Remove Gobi Air Dam for Better MPG?

[bass-o-matic]

I have a 2002 with a Gobi and my mileage took a pretty good hit. My bro said, "Brap, take off that $)(*)(#& Air dam".

What are your thoughts Hobson?

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Did you install the rack/dam at the same time as those NGK wires? Are they the RC-TE66 wires?

 

[bass-o-matic]

No sir. Did those wired right when I got the truck.

 

[JohnMc]

It might get worse. The spoiler/air thing hits a bunch of wind, but otherwise it's going to hit lots of pipes and bars instead. It's possible the air damn is aerodynamically cleaner than they are.

 

[nissanh]

What's your MPG? City/highway? I get 12.5 city (3.5 mile commute each way) and 17.7 on highway 68 MPH with slight lift and AT Cooper tires 265 75 16 (V6).

 

[Horsethief]

It might get worse. The spoiler/air thing hits a bunch of wind, but otherwise it's going to hit lots of pipes and bars instead. It's possible the air damn is aerodynamically cleaner than they are.

I always thought the fairings were more for noise reduction (and a place to put sick stickers, bro) than aero.

OP, I'd go Mythbusters on it and get a baseline mpg number with it on, then run the same route at the same speed with it off and compare.

I've read on other forums that fairing or no, the rack kills your mileage in general. It's just to what degree is the question here.

Lately I've been wondering which is better, the rack or one of the slimline Thule type cargo boxes. The rack looks cooler, but for carrying extra gear I'd prefer the box to keep cargo dry and more secure.

If you decide to keep the rack and ditch the fairing, the front of the rack makes a nice place for some LED lights or lightbar (I can't stand the windshield mounted ones)

 

[bass-o-matic]

I went from 20 hwy to 16. No joke.

And FYI. Towing I get 10-12. But to be fair I never towed before I had the rack so no data there.

My trailer is 9 feet high so... doubt anything will help that.

 

[Horsethief]

I went from 20 hwy to 16. No joke.

And FYI. Towing I get 10-12. But to be fair I never towed before I had the rack so no data there.

My trailer is 9 feet high so... doubt anything will help that.

That's crazy.

I'd lose the rack for daily driving, and just put it on when it's needed. Then again, I don't know how hard the install is.