Another truck aero cap idea...

[BamZipPow]

Bad news...5 miles into the drive...the ducktail broke free from the mounts and drifted off in the rear view mirror.

Guess I'll have find some of that 3M double stick tape that can replace rivets.

MPG estimate is approximately 25mpg. I'll refuel when I git back home in the morning.

The rest of the aero cap is holding up well. No shimmies or shakes. Nothing falling apart.

[dkruitz]

Bad news on that - If you're in New Braunfels I can get you a strip of that tape - it's called VHB tape - Very high Bond - designed for metal to metal adhesion typically but can be bought for other surfaces now too and in different thicknesses like a foam tape.

I've just joined ecomodder and have an old B2000 I just bought a couple weeks ago that I want to aero mod. I'm toying with a kamm type attachment off the cab, and a stressed skin tyvek cover - like an airplane wing. But after your build I'm reconsidering for a full aero shell. I've done some fiberglass before and that would probably be the eventual goal, but the coroplast looks like a great material for mock ups - I even found a source for 4x8 sheets..... hmmmm gears whirling.....

[BamZipPow]

The aftermath...


Aerohead type balcony shots...



Thinking about playing around with expanding foam again to git my shape on the ducktail support on the cab.

[aerohead]

when I was doing the original shell for the Dodge I was anxious to test.With one layer of glass on it I made it about 300-yards on the highway before this same area just 'went away.'
It was quite dramatic.And boy do I sure like to do things at least twice!
Welcome to backyard/sideyard/driveway/front lawn? engineering.
Hope its a little cooler down there.

[t vago]

Just be glad it wasn't the entire aerocap that lifted off. I still remember my version 1 doing that last October. It made for a rather interesting sight in my rear view mirror.

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by t vago

Just be glad it wasn't the entire aerocap that lifted off. I still remember my version 1 doing that last October. It made for a rather interesting sight in my rear view mirror.

No way my aero cap is coming off (unless I want it to come off)...I've got that puppy bolted down with some serious metal brackets through the bed.

It would only take me about 10 minutes to remove the aero cap...

After doing more research on that VHB tape...I think it will be a start fer the next ducktail version. Wonder if I should go with a rubberized material (same as the bumper covers) or some sheet metal...

[BamZipPow]

I think I found some potential glass fer the side panels...quarter panels from the Nissan 280ZX! Seems they sell fer about $25 each used.

[dkruitz]

BamZipPow - I can't PM I don't think but if you give me your address I can send you some of the VHB tape I have for you to try out. Needs a clean surface.
dkruitz@gmail.com

In case anyone wondered what VHB tape was, here's a link to 3M's site:
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...apes/VHB-Tape/

[BamZipPow]

Well...I ended up going back to my cab cover invention so a rigid ducktail is definitely out of the mix. Trying a soft ducktail instead made out of some left over Tyvek from my cab cover. Taping it along the leading edge with some Tyvek tape to the cab and using some sort of stiff material on the trailing edge will allow me to tuck the ducktail under the cab cover when it's in use. The ducktail's trailing edge will be secured to the aero cap when the cab cover is not in use. This will keep the rain/airflow from entering the gap between the cab and the aero cap. The soft ducktail will move with the flexing of the frame/bed and shouldn't stress under the load. I'll try some velcro ties to tie the trailing edge down. I don't know if it will try to balloon like a convertible top or not. Guess I'll have to find out and see.

Currently out in Nebraska and there is some rain expected tomorrow along with a big drop in temps. We'll see how well this will perform.

[HighMPG]

MAn! You are the T100 Man! Good work love to see it come along.