Aerodynamic Truck Front End Swap? (1990 mazda b2200)

[snakub]

I have an electric 1990 mazda b2200 which has a very squared frontal area I would like to know if anyone here has ever attempted a front end swap to something smoother like this guy did with his semi New Build Pics How much would something like this cost and how much range would I gain? What would be the most ideal shape? Could I make it bolt on?

[larrybuck]

I'm not Mr. Science, but I'm sure that it would help, as long as you also pay attention to the rear of the truck as many threads on here deal with.

I could only say if you are a hands on kind of guy, you could make a wood mockup of the frontend you want, and then have an experienced fiberglass guy make a mold from that.

Very spendy unless you can do at least some of it yourself.



A front end similar to this picture might be doable.

This is George Poteet's BLOWFISH: a '69 'Cuda set up for Bonneville.
If you google this, many more pics available.

The build story on the semi tractor was very interesting. It seemed a shame that at least they could have provided before and after mpg figures for the
tractor alone say at 55mph.!!!!

[radioranger]

I've seen some front bumper covers on the side of the highway after a crash that looked like a good starting point, wrecker guys dont pick them up all the time. would cover the bottom half pretty effectively i would think and go up from there.

[Beau]

I believe the Mazda B2200 shares the same components as the same year Ford Ranger. However, I don't know if the Ranger has a lower Cd.

[Ryland]

The very worst part of your truck is the under side, fallowed by the back of it, a square front end is not the worst shape but once you get the under side and back of the truck smoothed out then looking at the front is fine... but the front is the least of your drag.

[radioranger]

I understand , i was more thinking about a radical approach, mainly the plastic front bumper cover of say a newer car as part of a new front end design copying their approach. as for my 88 ranger i recently added a partial grille block and seemed to have picked up at least 1 mpg

[Sven7]

In all reality grafting on a new bumper will probably look like a hodgepodge Fast and Furious car. Unless you're going to scratch-build an entire clamshell front, rock the 80's look with a big chin spoiler, and spend your time building an aero cap.

This guy's got the idea.

[radioranger]

Gee , I thought Hodgepodge was the new look around here . Good thoughts, just thinking outside the box, literally

[snakub]

I already have a plastic front bumper from a body shop that I am using as a front bumper maybe I will post pics. I also have plans to do all those things mentioned here belly pan aero tuck cap but I guess my mentality is to get the things that I consider the hardest over with first. How much would something like this cost to do from scratch and what could I use to mock up a model to get an idea of how it would look on the truck? Anyone recommend a graphics program for that? Oh and I was also think about whether it would give me more room for batteries in front and what about the bumper where would I put that?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by snakub

I have an electric 1990 mazda b2200 which has a very squared frontal area I would like to know if anyone here has ever attempted a front end swap to something smoother like this guy did with his semi New Build Pics How much would something like this cost and how much range would I gain? What would be the most ideal shape? Could I make it bolt on?

I've done my Dodge and Toyota both,adding onto what was already there.
Both have cedar wood and drywall screw skeletons.
The Dodge has Masonite skin.
The Toyota has aluminum skin.
I also did the CRX,taping cardboard over the nose and fiberglassing it in place to create a slip-on aero fascia.
The nose won't actually add so much by itself as buy you an insurance policy for aft-body mods added later.
If you'll find the thread 'Back from Bonneville' there are some photos there.