Front air dam

[Tom]

Yo da man mike

[bagged78]

Originally posted by Tom
Anyone running one with a 5.5" front drop?

I'm on my third one!! Five bucks at the bone yard... Some are cracked, but it will be cracked later on anyways..
I noticed a big difference on the freeway after I put one on, it just felt more stable at speed, not sure on gas milage..

[bagged78]

Just noticed that you really can't see the air damn in that pic!! Sorry..

[Tom]

I see it perfect on the passenger side

[Russell]

I've got one on my 3/4 ton, and compared to other similar trucks without them, mine is a whole lot more stable at high speeds on the highway. Other truck's noses lift way up when at high speeds without it...

[JellyBeanDriver]

I'm looking to put an air dam on our 86'. She's suffering from a creeping radiator temp at freeway speeds, going uphill, towing a fully loaded horse trailer.

Can someone tell me how this thing would bolt up? Does it also block off the gap below the front of the radiator to the bumper? Seems if the air dam only bolted to the bumper, that wouldn't do much good as the radiator is behind both the bumper and the air dam. Air hitting the front of the radiator could just flow below it, exiting into the low pressure area behind the air dam instead of being forced through the radiator and then exiting the rear of the radiator into the low pressure area.

Anyone have close up photos?

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by JellyBeanDriver

I'm looking to put an air dam on our 86'. She's suffering from a creeping radiator temp at freeway speeds, going uphill, towing a fully loaded horse trailer.

Can someone tell me how this thing would bolt up? Does it also block off the gap below the front of the radiator to the bumper? Seems if the air dam only bolted to the bumper, that wouldn't do much good as the radiator is behind both the bumper and the air dam. Air hitting the front of the radiator could just flow below it, exiting into the low pressure area behind the air dam instead of being forced through the radiator and then exiting the rear of the radiator into the low pressure area.

Anyone have close up photos?

You are correct.

Air dams that are installed for engine cooling are mounted below the radiator support (to force air up into the radiator). This is the style used on 1980 and earlier.

Air dams that are mounted below the front bumper are for aero (and subsequent drag and fuel economy improvements) and do not help engine cooling, as seen on '81 and up.

K

[bigd65]

I removed mine on my 85 and had cool oing problems... I put it back on and problem was gone. Not saying that they are the whole cooling system but they are a key...
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[JellyBeanDriver]

Originally Posted by bigd65

I removed mine on my 85 and had cool oing problems... I put it back on and problem was gone. Not saying that they are the whole cooling system but they are a key...
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What was your 85'? 2 or 4WD? What drop was the air dam? (5-1/2"?)

[DREAMER1]

I didn't see much difference in mine. Looked cool, but that was it. The one downfall I had was I had a 4.5 drop. Trying to get my jack under the crossmember was impossible. Mines an '85 and it bolts directly to the bottom of the bumper
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[gchemist]

Don't install a 4X4 air dam on a lowered truck!! It will add drag resistance!! I tried it and my truck slowed down!! I even felt the resistance a highway speeds. When down to a 4X2 air and speed increased!! Definately works!! I just hate high curbs and bumps. I scrap it all the time.

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by gchemist

Don't install a 4X4 air dam on a lowered truck!! It will add drag resistance!! I tried it and my truck slowed down!! I even felt the resistance a highway speeds. When down to a 4X2 air and speed increased!! Definately works!! I just hate high curbs and bumps. I scrap it all the time.

Must have been a windy day
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[motornut]

watch the fit
my 89 is not the same as my 88,bumper changed so did the dam dam lol
so wouild it help cooling (under rad)or air flow (bumper)
to add the 88 one to the 78(cut to fit)

[Rich84]

I think that LMC sells a shorter one for lowered trucks..I was going to give that one try. I was thinking that it would be difficult to jack up with the full size one.

[Mikec10]

I have one

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[cory d]

i have thought about making one out of conveyor belt so i can smash it all i want

[bigd65]

It was stock heights in front... Only 2 inch shackles in the rear and was the stuck air dam. Didnt make sense at the time... But when I put it back on, the temp went back down. Don't get me wrong, wasn't OVER HEATING, would just heat up farther driving down the road. I was told it was because I had removed the air dam. I put it back on and all was fine
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[JellyBeanDriver]

Originally Posted by bigd65

It was stock heights in front... Only 2 inch shackles in the rear and was the stuck air dam. Didnt make sense at the time... But when I put it back on, the temp went back down. Don't get me wrong, wasn't OVER HEATING, would just heat up farther driving down the road. I was told it was because I had removed the air dam. I put it back on and all was fine
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Thanks. I'm debating what to do first - add an air dam or put in a 2 row aluminum + plastic tanked radiator. Seems an air dam would help some as that cross member hangs down so low.

[cedens]

I think at 110 you will be getting Gallons Per Mile .... can't imagine the fuel bill, half way on a 20 mile trip to town you would have to switch tanks!

[INSIDIOUS '86]

I've had mine off. I rebuilt my suspension and noticed no diff at 110 on an empty freeway vs it on. Other than the fact I like the way it looks with it on a lot better on. Granted my truck is lowered a lot from factory height so air doesn't Get under as much anyways. I was thinking of going with the 4x4 front dam and going 1.5 inches lower with a sectioned crossmember. Should put that dam about 2.5 inches off the ground lol
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