Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Aerodynamics
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 10-14-2009, 10:08 PM   #261 (permalink)
Relevance is irrelevant!
 
bluetwo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Augusta, GA
Posts: 130

CR-EX - '12 Honda CR-Z EX
Thanks: 13
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Send a message via Yahoo to bluetwo
Nice image. I really want to see one that'll go on my crew cab Canyon (Colorado) because it already get 25 or more on the highway and an extra 20% would be sweet.

Of course, I realize that's still probably a ways out.

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 10-14-2009, 11:43 PM   #262 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,530

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 62.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,078
Thanked 6,978 Times in 3,613 Posts
Bondo: at what speed? We need to know your MPH to put your MPG in context!
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2009, 03:21 AM   #263 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
bondo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 279
Thanks: 90
Thanked 240 Times in 90 Posts
So excited I forgot to post my speed.

My speed was a constant 70 miles per hour set on cruise control.

I think Darin, as we all saw from the great post you put up of Bill Pien in the Ford wind tunnel in Allen Park, Michigan, with the 2009 F-150, alot of the credit for the high number I got goes to Ford.

I do hope Ford would someday take a strong look at aerodynamic truck bed covers. A 20% increase in fuel efficiency would definitely help them reach future CAFE standards.

Bondo
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2009, 12:30 PM   #264 (permalink)
Moderate your Moderation.
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Troy, Pa.
Posts: 8,919

Pasta - '96 Volkswagen Passat TDi
90 day: 45.22 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,369
Thanked 430 Times in 353 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by bondo View Post
My speed was a constant 70 miles per hour set on cruise control.

I think Darin, as we all saw from the great post you put up of Bill Pien in the Ford wind tunnel in Allen Park, Michigan, with the 2009 F-150, alot of the credit for the high number I got goes to Ford.

I do hope Ford would someday take a strong look at aerodynamic truck bed covers. A 20% increase in fuel efficiency would definitely help them reach future CAFE standards.

Bondo
If Ford were to give in to something like this, it would be an aftermarket accessory. Unfortunately, I'm sure many will not see much of a point to adding a bed cover as a standard option, when they're probably just going to remove it for "easy access to the bed".

Right after my Father got his S10, he sold the cap that was on it. He got tired of having to remove it all the time for even small loads that normally, he could have just thrown into the bed against the cab. He's also hardcore about keeping weight in front of the axle, to help distribute it.

If I were going to do something like this on a truck I drove/used daily, I'd probably want to make accessible side covers for this reason, as well.
__________________
"¿ʞɐǝɹɟ ɐ ǝɹ,noʎ uǝɥʍ 'ʇı ʇ,usı 'ʎlǝuol s,ʇı"

  Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2009, 01:45 PM   #265 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
bondo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 279
Thanks: 90
Thanked 240 Times in 90 Posts
Good points.

Christ you make some good points. The utilitarian aspects of an old style camper shell and even a tonneau cover do have some drawbacks.

A camper shell is restricted to hauling cargo no taller than the roof of the shell. The camper shell also robs around 1 mpg due to poor aerodynamics.

A tonneau cover can add anywhere from a 7 to 10% increase in fuel efficiency to the pickup. Drawbacks are it is very limited in cargo volume and you cannot camp in it.

In designing the Aerolid, I tried to put as much utilitarian chracteristics into it I could think of. The top roof can be easily removed by unhooking one end of the hydraulic struts and then by pulling two pins which hingedly connect the roof to the lower body of the Aerolid. Two people can easily and swiftly remove the roof to allow for the hauling of cargo taller than the roof. You don't have to remove the lower portion at all. The first picture I include illustrates this and it gives the truck kind of a cool look.

Another aspect of utility is the camper position. The Aerolid roof can swifly be raised and then two canvas sides and a rear hatch with a window are deployed. The Aerolid can now be used for camping or to haul a larger volume of cargo, which I have done many times. The Aerolid is fully roadable in this position at sustained freeway speed. The second picture shows the camper position.

The roof of the Aerolid also raises flush to the roof of the cab making it much easier to stow cargo toward the front truck bed wall, much easier than a tonneau cover. I do like your idea of side access which would make things even better. Picture three shows the lid in the raised position.

Lastly, the Aerolid by design distributes most of it's wieght forward of the axel.

I have learned you can't do it all yourself and I appreciate everyones input and comments.

