AirFlow BulletTruck Project (aerodynamic, modified Class 8 transport doubles MPG) - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Shepherd777 · 02-26-2012, 03:48 PM

Well after 3 years

, I finally have my AirFlow BulletTruck tractor more or less finished. We are getting ready to haul some freight and do some testing.

Here are a few pics of it parked in the driveway at my house last week.

Short spec list:

450hp Cummins ISX Diesel Engine
13 Speed Eaton RoadRanger Manual Transmission
1225 RPM @ 55mph
Michelin Super Single Drive and Trailer Tires, and Anti-Splash Steering Tires
All Truck-Lite LED lights, including Military LED Headlights, 4" driving lights, signal and clearance lights covered with Lexan Aerodynamic Covers.
LED DRL's.
Evans Waterless Coolant - Boils at 375 degrees F.
All electric Air Conditioning while driving
6000 watt Dynasys APU for A/C, Heat, and electricity while sleeping/resting
Crankshaft mounted Horton WindMaster Revolution Fan
Electric Door Steps automatically deploy and retract with driver's door operation

Still need:
Trailer Gap Sealer behind cab
Trailer boat-tail - currently being fabricated
Aero Steering Hub Caps - currently being fabricated

If I was starting today, and not in Feb. 2009, both the grill inlet and the ground effects would have been dynamically variable.

If I was starting tomorrow, we would do it from scratch and not retrofitting a older Class 8 rig.

Complete Build Pics and other info is available at my web site. I hope posting the URL here is appropriate, as I am not currently selling anything.

AirFlow Truck Company

Bob Sliwa
"Like a Midget at a Urinal, I knew I was gonna have to stay on my toes......."

CigaR007 · 02-26-2012, 04:03 PM

Awesome !

pete c · 02-26-2012, 06:13 PM

That thing looks awesome. Where in Newington are you? My sister and her family live there.

Otto · 02-26-2012, 06:13 PM

You done good, hoss.

LeanBurn · 02-26-2012, 07:01 PM

One things for sure, the truck seems happy with what you have done.

Did you get some before mpg figures? This should be very interesting to see what improvements you have accomplished.

euromodder · 02-26-2012, 08:04 PM

Awesome work.
Do you already have any MPG comparison before - after ?

skyking · 02-26-2012, 08:21 PM

way cool! Bring that thing by Seattle ASAP!

kach22i · 02-26-2012, 08:47 PM

Bravo!

Shepherd777 · 02-26-2012, 09:21 PM

Thanks for all of the kind words.

We have not done any testing at all yet. I coupled it to the trailer last week, but only to check all of the skirt clearances.

We found a problem with the internal rear hood latch system, so more design and fabrication was necessary on that issue. That will hopefully be wrapped up tomorrow.

We never ran this truck before starting this project. So the only historical data we have is the average MPG of the last owner that was stored on the trucks ECU computer. That figure was 5.8 MPG average. That MPG figure is probably pretty close to the national average, at least in 2009 numbers. Unknown was the average GVW, speed, idling time, etc. of the last owner, which was by the way, Eaton Corporation. So this has been a test vehicle all of its life. Although Eaton was testing their own Class 8 drivetrain products, and not MPG efficiency.

When we get everything together, boat-tail, gap sealer, etc., we hope to be consistently in the teens.

HydroJim · 02-26-2012, 09:41 PM

That thing is absolutely beautiful. Hopefully you'll be able to start manufacturing these things. The way gas prices are going, it looks like you got done just at the right time!

I saw the animation of your trailer boat-tail and I am very interested to see how that works. Folding it up is a great idea.

How do you play on sealing the gap between the trailer and cab?