Easy Aero Fix? (Modding a pickup?)
 

Would it be possible to take a small truck and turn it into a mpg champ by a few homemade remedy's and an engine swap? The boat tailing part would be really easy since the truck is already divided in half. Some clear plastic and tape would easily make Cd improve dramatically, if you took plastic from the roof to the tailgate, and be much better than a full camper cover over the bed because it has a kammback effect right? you could easily lower it and do easy aeromods but... has this been successful?

Yes, I've been thinking this for a long time. On a lot of trucks, you'd get enough angle to make it meet at the top of the tailgate. On others, you might not.

http://metrompg.com/posts/photos/aer...oyota-trim.jpg

http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?sect...le&storyid=870

Newton: you've got a class of vehicle in Australia not sold in North America that's ideally suited to this approach: the car-based "ute". (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/p...mages/comm.jpg

Far better than modding a truck, since they're going to be lighter, lower, and will likely have better aerodynamics from the get go, even before the mods.

I wonder why people don't do that more often, especially for the ones who actually need the truck part, they could craft a removable kammback so when they need to load up they can do so easily. And for added ground clearance, you could get airbags *w/ on board air compressor* to raise the vehicle when needed, and lower it for daily use with the flip of a switch.

That fast back crap won't help a bit, it will only add weight. A pickup truck already gets that effect by the turbulant air behind the cab with no extra weight.

If you want to better the aero in the bed area: use a tonneau cover and put a 6-8" piece of aluminum extending the roof off the back of the cab and tonneau cover over the tailgate. that should get you up to 2mpg at highway speeds with minimal weight. A truck cap with the extension off the back would also do.

Plug any holes in front, lower truck, add a front air dam, remove trailer hitch and replace rr bumper with roll pan, remove all extra weight. Get smaller mirrors. Use under-drive engine pulleys. tune up the truck. Increase gearing

But aerodynamics > weight, so I challenge that assertion.

In a wind tunnel, you are correct. I thought everyone was looking for real-world application. I don't mean to be a smartass, sorry.

I have worked with many efficiency consultants, aero scientists and powertrain engineers in my field of study. I believe I have a good understanding of the basics. I will admit I am not an expert! I do however like helping out anyone that would like input with the limited knowledge I have. Share the wealth and we are all better for it!

*I don't know if this will post correctly, I am a forum newbie so please cut me some slack!

Sorry to keep beating this to death.

Apples to apples:

Honda Insight:
1,9xx pounds
.25 coefficient of drag
70 mpg EPA (old math)

Toyota Prius:
2,9xx pounds
.26 coefficient of drag
60 mpg EPA (old math)

What's the difference? weight.

Replace all that hybrid crap and motor with a VW 1.9 turbo diesel running bio and it would be hovering closer to the magic 100mpg than either of these.

There are lots of other differences besides weight.

If you compare the 2006 models, both with CVT, using new EPA ratings you get this:

Insight ------- Prius
47 MPG --- 46 MPG