Modifying S10 Tailgate - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Caps18 · 07-22-2010, 10:18 PM

I have an S10, and I am looking to improve on the current stock one I have. It is heavy, and catches a lot of air (and I know that it needs to catch some air).

So, I have been looking for a lightweight aluminum one with no success (except for one: DOUBLEGATE HINGED FLOW-THRU OR SOLID 5 WHEEL TAILGATE E - JCWhitney)

I was also considering a fiberglass one with air pass-through holes, but couldn't find any for sale (I'm not surprised however). It wouldn't be cheap either.

My other option is to strip my existing tailgate down and cut it up. But, I'm a little worried about rust, even if I paint some of the bedliner stuff on it.

Do you guys have any ideas?

BamZipPow · 07-22-2010, 11:10 PM

A S10 truck? Why not angle the tailgate?

Droptail is an expensive motorized method...

bhazard · 07-23-2010, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

A S10 truck? Why not angle the tailgate?

Droptail is an expensive motorized method...

You gotta be kidding me... "active spoiler"???!!!

I thought it was proven that the best mpg comes from having a full tailgate in the closed position. I still see plenty of rednecks with their tailgate down or out thinking their lifted 4x4 is gonna magically cost them $20 less at the pump.

Caps18 · 07-23-2010, 01:09 AM

Are there any special 'racing' tailgates for pickup trucks?

And I think they found that the net was the most efficient.

Frank Lee · 07-23-2010, 02:57 AM

Did I log on to Gassavers by mistake?

PaleMelanesian · 07-23-2010, 10:50 AM

In most cases, tailgate up is the best option. If you want to mod for better mileage, try some of these instead.

Clev · 07-23-2010, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhazard

I still see plenty of rednecks with their tailgate down or out thinking their lifted 4x4 is gonna magically cost them $20 less at the pump.

I thought that they do it so they can drive like assholes and nobody can see their license plate.

gasstingy · 07-23-2010, 02:51 PM

Without regard for Mythbusters saying an open tailgate doesn't help fuel economy, I believe it does. I bought a 1992 4.3L V6/Automatic S-10 new and made several trips on I-75 at about 70 MPH. With the tailgate closed (bed empty) I got 19 mpg. With the tailgate down (bed still empty) I got 26 mpg. Both trips using cruise control. My commuting mpg was 21 with the tailgate in either position, speed rarely over 50 mph.

I'd lower the tailgate if I was going very fast until I came up with a better solution. Then there are lightweight mesh "tailgates" that may also show substantial improvement.

busypaws · 07-23-2010, 04:05 PM

On my Toyota it is simple to remove/install tailgate. The tailgate sits in the garage except for those 3-4 times a year where I'm hauling dirt, tree limbs etc. Then I got one of those nets just to keep the small stuff from sliding out when I don't have the tailgate.

Skulldragger · 07-23-2010, 05:47 PM

Well, I have tried this on 2 different trucks now, the first one was a 2000 Nissan Frontier v6 with tires that were too big for their own good. (looked good though) The tail gate up cost me ~10mpg in EVERY tank of gas I tested. Not only that I could feel the drag difference enough to tell if someone shut the stupid thing for me with out even looking.

With my new truck, (new to me anyway 125k miles) 2001 Chevy Z71 I feel no different but notice that according to the scan gauge I LOOSE 1-2 MPG with the gate DOWN. I was quite surprised but even tested it by stopping and switching it and going back down the same road a few times to make sure it wasn't just me.

I think it just depends on the design of the truck and the way the air flows around it. I think I would have found that the Nissan would have done even better still if I had a full bed cover and left the gate up but the truck was beat to death before I could get around to that and had to be traded off.