aerodynamic improvements; diesel,dually,dump

[FORDF250HDXLT]

thanks slowmover.
i think the key to my success thus far is my 45 MPH/1400RPM average cruise speeds.
i also have a very light and constant foot.
about the only time i work this diesel engine is on the hills.i don't mind revving her up to 3k+ when loaded,where required.
other than that,i drive all the time like theirs an egg under my peddle and as if iv got no brakes.
i drive so slow and easy,id put granny to sleep.
i recently fixed a DRW problem,that i put off for far too long,and i'll be seeing great improvement from that (see my last two tank results.)

i also started with the lower sitting f250 hd 4x4 and converted that into a dually,rather than the higher sitting f350 drw 4x4 which likely helps some.

[FORDF250HDXLT]

sig test.
testing 123.



hmm.ah well.maybe latter lol.

[FORDF250HDXLT]

ok guys.iv started taking your advice and began to streamline this old gal out some.
as you can see,iv covered up the stake sides,and i was able to angle the front and the rear sections a little too which i hope helps.

[david85]

You sure whipped that together quick!

[KamperBob]

FORD[...], I think you are on the right track. I don't see much low fruit to pick. You've tightened the nut behind the wheel very well indeed based on all your info and current FE not too shabby at all for such a rig. I wouldn't over think front end mods at least not just yet. Ideal attached flow up front and along the sides tends to amplify suction drag at the large flat rear. If you could trade off some percentage of volume capacity of the box I could see a FE return via cleaner, smaller wake. That could also synergize with front end optimizations. Honestly, for 10-25% improved FE you should expect a different "look" to the truck. I believe it's possible to please the air without offending the eyes. If this line of thought holds your interest I would try to sketch something; I just need to make a little time. Either way, keep up the good work and thanks for sharing!

[FORDF250HDXLT]

david85
yeah it was pretty easy to do.i just took my time after work and got it done.i primed the sections i just cut to fit,and while drying i cut the other sections.before i was done,they were ready for paint.i just threw one thick coat on the insides,and then once everything was done,i rolled the other thin coat on the outside,the next day.so it only took me a couple hrs after work for two days really,and i was done.
its just very thin plywood from home depot.it may only last a couple yrs before its rots away,but then they where only just 12 bucks a sheet or so,and i only needed to buy 3.
i figured the sooner i just get it done,the sooner the payback,and then savings.

KamperBob,
i'll never consider going smaller with the bed.the whole reason i drive this truck is to move wood and chips etc.the larger the bed-the fewer the trips,making FE almost meaningless.by the miles driven less because i can take more at once,and all the time saved by doing so as well.since its a 100% work truck only,you know what they say time is....
truck duty first.fuel economy will always be secondary.
iv got a small car when i need to just haul myself around.
however if you have some ideas for the bed in its current state,id be interested to see some ideas.
im not going to get hardcore,like many here do.for example trying to close up gaps between trim/headlights etc.
all im looking for are the big obvious things,and a few smaller.but nothing tedious.
this truck doesn't move,unless it's to make $.however,i don't want to be like most folks,who just do nothing about aero once they setup their work trucks either.fuel costs way too much now,to do nothing.
basically,if i can gain .5 (true average) mpg from aero modding,then im a happy guy.though,if there is obvious room for improvement after that,i won't stop until most here say iv got all the big basics covered.


next up i guess will be building a lower bumper valance to clean this up.
not sure what im going to make this out of.but id like to rig it up so i can toss two large pins through my plow push plates so i could remove it quick and easy when required.
i may need to go to my local steel/welding fabricators to build it for me.
in the pic,the bumper is just barely shown on the upper left side.
the push plates are about 1" higher still than the front axle.-though i haven't measured yet.
because iv got pretty short tires on her to set it low,i really don't think i want to go lower with my valance than the push plates,though i know it should be as low or slightly lower than the axle.i just don't want to be plowing road kill,know what i mean lol.
but surely blocking off at least most of this mess has to help:

[FORDF250HDXLT]

here we go.i figure its best to provide more pics with what im working with here.
hope these help.

[Bill in Houston]

What is that giant metal thing poking down below the front bumper? Besides a perfect place for an airdam?

[FORDF250HDXLT]

that's my snow plow attachment brackets,called push plates.
(off topic; fuel economy not tracked when plowing,as that cannot be tracked in miles per gallon,but rather tacked with time,which i have no reason or desire to track anyway lol.)

[Bill in Houston]

Ah, gotcha. Don't see many of those down here.