016

One thing I've noticed about the GMC is the front air dam hangs quite low for a 4x4 truck.

I'm sure it's relatively easy to remove it all together but I don't really want to do that.

So was wondering if anybody knows of a DIY video or guide to successfully shaving down the front air dam so it's uniform all the way across and not hanging down an extra two inches on the 1/3rd of each side of the front.

Or....anybody find an aftermarket shorter one that bolts in place of the stock low one?

Thanks

I've trimmed it on my last truck and new truck. Ran tape along the creased part of it, and used a dremel to cut it. TBH, it wasn't the easiest thing, had to use a palm sander to clean the edge up. The dremel seamed to melt the plastic more than cut it. I'm sure somebody else has found a better method, but it still came out good I think....

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smrr1 · October 31, 2016

I've trimmed it on my last truck and new truck. Ran tape along the creased part of it, and used a dremel to cut it. TBH, it wasn't the easiest thing, had to use a palm sander to clean the edge up. The dremel seamed to melt the plastic more than cut it. I'm sure somebody else has found a better method, but it still came out good I think....

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Any chance you can post a pic from a little further out including the entire truck?

Driver72 · October 31, 2016

I've trimmed it on my last truck and new truck. Ran tape along the creased part of it, and used a dremel to cut it. TBH, it wasn't the easiest thing, had to use a palm sander to clean the edge up. The dremel seamed to melt the plastic more than cut it. I'm sure somebody else has found a better method, but it still came out good I think....

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Now THAT'S what I'm talking about.

That's exactly what I'd like to do and how it should look.

You shouldn't have to worry about scraping up the front air dam on curb stops or slight inclines on a 4x4 truck with "off road package".

Maybe I'll find someone who is adept at using a sawsall or similar and sanding it down for me.

As you stated, it might be a PITA for me to do and not worth it over just paying someone a Ben or two, to do it for me.

Thanks

Bayou-AllTerrain · November 2, 2016

Just ditch it all together!!! So much easier and looks better in my opinion, but that's just me.

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Ray1982 · November 3, 2016

I trimmed mine with a razor knife on the Chevy it has lines in it I just picked one and went for it. I took 2" off at work one night so I got paid to do it. My truck is not leveled yet. I can get 22mpg on the highway in other words no change in mileage.

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GRN69CHV · November 3, 2016

Just did mine. Even with the 1" front end lift, mine would still snag a curb (or curb stop) on occasion. Passenger side had a nice cut and was looking ragged Cut mine with a pair of hand snips. All of a 5 minute job. On the Chevy, just cut at top of the lower line. Removes 1-1/4". .

Driver72 · November 3, 2016

How did you make it smooth and nice looking with just using hand snip cutters?

Did you use sand paper or a hand sander to smooth it out?

I don't want to take it all the way off to be honest, it looks like it's missing something when it's totally gone.

GRN69CHV · November 3, 2016

How did you make it smooth and nice looking with just using hand snip cutters?

Did you use sand paper or a hand sander to smooth it out?

I don't want to take it all the way off to be honest, it looks like it's missing something when it's totally gone.

Was pretty easy. It's more like a vinyl than a plastic, it is flexible and cuts easily. Had a couple nubs, hit those with a file.

amxguy1970 · November 3, 2016

Seriously OP, pay someone $100-$200 to trim a piece of plastic for ya? Shoot I would do it for that. You are making it way more complicated than it is. Figure out how you want it, run a piece of tape and cut. A dremel or cutoff wheel as others noted probably spins too fast and would melt some. I used a reciprocating saw with a plastic blade as my brother runs a pool business and is very good with that, nice clean cut with no melting and straight. Was going to use sand paper to clean it up but it looks good and it is a valence, no one sees it close and it will get some more scraps so who cares.

I trimmed mine while it was off as I didn't like the look off or the highway MPG hit I took. It is flimsy off, since it is so rigid while bolted on I would say it would be easier to trim while on the truck as it won't flex much. Honestly, tape a line you like and cut it, then a little sand paper and boom, done. Doesn't need to be a 100% precise because of where it is or what it does or get hit with...

Tyler

Driver72 · November 4, 2016

I'll take a closer look at it soon and see what I can do. I have some tin snips and a dremel, and honestly a hack saw too, along with a sander if need be. But based on what you guys are saying, I shouldn't have a problem.

Thanks

sirooga · November 4, 2016

I got my dremel multi tool all ready to cut off that lower air dam, turned it on and started to cut and it slipped right thru! FYI if you have a 2016 it just has about 8 bolts to take it off. No cutting needed. Haha guess I should look first.

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Driver72 · November 4, 2016

I have a 2017 GMC Sierra SLT 4x4

Haven't really looked that closely at how it's mounted on, but one of the first things I noticed was how low down the front air damn was.

Shaving off an inch or two would really help I'm sure.

Thanks

GRN69CHV · November 4, 2016

This is all I used, use red handle (left snips) to cut from right to left, use green handle (right snips ) to cut from left to right. Cut is so clean it looks like a factory edge. Between 1" front end lift and cutting the air dam, truck looks like it has a 2" front end lift now when viewed head on, much more aggressive looking.