Blocking grill for increased mileage???

[Tinman]

Does anyone have any real data as to whether blocking a portion of the 3rd Gen grille will increase mileage? I've read ideas and muttering of this so I looked at my 06 and noticed the outside 3rd of each side of the grille isn't really used by the CAC, radiator, etc. IF this where true, I thought about getting some 1/4 ABS black plastic sheets, cutting it to fit the back of the grille and screwing it to the back of the grille somehow to block out that outside third or so. Think it'd be worth the effort??

 

[AMcCormick]

Is this thought to increase areodynamics? Or is there another theory

 

[jelag]

The only real answers to this would come from some wind tunnel tests. .



I personally can't see any improvements from changing just a small portion of the grill... I think there would be more improvement from ground effects with the wind going under the truck...

 

[betterthanstock]

I've blocked off half the surface in winter, and the fan came on lots of times, killing some of the savings (if any).

You can try black painted cardboard for a couple of tanks, before you go ABS.

 

[BHaden]

The only real answers to this would come from some wind tunnel tests. .



I personally can't see any improvements from changing just a small portion of the grill... I think there would be more improvement from ground effects with the wind going under the truck...

Isn't there mention of a belly pan on the new 09 1500's ???

 

[JDiepstra]

Does anyone have any real data as to whether blocking a portion of the 3rd Gen grille will increase mileage? I've read ideas and muttering of this so I looked at my 06 and noticed the outside 3rd of each side of the grille isn't really used by the CAC, radiator, etc. IF this where true, I thought about getting some 1/4 ABS black plastic sheets, cutting it to fit the back of the grille and screwing it to the back of the grille somehow to block out that outside third or so. Think it'd be worth the effort??

This is only my opinion but I don't think it would do anything for you except tax the cooling system a little more. I understand the concept of not having the wind resistence going underhood, but if you are just blocking off a small area, rather than deflecting the air, you are still having to steamroll the big Dodge through the wind.

 

[jelag]

When we had trucks without intercoolers we used shields or winter fronts all winter long... . but with modern intercoolers and the need to keep intake air cooler, and the heat from the intercooler going into the radiator and engine compartment we've dropped the winter fronts from the new trucks...

Just my thoughts here. .

 

[MountainMan1]

A bit off topic!



A friend of mine owns a 204. 5 dually 4x2 that is stretched with a sleeper. He installed some big rig mud flaps hanging from the front bumper and insists his mileage increased loaded and empty. I haven't looked closely at the installation and don't know if he used stiffeners.



Peter

 

[steved]

I see a distinct decrease in mileage running with the grill blocked... I have the Lund winter fronts...

 

[RMarkey]

I think the belly pan or a skid plate of some kind would prob help aerodynamics some. I read an article once that said something along the lines of the underbody on pickups being the biggest problem with aerodynamics. And those of use who lift them are basiclly shooting ourselves in the foot when it comes to mpg. I know when I lifted mine and put bigger tires I lost a lot of mpg. I've always thought about fabbing a thin metal "skidplate" for most of the underside of my truck but figured the weight would cancel out the gains. Maybe ABS or something similar would be a good way to go.

 

[BillDriscoll]

Yep, more tape to the front and two rounds of track bar, but you might be a little loose off!!

BillD

 

[TimothyLong]

Bill - You stole my line!!

 

[captainmike]

Truck Aerodynamics

I share interest with all of you in improved milage for our much loved CTD trucks. But, as mentioned, they are trucks and that means the aerodynamics is not what you get with a Porsche. I am an aero engineer, by training and trade and few things will make a significant improvement in reduced Drag and improved MPG like SLOWING DOWN. Even 10 mph slower will make more difference than any aerodymanic changes you can make to your truck. Remember, drag is proportional to speed squared. So going faster costs a lot. Back to the partially blocking the grill. I don't thnik it is a good idea due to the protential problems with reduced cooling. The one thing That I did to my truck ('06 megacab) that did make a measurable mpg difference was a cargo cover, about 1 mpg improvemnnt. I'm interested in all ideas for improved mileage as I don't intend to stop driving my CTD. Oh yes, diesel prices are down to $4. 15/gal in Homestead, FL.

 

[cksh8me]

I saw a CTD with ground effects or whatever you want to call them. They went around the front bumper and he had them run the length under the truck. The owner claimed 2 mpg better. He has a steel fabrication business in Idaho and runs loaded quite a bit.

 

[Tinman]

I agree that cleaning up the air under the truck would help a lot. But how to do that with a SFA truck with a little lift? (Yes, lowering the truck would help, but adversely effect suspension performance. ) This maybe something the bumper guys could work on?? When I look at my truck, I see that the intercooler edges end at nearly mid way on each side of the grill. So, if improvements could be made by not allowing some air thru the outside of the grill area, I don't think intake air density or coolant performance would be compromised. I may play with this a little, but right now I'm doing serveral other things that may improve mileage, such as Smarty tuning.

 

[RMarkey]

When I look at my truck, I see that the intercooler edges end at nearly mid way on each side of the grill. So, if improvements could be made by not allowing some air thru the outside of the grill area, I don't think intake air density or coolant performance would be compromised.

But don't forget about your cold air intake on the pass side, you don't want to force the motor to pull more hot air from the engine compartment, or worse yet restrict flow.

 

[Tinman]

I thought about that but 1. ) have a PSM intake so cold air comes in from below and 2. ) I would think cool air would come in around the "blocking" of that side of the grill since I would only go to the edge of the intake ducting.