Pickup truck aerodynamics - Page 18 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

BlackGold6.4 · 12-21-2023, 11:14 AM

You bet @aerohead, the front damn area is my first place of attack, mostly due to the fact that I've ripped it off from off-roading. So the new frontal area will be removable in two pc's. I wont do this until the front bumper is changed to a high clearance bumper which is worse for highway mileage. I have experience with fibreglass moulds so my plan is to build a set that can be remove and replaced easy.

aerohead · 12-21-2023, 11:32 AM

Oh yeah!

I've only been able to fabricate just a few polyester RFP components using USG plaster-splash tooling, but they're my favorites
I've even used just a rich, Portland cement-based sand mix with acrylic admixture for female molds.
At ABARIS, we laid up, and vacuum-bagged/ autoclaved, pre-preg epoxy/ carbon-fiber within epoxy-faced plaster splashes.
Infinite possibilities with composites!

freebeard · 12-21-2023, 11:47 AM

Singer ACS:

https://www.goodwood.com/globalasset...d-15022021.jpg

Singer uses a diverter instead of an airdam.

BlackGold6.4 · 12-21-2023, 11:54 AM

Oh yeah..

so many possibilities, I also want to try working with poly-carbonate sheets or something like that cause there's so many options. That's for other parts of this Aero-Ram mileage improvement plan...

BlackGold6.4 · 12-21-2023, 11:58 AM

That is a sick looking car, you would love the winter roads we have with that car.. would be a blast

aerohead · 12-21-2023, 12:00 PM

Dedicated, non-legal-for-the-street race cars get to use aero-toys forbidden for the 'street'.
He's a really smart guy, and his custom Porsches, highly sought after.

BlackGold6.4 · 12-21-2023, 12:01 PM

So with a diverter I would need to smooth the air under the truck and that's not a good option with solid axles.

aerohead · 12-21-2023, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackGold6.4

Oh yeah..

so many possibilities, I also want to try working with poly-carbonate sheets or something like that cause there's so many options. That's for other parts of this Aero-Ram mileage improvement plan...

Some university: Solar, Shell Marathon, and SAE competition racers use polycarbonate 'bodies', vacuum-formed in local commercial sign companies near campus.
They have pretty enormous electric 'pizza-ovens' which soften the sheet until it 'droops', then it's quick-clamped over 'drilled', hollow wood or medium-density fiberboard female tooling, connected to a valve-sourced vacuum- accumulator.
Once the hot plastic hits the tooling, within a couple of minutes, they're ready for a pin-router trim fixture!
That'll be 'way' fun.

aerohead · 12-21-2023, 12:23 PM

For member BamZipPow's belly pan, the panels near the rear axle were 'attached' to it, with the 'ends' 'floating' within a horizontal 'slot' as the rear axle translated vertically on the leaf-springs, over bumps and pot-holes.

BlackGold6.4 · 12-21-2023, 01:18 PM

Well that's interesting about panels on solid axles.. but I have no leaf springs. 5 link coil overs in the rear and 3 link coils in the front. (this truck has articulation) I guess I could attach pivoting panels but due to the off-roading I do I don't think that is good option. Air damming the front and sides is about the best I can do, I think. Moon covers over the wheels is also an idea in interest too. But like I said all this aero idea stuff has to be easily removable from highway mode to killer off-road use.