Front bumper air dam

[i82much]

completely different vehicle, might not change a thing. just throwing out my previous experience without really any inkling if our trucks will see the same symptoms.

[revrnd]

Just a thought, but on my Wrangler I removed the factory air dam. I noticed:

 

(1) Increased hood flutter,

(2) Increased engine temps on long climbs up grades on hot days, and

(3) Increased fuel consumption on highway trips, particularly at high speeds.

 

I do not think (1) will be a problem on our trucks. (3) may be an issue, some will care, some will not. Those towing a really heavy trailer in hot weather may want to consider (2) carefully.

I was running around 70 on Fri' & didn't notice anything abnormal w/ the hood.

 

I doubt I'd notice much of a mileage drop w/ the amount of driving, but getting the dam torn off would probably be more noticeable to my pocket book. Also, the air dam probably only adds a bit of MPG to the truck but for GM its CAFE average would be helped considering the number of trucks sold.

[Offcamber]

Yeah zero difference on my 16 GMC. Other than fuel mileage I see no effect when I drive with the plow on, even at highway speeds...

[Offcamber]

Just a thought, but on my Wrangler I removed the factory air dam. I noticed:

 

(1) Increased hood flutter,

(2) Increased engine temps on long climbs up grades on hot days, and

(3) Increased fuel consumption on highway trips, particularly at high speeds.

 

I do not think (1) will be a problem on our trucks. (3) may be an issue, some will care, some will not. Those towing a really heavy trailer in hot weather may want to consider (2) carefully.

No offense...but this is where Jeep went horrible wrong...an air damn on a Wrangler??? The TJ model IMO was the last real Jeep.

[i82much]

No offense...but this is where Jeep went horrible wrong...an air damn on a Wrangler??? The TJ model IMO was the last real Jeep.

Not going to go too far down the rabbit hole on this, but a JK Rubicon is shockingly capable off-road, and the Pentastar is a fantastic engine.

 

From my perspective, GM reliability, particularly their gas powertrains, sold me on the 2500HD. But, if I could still get by with something the size of a Wrangler Unlimited, it would have been very tough to give up. As it stands, two kids and two dogs means I am in a crew cab pickup or something like a Tahoe for the foreseeable future.

 

Now, to bring it all back around to the thread subject, I do some light off-roading and I am interested in how difficult it is to remove the air dam temporarily. I'd personally like to retain mine and only take it off every now and again when I hit up the back woods.

[Offcamber]

There are a pile of bolts that hold it on....guessing 15 maybe....Not difficult but kind of PIA to take on and off

[revrnd]

There are a pile of bolts that hold it on....guessing 15 maybe....Not difficult but kind of PIA to take on and off

 

I'll have to look @ the air dam this afternoon. I do recall having to remove the palstic 'trim' adjacent to the bumper opening to get @ 3 screws. Not sure if this was to remove the air dam brace or the air dam itself.

[revrnd]

There are a pile of bolts that hold it on....guessing 15 maybe....Not difficult but kind of PIA to take on and off

 

 

 

If you look close @ the J nut locations, I can't see anyone wanting to remove the air dam & then re-installing it.

[i82much]

 

 

 

If you look close @ the J nut locations, I can't see anyone wanting to remove the air dam & then re-installing it.

 

Looks like the best approach is just to drive over stuff until your air dam makes your decision for you!

[Offcamber]

My gmc is different...my air dam is a separate from the piece that goes around the tow hooks.

[revrnd]

 

Looks like the best approach is just to drive over stuff until your air dam makes your decision for you!

LOL!

 

My gmc is different...my air dam is a separate from the piece that goes around the tow hooks.

Yes, a few folks have removed the air dams from their GMCs. No aftermarket piece is req'd to finish the job.

[geektoad]

Just a thought, but on my Wrangler I removed the factory air dam. I noticed:

 

(1) Increased hood flutter,

(2) Increased engine temps on long climbs up grades on hot days, and

(3) Increased fuel consumption on highway trips, particularly at high speeds.

 

I do not think (1) will be a problem on our trucks. (3) may be an issue, some will care, some will not. Those towing a really heavy trailer in hot weather may want to consider (2) carefully.

 

 

on #3, i've had the opportunity to run some long road trips back and forth to the same place before and after mods. here's what I found:

 

I-90 east bound from Chicago to Pennsylvania, bone stock, unloaded, cruise set at 72: 20mpg

I-90 east bound from Chicago to Pennsylvania, leveled 2 inches, heavier/wider 305/55 tires, airdam deleted, unloaded cruise set at 72: 19.1mpg

 

so, for 3 mods that should have an effect on fuel mileage, I lost less than one mpg? I can live with that. (yes, this is anecdotal evidence for sure, but I can only share my own experience)

[SMiller]

I take them off every vehicle I have, hate them!

[crankman]

I monitored my temps transmission and water for months during summer and winter before pulling mine and putting my winch bumper on. Did not make a bit of difference towing or not even on hottest days.

[ericwudi0830]

I was sorta considering doing this before I saw this thread. The consensus seems to be that its not worth the effort