Sun Shade on a Pickup Truck: Good or Bad?
 

My '96 Silverado Pickup truck came with what I believe is called a sun shade. My guess is it isn't doing me any favors aerodynamically. If it isn't I'll delete.

Good or bad?

Please give explanation in addition to opinion. thx.

' sunshade '
 

Since the sunshade 'resides' within the 'forebody' of the truck, and the ground rules for road vehicle aerodynamics states that fully-attached flow exists without the 'need' of any added aftermarket device, then what enters the mind is; if you arbitrarily introduce some 'structure' into a region of perfectly-adequate airflow, are you running the risk of 'degrading' that airflow.
So far, the available literature says 'yes.'
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If the 'shade' were on the other 'end' of the cab, it might be 'angled', to create a primitive 'cab-wing', which has been verified by empirical tests at Texas Tech University to reduce drag.
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The only 'caveat' to this 'sun shade' question hinges on:
A) all driving is done at 'low' velocity
B) the sun is near zenith
C) it's Summer, and your running the AC
D) the 'shade' lowers the 'solar gain' into the cabin
E) which reduces the time the compressor is running
F) which cuts the engine load by around 3-horsepower
G) saving fuel!
As long as you don't get on the highway, where aerodynamic forces are greater, the sunshade could be of benefit.

Thanks aerohead, nicely put!

Sunshade scheduled for deletion.....

Or if alone, you could just use your Sunvisor when needed and forget about it.
I use mine 24/7.
Looks like a good surface to rest my head on in a head on crash.

Move it to the rear lip of the cab might actually save you some gas.

Yea, I was going to post the same thing.

Worked for me.

https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...1-a-19525.html
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media...4098079528.jpg