Airdam made of lawn edging - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Christ · 05-16-2011, 02:50 PM

I believe I remember talking to you about this truck before. You chose the v8 4x4 bc the EPA ratings were so close or were the same, but the v8 had more usable power, right?

Frank Lee · 05-16-2011, 02:57 PM

Yes. IIRC V8 was actually 1 point higher than I6; with the intended pulling and towing- some of it off-road- I figured I should have 4x4; and compared to a V6 Ranger or other small truck it wasn't much of an mpg hit at all according to the specs AND purchase price was pretty close to the same too. It ended up being used for loads too big for a smaller truck anyway. Of course most of the time a smaller truck would be more suitable because I don't have the huge loads 100% of the time. But it's paid for.

skyl4rk · 05-17-2011, 08:04 AM

zip tie some foam pipe insulation to the bottom of that street sweeper

call it the racoon (roadkill) slapper

aerohead · 05-17-2011, 06:23 PM

Frank,it looks O.E.M.! Very few will ever realize that it's not.Sweet!
PS On my way to Pep Boys to scope out ram implosion devices.The chrome muffler bearing finaly rusted,dizzly-pin is bent,and I can't seem to un-clog the phenobulator

Christ · 05-17-2011, 06:28 PM

Instead of buying all those parts new, buy and retrofit a Chrysler Turbo Encabulator.

Much better product, and some added efficiency as well.

Frank Lee · 05-17-2011, 06:31 PM

I have wunna those Chrysler thingies hanging in the garage! I should put it on and get 30 mpg! (combined with the ram-implosion plate... and the wipers and antenna delete)

California98Civic · 07-01-2011, 11:22 PM

Lawn edging airdam on a 1998 Honda Civic. I scraped a dip in town today, no sweat.

kach22i · 07-01-2011, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I'm thinking of attaching it with spring-steel clips- no drilling

Dude, great minds think alike - I did the same thing two years ago on my S-10. Picked up 3-mph hwy.

Link:
Chin Spolier - fast/easy/cheap/effective - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

I did hit a snow drift (spun) this last winter when I went on to a side street and touched the gas coming out of the turn. I was trying to save gas keeping it out of 4WD, not always a smart thing to do. I now have a crack in the plastic chin valance above my home garden chin spoiler (in one corner). I still have to fix it, helps that the truck is all black, I forget it's even cracked.

Kodak · 07-02-2011, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kach22i

Dude, great minds think alike - I did the same thing two years ago on my S-10. Picked up 3-mph hwy.

Hey, I dig it - nice job.

I read through a bit of that thread. Looks like your gains were made at speeds around 70. Did you measure the mpg gains at any lower speeds - like 45 or 50?

kach22i · 07-02-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodak

lower speeds - like 45 or 50?

No extended no-stop driving at those speeds, so no. City gas mileage still sucks.

Based on the rear Gurney Flap spoiler experiment I did, I'd say anything above 30 mph aerodynamics will come into play.

The main problem I have with city driving with this truck is the 4.3L V6 has so much more torque than the 1.6L Geo Tracker I drove for 20 years that I become a lead foot and start having too much fun. As you can guess, having fun in even a compact truck is an expensive thing fuel wise.