Quote:
Originally Posted by KamperBob
BZP, you sure are putting a lot of effort into cab/cap gap elimination. I hope you get MPG return on your gap filler investment. I'd worry about it wearing paint off my truck cab. One reason for box/cab gap is frame flex/twist during use. May the force be with you.
|
The gap cover really isn't fer MPG returns...it's fer the rain to not run in between the cab rear window and the aero cap. Never liked the fact that there was really nothing out there to prevent that. I'm not sure if my previous gap covers showed any MPG differences or not...I'm sure any changes were buried when I was making "improvements" to the other aero mods at the same time. I did notice that when I had the side access doors off, my MPGs did drop...but that was mixed in with short drives.
I learned early on about the cab/bed flex. I've tried to incorporate my experience into my designs where possible. Even my side skirts have been designed fer the flex. If you noticed...the gap cover is attached to the aero cap this time instead of the cab. I do have to build a different support setup fer the rear wheel skirts that won't be attached to the side skirts.
I bought some silicone based weather seal (peel and stick) that will be used on the gap cover. It will be attached to the gap cover to hopefully seal out water and provide a softer contact point on the cab and the cab cover when deployed. I will be laying down a sacrificial strip to make sure the seal/cover doesn't wear into the paint. Thinking about a strip of tape fer now...will eventually move to something like the 3m paint protection film later.
Working on a connected hinge setup fer the top cover today as well as the side access doors. The connected hinge will allow me to open the top gap cover from either side with ease. Been brainstorming possible solutions from suicide type doors to sliding doors. I still have to heat form the top gap corners so it conforms to the cab shape.
