using a pickup truck air dam on a car?

[chynewalkr]

Hi,

Been following on the site for years, just registered today.

anyhow, I have a 2000 Impala and was wondering if anyone has ever taken the airdam off a pickup and put it on a car?

I am thinking the air dam off a fullsize would go all the way across the front of the impala (66"), verses the stock airdam that is very small, but I have yet to measure a fullsize air dam yet. anyone have a truck they could measure?

I have seen the landscaping rubber airdams people make, I think my idea would look more oem

Sound good??

[oil pan 4]

Thats not a bad idea.
It would look a lot like an OE part for that vehicle and that is always good.
Most of the time we make air dams out of what we have laying around or what we can find at lowes.
I am sure you will have to cut it down and make some screw holes.

[larrybuck]

Sounds great! Easier to cut down then to add.

Are you getting that 29mpg w your 'Burb ? At what speed, and what are your mods?
3.73 Diff.? I have '85 w 6.2 K model w manual hubs, small low tires, great mpg potential!
Changing thread subject, PM me?

[mcrews]

Welcome aboard!

I wanted to replace my factory grill (straight bars across) with a mesh aftermarket grill. I found out that they dont make one.
So I decided I would find a car with a similar size (a little larger) grill opening, then order the mesh grill for THAT car and resize it to fit.

I bought a mini keyring tape measure and walked around for a month in parking lots measureing grills (quickly!!!)
Finally found the dodge charger grill would work. Ordered one for $70 and cut it to fit.

I would recomment you start looking at the fron of trucks etc....and carry a tqpe measure!!!






there is a clear lexan shield behind the grill.

[chynewalkr]

I took a tape to work today and measured a coworkers mid 1990's chevy 1500 air dam. With a little cutting and drilling it should work well. I have no doubts it will go across the full width of the front of the car.

Now I need to find one. Rockauto sells them new for $16.00, however with shipping it comes close to $70.00 ouch. Off to the bone yard or maybe ebay.

mcrews, I really like your grill! Much nicer than the OEM one. That is another area I want to work on also. I want a grill that I can open and close, similar to the way the new chevy cruise grill closes at high speeds.

[tru]

my experience this past week with a lawn edge air dam was a reduction in mpg's at speed. I think my car is fairly clean under neath and the dam increased frontal area and didnt reduce CD enough to justify it. I modded the Dam this weekend to only block the front tires and will see how that works out when i get my scan gauge back...

[chynewalkr]

I think the air dam works differently on different cars. My father added one on his dodge dakota and it made a difference. let me know how the dam in front of the tires works, it is an interesting concept

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by tru

my experience this past week with a lawn edge air dam was a reduction in mpg's at speed...

That sure was unexpected.

The lawn edging spoiler on my S-10 (see link in my signature below) adds several mpg.

Mcrews, nice looking grille!

[mcrews]

thanks george!

It actually turned out very well. The slight angle of the mesh was perfect for the slight angle on my front.
And it is a study abs material.
I keep getting tempted to get the chrome one and see how it looks!!

[tru]

Originally Posted by chynewalkr

I think the air dam works differently on different cars. My father added one on his dodge dakota and it made a difference. let me know how the dam in front of the tires works, it is an interesting concept

it seems to be the same as stock, and maybe better. I got my gauge back last night, coasts seem a little longer. I think the design lends itself to a air deflector more than an air dam. (if that makes sense)


heres an artistic rendering, the shape of the deflector follows the curve of the car all the way to the front wheel well to almost follow the template in plan view.