Breakfast with Phil Knox
 

I had the pleasure of having breakfast with Aerohead, aka Phil Knox, last Sunday, May 18. I had met Phil once before in 2005 and got to see his modified Toyota pickup in real life. Last Sunday I got to see the latest modifications on his truck. Some people have an intuitive sense of aerodynamics and Phil posesses this ability.

On his latest mods he has devised a simple effective air intake for the radiator which is just like the opening of a jet engine nacelle. An internal smooth plug is adjustible to increase or restrict airflow, whichever outside temperatures may reqiure. Both front wheels are skirted along with the rear wheel openings. Phil has also fabricated a component which sets upon the hood to streamline airflow over the front windshield. The rear aerocap is boatlike and has an extended surface rearward. The underchassis is smooth.

Phil has increased the fuel efficiency of his vehicle by over ten miles per gallon! My 4 miles per gallon increase pales in comparison. Phil has also been doing aerodynamic mods to pickups for years, long before it became so vouge. Fuel prices are making mpg modifications very vouge right now! We all owe Phil our gratitude for blazing the trail many, like myself, have followed.

Thank you Phil for the good conversation over breakfast. You're advise on modifying my lower airdam I am going to implement. I am looking forward to the road test when I head back to Denton from Little Rock.

The aero cap is on hold I am sorry to report. The untimely death of my business partners wife halted the work we on the verge of commencing. My business partner is also a dear friend and he has been devastated by the loss. I had to go ahead and take the position offered me in Denton, Texas with a major heavy truck manufacturer. It is fun because we are working on a new aerodynamic truck for the company. It is an irony that this company I am contracting with is located in Phil Knox's home town!

We plan to recommence work the aero cap as soon as possible. I am banking all the money I can now to ride out the rough times ahead when you don't get that weekly paycheck. But, to be working on the areo cap again will be priceless.

Thanks again to all here at ecomodder for your encouragement and support. Thanks again to you Phil, we all benefit from you sharing your knowledge and experience with us all.

I include a picture I took of Phil and myself that day. If any of you guys get down to Texas, stop on by!

Bondo

So what did you guys have for breakfast?

Actually we both had an omlette at the IHOP. I think it is the International on the menu.

I'm envious of all that hair. Reminds me of my high school days when I had some.

Bondo

HAHAHAHA I fully understand!

Total head shave has been THE way to go for me. :D
I was aero/eco modding my hairstyle for a few months before I even found this forum. It has been great to find out that my slick skull helps lower my cd:D

But seriously, I bet that was pretty nice to see that ride of his in real life. Pictures can only do so much explaining sometimes....

Keep up the great work Phil!

I am down in Houston, Texas from Saturday until the start of August except for a wedding in NH and cave spelunking trip in NM. Where abouts in TX are you guys? It would be cool to meet some ecomodders doing real work. As a warning, I won't have a vehicle at all there.

Thanks for the post, bondo.

I had arranged to meet up with Phil as well early this spring, and was really looking forward to it. My trip to Texas was cancelled, unfortunately. There's no doubt about the number of people he's inspired - you as well.

Any chance you can feed us the occasional tidbit about the new truck design elements? (I realize you may be tied by non-disclosure.)

Phil,

I did the modification to the front spoiler you suggested. I went from 21.5 to 22.6 on the trip back from Little Rock to Denton, Texas today. Thank you!

It is amazing what a slight change to a certian area will get you aerodynamically.

Bondo

Theres an omelette waiting for you
 

GenKreton,I live a little north of Denton,and when Brett is over from Arkansas,he's working his magic near the Denton airport.If you can get this way,let me know.If Brett's in town,maybe we can all get away for some cholesterol.

airdam mpg
 

Hey Brett,thanks for the kind words,for sharing your library with me,and am glad reduced frontal area worked out.P.S.,I looked at my big-rig stuff,and certain numbers looks real doable.Renault hit Below Cd0.35 with an 18-wheeler and there are bus designs with Cds below 0.25. At 56-mph,some of the rigs return over 10-mpg.Tasty! We'll all be waiting to hear more about the cap.Best to ya,Phil.

your tell me you met and saw this truck and owner and only got one pic with no details!!!

You got to be holding out?!