Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Report: Improving the Aero Characteristics of a Dodge Ram Pickup Truck

ECONORAM · 10-17-2009, 01:57 AM

I have been slowly working on this almost since I bought my truck. I dug up several websites about pickup truck aerodynamics and improvements. Here are a few:
A Truck That Drinks Less Than a Car? | Popular Science
http://gcep.stanford.edu/pdfs/ChEHeX...0_11_trans.pdf
Improving Aerodynamics to Boost Fuel Economy
RoadandTrack.com -- Tech Tidbits - Tech Tidbits — September 2004 (9/2004)

I also took a close look at a RAM SRT10 about 2 years ago. Some of the interesting things are the front air dam/bumper cover/splitter, the full tonneau cover w/integrated spoiler (said to improve airflow), lowered 2 inches to cut aero drag, and I noticed the air conditioner condensor and the radiator are inline, not side by side like other RAMs. There is about a six inch space on the driver's side of the radiator that is covered with a piece of black plastic, to cut drag through the grille.
I looked at my wife's 08 Avenger and discovered it has a full belly panel under the engine bay. I have been working toward several of these mods since I got back from Iraq. I will see if I can add the pix to my gallery or garage...
My truck will get over 23 mpg on the highway at 65mph now. I am aiming for 30...

[edit] I also need to ask if there is a how to for measuring Cd via coast down?

10-17-2009, 01:57 AM	#23 (permalink)
ECONORAM halos.com Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 528 ECONORAM - '07 Dodge RAM 1500 QC SLT flex-fuel 90 day: 18.16 mpg (US) the Avenger - '08 Dodge Avenger SXT 90 day: 27.06 mpg (US) Thanks: 385 Thanked 94 Times in 80 Posts	Dodge RAM aero mods I have been slowly working on this almost since I bought my truck. I dug up several websites about pickup truck aerodynamics and improvements. Here are a few: A Truck That Drinks Less Than a Car? \| Popular Science http://gcep.stanford.edu/pdfs/ChEHeX...0_11_trans.pdf Improving Aerodynamics to Boost Fuel Economy RoadandTrack.com -- Tech Tidbits - Tech Tidbits — September 2004 (9/2004) I also took a close look at a RAM SRT10 about 2 years ago. Some of the interesting things are the front air dam/bumper cover/splitter, the full tonneau cover w/integrated spoiler (said to improve airflow), lowered 2 inches to cut aero drag, and I noticed the air conditioner condensor and the radiator are inline, not side by side like other RAMs. There is about a six inch space on the driver's side of the radiator that is covered with a piece of black plastic, to cut drag through the grille. I looked at my wife's 08 Avenger and discovered it has a full belly panel under the engine bay. I have been working toward several of these mods since I got back from Iraq. I will see if I can add the pix to my gallery or garage... My truck will get over 23 mpg on the highway at 65mph now. I am aiming for 30... [edit] I also need to ask if there is a how to for measuring Cd via coast down? Last edited by ECONORAM; 10-17-2009 at 01:58 AM.. Reason: coast down?