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05-21-2013, 02:06 PM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,293
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How to improve your mileage
Quote:
This is a pretty big mod, but it’s also really inexpensive. It’s also super ugly. But hey, we’re trying to save fuel here, not win SEMA. The key is to extend your front bumper down below the lowest part of your truck. The idea is to keep air from flowing underneath your truck. The less air running under your truck, the better. There’s a reason why race cars are so low to the ground.
Ugly, sure, but it’ll likely net you over half a mile per gallon. Every little bit counts!
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I wonder where they get the 1/2 mpg figure? Actual testing?
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05-21-2013, 02:34 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 59
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Re: How to improve your mileage
I would think the weight and occasional friction from contact would negate any savings...
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05-21-2013, 03:12 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
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Re: How to improve your mileage
Minimizing the ground gap at the front of any truck has been very well proven to be one of the best aerodynamic aids. I've seen the test with my own eyes at Daimler's wind tunnel in Portland.
(I had to wait for them to move this thing out of the way so we could get our tunnel time)
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
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05-21-2013, 04:17 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
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Re: How to improve your mileage
I lost 1 mpg going from 2wd to 4wd. Some of it was due to weight gain, but I'm betting the lift and increased air going under the van was most of it.
Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
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05-22-2013, 08:05 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,257
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How to improve your mileage
I lost 4 mpg doing the same thing. I stripped all the fiberglass body parts off and lifted 4" when I did my Quadvan conversion.
__________________
2001 Ford RB 7.3 Quadvan (sold)
2006 Sportsmobile EB Transformer 6.0
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05-22-2013, 02:24 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 15
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Re: How to improve your mileage
I was thinking of trying to come up with a front skid plate of sorts that would smooth out a bit of the front wind turbulence. Anyone have any ideas for a front skid plate that would angle backwards from below the front bumper to the axel? Similar to like on an IFS 4runner, etc. Do you think it might help?
Liam,
Bend, OR
99 E-350
4x4 | Diesel
__________________
1999 Ford E350 | 4x4 | Diesel
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05-22-2013, 03:44 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
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Re: How to improve your mileage
QuadVan makes a SkidPlate similar to the one in that pic.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
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05-25-2013, 10:39 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New "Yawk" City
Posts: 245
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How to improve your mileage
How about the Air Tabs?
http://www.airtab.com/gallery/rv.html
I've also seen round disc type ones on the sides of tractor trailers.
__________________
2005 Ford E-350 Diesel Sportsmobile
EB 102 Voyager top, 3.55 rear, Mobil 1 all around
270 amp alternator, billet water pump, coolant filter kit,
aluminum radiator, X-Monitor with pyro, trans temp, boost
+ Scan Gauge & SCT Live Wire (Economy)
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