Airtabs

[skag1T]

Has anybody tried to install airtabs on the 4runner ?

Airtab | Aerodynamic Fuel Savers | How Airtabs Work

I am trying to reduce the amount of dust that the rear window and bumper collects when driving on a dirt road. I go offroad quite often and my rear window gets completely covered in dust, even when i drive slowly.

I am thinking, if these things work, they might slightly change the flow of air and reduce the turbulence created arouind the rear window.

These would go on the roof, around the fin antenna, and maybe a couple on the sides. They can be bought individually and are about $3.- a piece.

What do you guys think....

 

[fkheath]

Has anybody tried to install airtabs on the 4runner ?

Airtab | Aerodynamic Fuel Savers | How Airtabs Work

I am trying to reduce the amount of dust that the rear window and bumper collects when driving on a dirt road. I go offroad quite often and my rear window gets completely covered in dust, even when i drive slowly.

I am thinking, if these things work, they might slightly change the flow of air and reduce the turbulence created arouind the rear window.

These would go on the roof, around the fin antenna, and maybe a couple on the sides. They can be bought individually and are about $3.- a piece.

What do you guys think....

There is very little you can do to improve the fuel economy of the 4Runner simply because it is a big brick of an SUV. I doubt that these things would work.

Just keep in mind that, for cars, Toyota is THE master of aerodynamics to improve gas mileage, having come out with the first hybrid car (Prius). Anything to improve the aerodynamics of the 4Runner has probably already been done by the factory.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

If they helped they would have been on the vehicle.

 

[JaSC1]

Has anybody tried to install airtabs on the 4runner ?

Airtab | Aerodynamic Fuel Savers | How Airtabs Work

I am trying to reduce the amount of dust that the rear window and bumper collects when driving on a dirt road. I go offroad quite often and my rear window gets completely covered in dust, even when i drive slowly.

I am thinking, if these things work, they might slightly change the flow of air and reduce the turbulence created arouind the rear window.

These would go on the roof, around the fin antenna, and maybe a couple on the sides. They can be bought individually and are about $3.- a piece.

What do you guys think....

Might work for keeping back window from getting trashed. Something to try as I do enjoy window being partially down in early summer/spring. I would not look for any fuel advantage though.

 

[fourwd1]

Moving to General Discussion.

 

[rdruss]

Put them on and document your experience, keep us posted. The reason devices like this are popular on semi-trucks, if they work, is that when you are burning 200-500 gallons of fuel per day at 4.50/gal and getting 5.5 mpg, anything that will get you to 5.75 mpg is worth it.

 

[Reinout]

It'll definitely work, but at what cost? I see that the Airtabs are inexpensive at just under $3/piece. How much will/might you save? it's probably a flush, plus I think it'll look... different.

The truck would probably gain more gas mileage with a good front valance.

 

[lewdog998]

interesting.....Like others, i think fuel savings would be negligible, but at that low cost of entry it would be easy to experiment with on a dusty road with the rear window down. If there is not a truly noticable reduction in dust trying to coming the back, then I would say its not worth it. BUT if there is...then there is some evidence that it reduces the turbulent vortices at the rear.

I say you go for it and let us know what happens.

 

[skag1T]

Like I said in my original post, I am NOT looking for fuel savings (even though the airtabs are advertised as saving fuel) - I am only thinking about this as a possibility to avoid all that dust getting on my back window, If the airtabs reduce the turbulence created by the air flowing over the edge of the hatch.