Bondo
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	P1010494.JPG
Views:	244
Size:	86.4 KB
ID:	4453   Click image for larger version

Name:	p1010663.JPG
Views:	227
Size:	70.2 KB
ID:	4454   Click image for larger version

Name:	P1010676.JPG
Views:	227
Size:	67.7 KB
ID:	4455  

Last edited by bondo; 10-15-2009 at 01:59 PM.. Reason: spelling
  Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to bondo For This Useful Post:
Christ (10-15-2009), Rokeby (10-15-2009)
Old 10-15-2009, 02:11 PM   #266 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
chuckm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Monroe, LA
Posts: 308

Exploder - '02 Ford Explorer xlt

Rolla - '02 Toyota Corolla ce
Team Toyota
90 day: 44.43 mpg (US)
Thanks: 11
Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts
Never give up

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mandilon View Post
Does anyone have that drawing of a frog choking a snake that trying to gobble him up? The caption reads "Never give up!"
__________________
"Jesus didn't bring 'Natty Lite' to the party. He brought the good stuff."
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to chuckm For This Useful Post:
bondo (10-15-2009)
Old 10-15-2009, 04:03 PM   #267 (permalink)
Moderate your Moderation.
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Troy, Pa.
Posts: 8,919

Pasta - '96 Volkswagen Passat TDi
90 day: 45.22 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,369
Thanked 430 Times in 353 Posts
Image #1, I haven't seen. I knew about the rest of those features, though. I applaud you in your efforts, and I'm behind what you're doing 100%.

I believe side access, at least on one side, would make an unbeatable combination where there would be no real argument against using the design for just about any truck under just about any circumstances.

I wish you good luck in your venture!
__________________
"¿ʞɐǝɹɟ ɐ ǝɹ,noʎ uǝɥʍ 'ʇı ʇ,usı 'ʎlǝuol s,ʇı"

  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Christ For This Useful Post:
bondo (10-15-2009)
Old 10-15-2009, 10:29 PM   #268 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,530

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 62.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,078
Thanked 6,978 Times in 3,613 Posts
Bondo: that mileage at 70 mph is impressive. I love the workmanship & looks too.

You know what would clinch it for me (and many others): an A-B-A comparison. Lay it all out: test methodology and before & after MPG results of a controlled-as-possible test in identical conditions.
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2009, 10:33 PM   #269 (permalink)
(:
 
Frank Lee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
Posts: 12,762

Blue - '93 Ford Tempo
Last 3: 27.29 mpg (US)

F150 - '94 Ford F150 XLT 4x4
90 day: 18.5 mpg (US)

Sport Coupe - '92 Ford Tempo GL
Last 3: 69.62 mpg (US)

ShWing! - '82 honda gold wing Interstate
90 day: 33.65 mpg (US)

Moon Unit - '98 Mercury Sable LX Wagon
90 day: 21.24 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,585
Thanked 3,555 Times in 2,218 Posts
I have much respect for Bondo and aerohead too but when they make an fe claim from one long highway trip I cringe.

You've seen how I wigged out when Truck Trend did the same thing...
__________________


  Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2009, 11:32 PM   #270 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
bondo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 279
Thanks: 90
Thanked 240 Times in 90 Posts
I do need more of an average over time for true mpg.

And I do need to do a before and after in as much as can be a controlled condition. The claim I made of 24.1 mpg was for yesterdays run only. The conditions were close to ideal with light winds and good air temperature.

I can only ask you to refer to round.boaters fuel log. He is showing some good numbers over a longer period of time running his Aerolid.

The wind tunnel data I gained at Mooresville, N.C. showed a substancial reduction of Cd. My last fuel records from my old truck showed overall a 20% increase in fuel efficiency over a two and a half year period at highway speeds.

The first two road tests of my new lid were hampered by headwinds. The one yesterday proved to me that the lid can get 24.1 mpg. The 2009 F-150 like mine is rated at 20 mpg for highway. 24 mpg is a 20% increase in fuel efficeincy over 20 mpg. In time data to further substanciate my claims will be provided.


Bondo


Last edited by bondo; 10-16-2009 at 04:46 AM..
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread




Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Easy Aero Fix? (Modding a pickup?) DifferentPointofView Aerodynamics 53 04-13-2012 06:46 PM
SAE report: Pickup Truck tailgate aerodynamics... better up, down, or off? MetroMPG Aerodynamics 5 11-17-2011 03:35 PM
Sources of Aerodynamic Drag in Automobiles and Possible Solutions SVOboy Aerodynamics 12 02-17-2010 03:09 PM
How much do y'all pay for trash pickup? roflwaffle Saving@Home 15 08-23-2009 11:46 AM
Daihatsu Mira aerodynamic modifications newtonsfirstlaw Aerodynamics 5 06-13-2009 10:43 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com