T-100 belly pan and side skirts...

[BamZipPow]

Here's what the front pan (air dam and engine bay pans) looks like after today...

[add|ct]

Wow, that's impressive craftsmanship!

[Ryanrpm]

Keep the progress pictures coming! And, let us know if you get any gains out of it too.

[BamZipPow]

Took my topper off and went fer a 450 mile trip configured like this...and got 22.2 mpg cruising at 70mph.


Came back configured like this...got 24.5mpg cruising at 70mph.

[Ryanrpm]

That's pretty good, keep it up. Your T100 is a v6, 2x4?

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by Ryanrpm

That's pretty good, keep it up. Your T100 is a v6, 2x4?

Yes...it's a V6 2WD aka 4x2. All the T-100 extended cabs were the 3.4L V6.

[BamZipPow]

On my trip out to and back from Los Angeles...my side skirts had a tendency to come off and drag. Since this is all experimental...it wasn't a total loss. It did scrape on the speed bumps in the parking lots. The foam part on the passenger side did snap off after the coroplast got peeled back. If I left the front mud flaps on...it probably would've protected it a little better.

So I would still consider it a success...needs more work fer the moment.

[benfrogg]

Have you ever tried running at lower highway speeds? Out of curiosity, what rpm is the motor at at 70?
I wonder what the FE savings would be at 60 or even 65.
B

[benfrogg]

Nevermind, I looked at your log! Pretty impressive results for that truck. Where you hauling any weight?

[BamZipPow]

I only had my standard load of tools and gear. About 300 lbs or so of stuff in the back.

Currently have all my side skirts and belly pan off fer the moment while I git ready to fab up in aluminum framing and sheeting. To separate the front belly pan from the main belly pan, I'm putting in a crossmember so I can take one off without messing the other.

My design will also allow me to take either belly pan off with about 4 bolts.

During the course of my testing, I tried different speeds to see what effect it would have. Even got pulled by a sheriff fer doing 51mph in a 40mph (min)-70mph (limit) zone at night. What a crock that was...