Front air dam - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tom · 03-20-2004, 05:26 AM

I see it perfect on the passenger side

Russell · 03-20-2004, 05:32 AM

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...

Low_Life86 · 03-29-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slonaker

If you plan to buy one....you can get the one for the 4wd and it will hang a litle lower. It fits the same, and the cost was the same at the dealer. Thiis a oic of the 4wd spoiler on my 2wd, dropped 2.5 inches.

Slonaker

where would could i get that 4x4 one from online

AntiGov · 03-29-2013, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low_Life86

where would could i get that 4x4 one from online

Lmc has them I believe

JellyBeanDriver · 05-28-2013, 01:32 AM

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?

Slonaker · 05-28-2013, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low_Life86

where would could i get that 4x4 one from online

Wow! I posted that over NINE years ago! I bought mine from the dealer, but I doubt they carry them any more. I agree that LMC should have them...

Slonaker

Keith Seymore · 05-28-2013, 07:06 AM

Quote:

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 · 05-28-2013, 07:14 AM

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...
Posted via Mobile Device

DREAMER1 · 05-28-2013, 09:34 AM

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
Posted via Mobile Device

gchemist · 05-28-2013, 10:45 AM

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 · 05-28-2013, 12:55 PM

Quote:

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
Posted via Mobile Device

Rich84 · 05-28-2013, 02:21 PM

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.

motornut · 05-28-2013, 04:26 PM

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)

Mikec10 · 05-28-2013, 04:33 PM

I have one

Posted via Mobile Device

cory d · 05-28-2013, 07:25 PM

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

JellyBeanDriver · 06-01-2013, 10:58 PM

Quote:

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...
Posted via Mobile Device

What was your 85'? 2 or 4WD? What drop was the air dam? (5-1/2"?)

bigd65 · 06-02-2013, 07:19 AM

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
Posted via Mobile Device

JellyBeanDriver · 06-02-2013, 06:40 PM

Quote:

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
Posted via Mobile Device

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 · 06-02-2013, 06:51 PM

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 · 06-03-2013, 03:14 AM

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
Posted via Mobile Device

03-20-2004, 05:26 AM	#26
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,756	I see it perfect on the passenger side __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

03-20-2004, 05:32 AM	#27
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	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... __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

05-28-2013, 01:32 AM	#30
JellyBeanDriver Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: United States Posts: 268	Re: Front air dam 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? __________________ 86' C30 Dually Crew Cab Ranch truck, carb'd 454, TH400, towing a slant load 4 horse trailer.

05-28-2013, 07:14 AM	#33
bigd65 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Clute, TX. Posts: 1,935	Re: Front air dam 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... Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 2004 Silverado Crewcab 1972 Chevy Monte Carlo 2017 Chevy Tahoe

05-28-2013, 09:34 AM	#34
DREAMER1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: baytown, texas Posts: 310	Re: Front air dam 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 Posted via Mobile Device

05-28-2013, 10:45 AM	#35
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Front air dam 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. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

05-28-2013, 02:21 PM	#37
Rich84 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Woodbury, Ct. Posts: 1,702	Re: Front air dam 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.

05-28-2013, 04:26 PM	#38
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Front air dam 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) __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

05-28-2013, 04:33 PM	#39
Mikec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 293	Re: Front air dam I have one Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1980 C10 SWB Yukon 5.3/5 speed 3.73 gears.

05-28-2013, 07:25 PM	#40
cory d Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arlington WA Posts: 1,728	Re: Front air dam i have thought about making one out of conveyor belt so i can smash it all i want __________________ GMC C15 355 SM465 3.73 80 C10 cruiser build thread 79 short stepside crew cab. big and ugly. build thread

06-02-2013, 07:19 AM	#42
bigd65 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Clute, TX. Posts: 1,935	Re: Front air dam 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 Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 2004 Silverado Crewcab 1972 Chevy Monte Carlo 2017 Chevy Tahoe

06-02-2013, 06:51 PM	#44
cedens Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 122	Re: Front air dam 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!

06-03-2013, 03:14 AM	#45
INSIDIOUS '86 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: washington Posts: 4,178	Re: Front air dam 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 Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511



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