Lower air dam

[sbatzold]

Looking at my nieghbors '04 Z71 and his son's Z71, neither have the lower air dam on their bumper, both came new from dealer that way. My '05 has it and so do a few others I've seen. Why do some have it and some don't. Check picture to see what I'm talking about. In the pictures there is the chrome bumper the plastic valance the fog lights are in, than the lower air dam I'm asking about.

 

 

[bagged02]

Looking at my nieghbors '04 Z71 and his son's Z71, neither have the lower air dam on their bumper, both came new from dealer that way. My '05 has it and so do a few others I've seen. Why do some have it and some don't. Check picture to see what I'm talking about. In the pictures there is the chrome bumper the plastic valance the fog lights are in, than the lower air dam I'm asking about.

 

 

 

 

ive never noticed that..weird

[redvett]

On the 4x4 it was OEM starting in 05 for fuel economy. My 04 didnt have it but i added the air dam and the enclosures behind the tow hooks.

[Camarofanman]

On the 4x4 it was OEM starting in 05 for fuel economy. My 04 didnt have it but i added the air dam and the enclosures behind the tow hooks.

 

redvette,did it help economy any? are these on 2500 as well? i got my 03 used,only has 33k on it but it sits level, has painted flares, maybe it was taken off?

 

how much did the valance and enclosoures cost?

[Big Whiskey]

I took mine off my 2006. I turned up the torsion bars, put on some 285's, and took the lower valance off. Makes it look like my dad's 2500HD from the front. I parked it next to my friend's bone stock 2005 and it looks so much better...imo. I didn't have it on long enough to tell a difference in mileage, just did it for looks.

[Silverado4x4]

That was the first thing I took off my 2007.5 nbs, gas milage or not it came off, made it look to low to the ground for a 4x4

[redvett]

The MFR's are required to increase the fuel efficiency 4% every year on any vehicle under 8600gvw. The lower air dam and the air pockets in the tow hooks along with the charging management with gear ratios (higher) & electric cooling fans resulted in a HWY increase of 1MPG starting in 2005.

Yes with the air dam and pocket deflectors i saw an increase. I now average 17 cty/hwy and yesterday towed trailer loaded #5500 lbs 150 mi and still haven't averaged below 16.7mpg.

[cymmgarcia]

redvette,

 

I already added the lower air dam, but I'm also interested in the tow hook air pockets. Do you have a part # and price for them? Any up close pictures of your set up?

 

I'm running 275/60/17 rubber, so all the mileage I can gain back is appreciated!

 

Thanks,

 

Candido

[HawkeyeOC]

The 2500's won't have them. One of the first things I took off was that air dam when I got home from the dealer. They should not be on a 4wd but at least you have the option to take them off if you don't want it on. I didn't notice a difference in mpg when I took mine off, but I am sure it helps some.

[USA1Fan]

There's nothing wrong with the lower air dam on a 4wd, so long as your use of it doesn't require the extra ground clearance. And before anyone else chimes in, not all people need 4x4 for rock climbing and mud slinging. Some of us use it for slick roads and light off-road areas, boat ramps, etc. It's still needed, just not for the same reasons. So the air dam isn't a big issue so long as it doesn't interfere with what you're using your truck for.

[redvett]

redvette,

 

I already added the lower air dam, but I'm also interested in the tow hook air pockets. Do you have a part # and price for them? Any up close pictures of your set up?

 

I'm running 275/60/17 rubber, so all the mileage I can gain back is appreciated!

 

Thanks,

 

Candido

 

I got the tow hook pockets way back in 7/04 when they were released and dont have a P/N but i will take a picture in a day or so after the rain stops.

[HawkeyeOC]

There's nothing wrong with the lower air dam on a 4wd, so long as your use of it doesn't require the extra ground clearance. And before anyone else chimes in, not all people need 4x4 for rock climbing and mud slinging. Some of us use it for slick roads and light off-road areas, boat ramps, etc. It's still needed, just not for the same reasons. So the air dam isn't a big issue so long as it doesn't interfere with what you're using your truck for.

 

Point well taken. In my case I need the extra ground clearance on large construction sites where road conditions (or even lack of roads) is a problem sometimes. I actually get to use the skid plates sometimes, but most don't need that capability. The air dam actually hangs down lower than the skid plates do.

[mjager]

There's nothing wrong with the lower air dam on a 4wd, so long as your use of it doesn't require the extra ground clearance. And before anyone else chimes in, not all people need 4x4 for rock climbing and mud slinging. Some of us use it for slick roads and light off-road areas, boat ramps, etc. It's still needed, just not for the same reasons. So the air dam isn't a big issue so long as it doesn't interfere with what you're using your truck for.

 

Point well taken. In my case I need the extra ground clearance on large construction sites where road conditions (or even lack of roads) is a problem sometimes. I actually get to use the skid plates sometimes, but most don't need that capability. The air dam actually hangs down lower than the skid plates do.

 

 

So is there any downside to taking it off altogether, I'm a bit confused...

[HawkeyeOC]

There's nothing wrong with the lower air dam on a 4wd, so long as your use of it doesn't require the extra ground clearance. And before anyone else chimes in, not all people need 4x4 for rock climbing and mud slinging. Some of us use it for slick roads and light off-road areas, boat ramps, etc. It's still needed, just not for the same reasons. So the air dam isn't a big issue so long as it doesn't interfere with what you're using your truck for.

 

Point well taken. In my case I need the extra ground clearance on large construction sites where road conditions (or even lack of roads) is a problem sometimes. I actually get to use the skid plates sometimes, but most don't need that capability. The air dam actually hangs down lower than the skid plates do.

 

 

So is there any downside to taking it off altogether, I'm a bit confused...

 

 

I guess it would depend upon what you use your vehicle for. No major downside either way. A little more fuel economy vs a little more off road clearance or if you hate the looks or like the looks.

[tx150007]

I just took mine off on my 07 NBS 4 door silverado 4.8 2WD. I think it looks a LOT better without it but I kept it and the screws that were holding it on just in case I notice the fuel economy hit.