ecomoded rv brick with little success if any
 

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Last summer I installed a partial boat tail, if you can call it that. wings down the side angled in at 12%, a kamback, a small front dam, fender skirts, a grill block, I also installed my spare tire on the front bumper, I tested this on a 1000km run with basically no change in mpg still on or around 16 mpg. I have since installed skirts between the front and rear wheels along the sides and started a belly pan these are not tested, I removed some mirrors and the roof racks, but installed a small chimney for the new heater on the roof. The van handles much better and is quieter, I find myself creeping up around 90-95 kph where I used to be comfortable at 80-85 kph.http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-fl...1-dscn1266.jpg
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any advice or ideas greatly appreciated

I think you need to go much, much larger on that trailing edge stuff.

Now THESE wipers are probably out in the air stream. Can they be parked vertically or removed? My Fords have easy to remove wiper arms so I keep them stowed in the cab.

got an idea here, I had a ford van and made a foam copy of the nose of a UPS truck, the newer models are pretty rounded off in front and helped a lot on my crude testing runs, better than 10% difference in 45 to 65 accell runs, this was about 25 years ago, but check out you local ups guys truck, i think it might help to shovel some of the air aside instead of over, think of a clear headlight cover rounded to push air right or left,

Nose looks OK to me; it's those A-pillars that suck.

thanks guys Frank you are probably right about going bigger out the back but I didn'twant to look to strange, so decided on the box theory out of a coventry study someone pointed me to. Since testing it though I did add the supports under the kamback because I started thinking that it may have been flopping, not tested since the changes.
RR As for the front I wondered if I negtated all gains by installing my spare out there, I was thinking of improving the front by removing the existing bumper and installing a 2 inch alluminium tube that I have fabricated then ducting the air under the van along the, to be completed belly pan, not sure if I would be better off with an air dam or that idea??? or perhaps a bit of both. I was also wondering about the front roof line wether I should make that a complete radius back into where the wipers connect. I see a lot of bugs getting killed in that area so assume air is bagning in there. I did a test on my scooter with a straight hand sticking out at the top of my windscreen compared to a closed fist, the fist seemed to have less drag and was quieter, I plan on removing the centre three clearance lights, and installing small flush LEDs on the outside instead of the ones on there.
Do you really think the wipers make a worthwhile difference??

Party's in the back. Study the new trailer tail design, maybe like the articulating convex panels...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJApcPCqF6g

bspr, that is what I had in mind when I did the back wings, but the plexi gave me an idea I could extend mine with plexi that way it wouldn't stand out as much nor would it block my tail lights but it may interfere with my scooter rack but perhaps they can be movable.

Don't use plexi (clear acrylic), it will degrade & shatter too easily. Recommend lexan (clear polycarbonate), could heat it and put a soft radii with a bending brake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsls5ZPCUnE

The van handles much better and is quieter, I find myself creeping up around 90-95 kph where I used to be comfortable at 80-85 kph.

I'd say that success was achieved . . if not the exact goal. Handling crosswinds is a very big part of FE when it comes to vehicles like this.

Can you add cruise control? Both KENWORTH and CUMMINS require it's use for FE concious fleet improvements. Keeping speed down is part of that. And setting it below target speed is a way of not falling too far off when in hilly terrain. Etc.

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you are right Slowmower there has been a degree of success, I am not giving up, I am happy with the improvements in handling and the lower noise. I assume that once the bellpan is finished it will be quieter still. One of the biggest issue with this vehicle is the gearing, it flies up hills and takes off like a bullet but howles at highway speed, not sure if I will ever install a cruise control, might be beyond my knowledge or motivation. last year you asked about the interior, I loaded some shots on my album if you are still interested.

I would build a bigger air dam, 15-20cm deep. Bend it around the corners and end it at the edge of the wheel arch. Check out my Anal Probe build thread for ideas. Mine cost $20- lawn edging, aluminum bar, bolts and zip ties.

Also, some Bonneville style wheel covers will look pretty good with this flat-sided step van, and will help your FE.

yes I like the idea of the Bonneville style wheel covers and have an eye on them but may just fill in those spokes with coroplast, not sure if they are worth the 100. bucks plus shipping. Still up in the air on that one.
I was wondering if I should be building a bigger air dam or scooping the air under and building a full belly pan, well actually I was wondering which would be better. or should I be doing both. I like your front fender partial skirts and was thinking about something like that as well. i have plans on making little deflectors in back of the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels.

When I first bought this truck 4,5 years back it was overheating, so the first thing I did was remove the thermostat to test for an issue and get me home as I couldn't see a leak, I eventually found the rad fins to to be rotten and replaced it solving the problem but I just remembered that I never reinstalled the thermostat, how much of a difference could this have on FE, I know it will likely be different on short trips but I wonder about longer trips???? anyone know, I will put a new one in when I get back to it but I was just currious if this could be substantial, I don't remember it particularly, running cold but perhaps it wasn't reaching proper temp. which would likely make some difference????

How about towing a trailer thats shaped like a proper boat tail, I'll bet it would really make a difference, seriously, Of course would make it harder to park etc, but drag would drop , no question . and of course easy to leave behind

I just found a set of 20 inch alloys for sale that would fit my van, currently has 16 inch steel. They look like normal tires on them, not low profile, I doubt they are any lighter but I was thinking this might give me a higher gear decreasing my rpm at cruising speed improving fe. I am pretty sure they would fit in the wheel well, my concern, would I be stressing the front end, transmission..do you think this is a valid concern, any other pros or cons???

I would say if it accelerates very strongly now then it is a good idea to go bigger but if it struggles to maintain speeds you run in any kind of wind stay stock, just my 2 cents here, also on thermostat issue definitely a big help to fe for most.

t-stat
 

Your engine is a steam engine of sorts,with water vapor from combustion passing the piston rings and into the crankcase.(you may see liquid water pour from tailpipes of cars as they accelerate away from a stoplight).
The thermostat will allow the engine to reach an operating temperature which helps prevent any condensation from occurring in the crankcase which could ultimately ruin the motor oil and risk the engine.
If the cooling system is operating properly,there is no reason to remove the 'stat.