Air Dam Removal - Did You or Not?

[glocke12]

Not to raise alarm or correlate on one tank of gas….Since purchasing my TRD Sport on July 3rd, avg. MPG 21.9. I removed the air dam and installed the TRD front skid and ARB roof rack early September. First full tank MPG 19.6 with similar driving. Will report back next couple of tanks as we are heading to Delaware shore next week from N. Va.

I think I read somewhere (maybe in this thread) that the air dam gives on average 0.7 mph better gas mileage.

Honestly, once you get down to the low 20's, losing another 1.3 mpg isn't really that big of a deal.

I still have my air dam, and I have the TRD front skid installed as well and the best I've been able to get in terms of mpg is 20.7. On my 5th gen I averaged around 25 mpg and I am still surprised that the 6th gen gets WORSE gas mileage, but considering that the 6th gen is in every way a better vehicle (other than the stupid way the rear seats fold) than the 5th gen I guess I am ok with it.

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[jjbailey930]

I think I read somewhere (maybe in this thread) that the air dam gives on average 0.7 mph better gas mileage.

Honestly, once you get down to the low 20's, losing another 1.3 mpg isn't really that big of a deal.

I still have my air dam, and I have the TRD front skid installed as well and the best I've been able to get in terms of mpg is 20.7. On my 5th gen I averaged around 25 mpg and I am still surprised that the 6th gen gets WORSE gas mileage, but considering that the 6th gen is in every way a better vehicle (other than the stupid way the rear seats fold) than the 5th gen I guess I am ok with it.

Very weird about 5th gen higher MPG than 6. My daughter has 2019 Off Road and gets like 16-18 in suburban Richmond.

 

[danimaldaisy]

Just thought I would make a poll here to see who has and hasn’t removed their front air dam!

I’m torn on whether I would like to get rid of mine or not. Also, this may be a stupid question, but does the air dam actually protect against anything? Or is it purely for aerodynamics/fuel efficiency?

Thanks!

It’s supposed to be for fuel efficiency however I removed it on my 2016 Tacoma and no change in gas mileage. I took mine off my 4 runner as soon as I got it home.

 

[JackedAcctnt]

yes I did. Only takes like 15-20 minutes to remove.

 

[spwaca]

Tonight, on Sunday night football, they had an ad for the 6th gen 4r, and it didn’t have the air dam.

 

[glocke12]

I took mine to get the undercarriage wool wax treated at a local shop and had the guy remove the air dam.

Vehicle certainly looks more aggressive, and I know its my imagination but I swear it feels like it drives differently...

On another note, I now have one more item taking up space in my already packed garage. Those that removed them, what did you do with yours ?

Also, I had the guy put the bolts for it back in the vehicle, but is there anything else under there that should be covered/sealed to keep out road debris ?

 

[drNick]

It gives around half a mile per gallon extra, but only while driving on the highway. I keep it on, but if going to off road, will be taking it off.

 

[GrayWulf]

First thing I did when I got home. Took it off. Mpg is around 21 on the highway 17 around town.

 

[Qbania]

Glad I did not need to…

 

[kdfhuey]

Don’t know why people care so much about the air dam. Doesn’t bother me at all but you do you.

 

[BostonSR5]

Took mine off this weekend when adding Rival skid plates. I didn’t mind the dam, but it’s definitely a cleaner look without.

 

[6thGen1419]

Just thought I would make a poll here to see who has and hasn’t removed their front air dam!

I’m torn on whether I would like to get rid of mine or not. Also, this may be a stupid question, but does the air dam actually protect against anything? Or is it purely for aerodynamics/fuel efficiency?

Thanks!

I kept mine on for a 2525 mile road trip and now have taken it off for daily driving and for easier under access to make oil changes easier. I'll probably put it back on just for any future road trips and then take it off again.

 

[quadna71]

On another note, I now have one more item taking up space in my already packed garage. Those that removed them, what did you do with yours ?

I cut the outer foot or so off each side then trimmed the center section to only about 1" tall and reinstalled it. I didn't like the way the plastic trim below the bumper in the center seemed loose when not bolted to anything and everything seems tighter when the center is bolted back on.

Our 4Runner isn't our daily driver so any change in fuel economy won't bug me too much. But I can see me ripping it off right away in a rut while in the sand on the beach so figured I would get ahead of it by changing how much it hangs down.

 

[ToYoDaMan]

Taken off before the purchased month was over. The overall look is night and day. Well worth the loss in MPG! screws back in place:

 

[BerkRunner]

I took mine off when I installed the Rival skid plates. I cut a piece of the air dam to attach just to give a little protection from rocks and debris. I’m working on an install video of the skid plates which should be available soon.

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