Ute Aerodynamics?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JacobLeSann

I love EFi. My little Aprilia has it and I love being able to start my bike just like my car. On the flip side I’ve never tuned EFi systems nor do I know much; they just don’t really cause me issues.

Even though a good old carburettor may have its appeal for old-school DIYers, as it can be tuned with simpler tools, it's undeniable EFI has its benefits for the average Joe who doesn't want frequent tuning, altitude compensations or any other issue.

[JacobLeSann]

Took me forever to find this thread, been meaning to report back. I bought a 2008 CBR125R about a month or two ago, and loaded it into my mom’s Colorado. Great truck for hauling bikes! Meh gas mileage. Like maybe 18-20 MPG average with the Vortec five cylinder. Anyways, that bike is great, but because it has the letter “R” in its name, my insurance company tells me it’ll cost me $964-1100 CAD to have it registered for a year. My heart dropped. My dad’s Harley is cheaper!

In anger, grew resistance. I browsed around for a 60’s-80’s Honda Cub variant, as those have dirt-cheap insurance. I also looked at Honda Elite/Helix variants, but wow are they overpriced! $2500-3500 for on of those! After wincing at used prices for barn-junkers, I found a Yamaha YG1 for $900. Great bike!

Picked it up with that same truck, and once again loved it. I made a half-tonneau with what I had, but it wasn’t rigid enough. Ended up forming a cup-shape. Truck averaged 18-22 MPG according to the scangauge.


Anyways, I’ve come to hate my insurance company as well as love small trucks! I want to try again with this Ute idea.

[JacobLeSann]

[IMG]


Those are various ideas I have. The cybertruck and its sliding panels were mentioned in this thread, and I should consider those as well.

I’ve been looking at different types of design:

-Flying buttresses and a spoiler, like the Europa. The Holden Maloo R8 is very close to that. The 1st Gen Ridgeline lacks the spoiler, but does have the extended C-pillars with a sloped tonneau cover.

-A notch-back rear windshield with a tonneau cover. I was looking at older 70’s-80’s notchbacks. GM did it with the Monte Carlo Aerocoupe. I seen that solar racer as an example.

-Having multiple bed toppers for various occasions. This makes sense to me, and I think a modular car would be cool. The Nissan Pulsar did that. But it’s kind of annoying to configure everything all the time.


Lemme know any thoughts.

[freebeard]

I think you should get that Beetle.


https://external-content.duckduckgo....be6&ipo=images

But if you want it modular, start with a flatbed.


https://i.pinimg.com/originals/63/69...7d53af334f.jpg

Use a Type III engine with side-draft carb/EFI.

.

[JacobLeSann]

You know, if I did get that beetle I would’ve loved to use it as a street-legal dune buggy platform. Would be cool to take the Baja Bug designs and tone them down into a WRC Rally Bug.

I took too long to go check it out, though. Went to a different nephew, haha.

I don’t mind, as I’ve got too much stuff. OTOH, I seen a 1974 Fiat 124 Spyder dropping down to $2300 CAD. Very little rust and it runs. I’ve also seen some cheap VWs with the Meyers Manx kits. Hell, I think I seen one of those sport-coupe kit cars on that same chassis for cheap as well. Not the Amante, but a more rounded (kinda uglier) one with headlights like an old 300z. Seen some Triumph cars too.


But yeah, too much stuff! I want to get back into smaller vehicles, and have an efficient vehicle to haul them around. Much cheaper/easier to horde bicycles than cars. Would love to drive to B.C. with some bicycles in the back and hit the trails.

___________________________

But I digress. I wonder if a notchback design could work for transitioning air over the roof and to the tonneau cover.. In general, I’ve been avoiding large rear windshields because I want low weight/low drag as a combo. One idea comes from the 2nd Gen Camaro, and it’s shared with the GM Impact/Ev1. I wonder if this could work.





The Monte Carlo could be a good way to better explain what I’m thinking of.

[aerohead]

I have blueprints for both, and both, from roof apex-to-rear tearing edge are 'contained' within the AST-III.
The 1967 Europa was reported at Cd 0.29, one of the earliest production cars to have such a Cd.
And 'best' car I've ever driven!

[JacobLeSann]

I’ve heard that about the Europa. I don’t quite like the original look but I love the Chip Foose and the Rei Amemiya redesigns.

aerohead, do you have any papers that describe the Europa’s aerodynamics? I know the car was done without a wind tunnel, which is impressive.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JacobLeSann

You know, if I did get that beetle I would’ve loved to use it as a street-legal dune buggy platform. Would be cool to take the Baja Bug designs and tone them down into a WRC Rally Bug.

I also enjoy classic Volkswagens, so I guess you might understand why a double-cab Transporter is one of the vehicles I like the most. Sure the Beetle is still cool, but a double-cab Transporter would be a perfect "truggy" with some useful hauling ability. Maybe not exactly great when it comes to aerodynamics, yet not so disappointing at all. Plus with the tailgate and both bedsides down drag won't be so awful

[Piotrsko]

Theres a gate sided ty2 double cab down the street. Take the sides off and it <might> be more aero.

[freebeard]

In it's day the Crew-cab was the ultimate vewhicle if you could only have one. Seating for 4-5+, pickup bed and lockable storage.

Here's what Chip Foose did with the Myers Manx:



Ruxton headlghts with external aeerodynamic ducting? I am so Okay with that.