Lost Bug Shield, gained mileage!

[Archive]

In Joe D’s article about fuel economy in the last TDR issue, he addresses bug shields as a possible detriment to mileage. Well, when I purchased by ’96 (used), the previous owner had installed a bug shield, with “wings” over the headlights. After reading Joe’s article, (I had also read the TSB concerning mirror shake and bug shields), I decided to remove the shields.

First of all, I wish they's never been installed. They ostensibly claim to prevent rock chips. Well, upon removal, I found a line of ground-off paint just above the grill. Dirt that had filtered down into the “V” between the hood and the shield had acted like sandpaper and ruined the paint. I'd take the rock chips, please! Oh well, it’s four years old and the paint is not perfect anyway. But if I’d have payed 30k for my truck, I'd be furious!!

But the BIG NEWS is: I picked up ONE MPG!! #ad
Now, more testing is in order, as this was just two tanks of mixed city/highway driving. But here are the preliminary results: I went from (average) 19. 1 mpg to 20. 2 mpg. I also noticed much less wind noise and buffeting. I can actually ride with my windows down at highway speeds, without getting my eardrums blown out.

According to Joe D. , the second generation Ram was highly developed in the wind tunnel, and anything you do to upset the airflow, upsets the mileage. My best friend has a ’98. 5 3500, and just could not understand why he lost 1. 5 mpg after he mounted a Ranchhand type bumper. I sent him the article!!

I'm not knocking anyone's choice of accessories, but if you're looking to increase mileage, try it! It might work for you, too!


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'96 Regular Cab, 113. 5K, SLT 2WD auto 3. 54, Vista topper, Pillar-mounted Autometer Boost/Pyro, transmission temp and oil pressure guages under dash, starwheel spun

 

[Archive]

Jim,

Good post. I've had a bug shield on my hood (Mopar model w/"wings") since I purchased the truck. I've taken it off, periodically, to buff it out to factory shine ("Novus" plastic polish #2) because after a year or so of being sandblasted by road dirt and debris (plus UV degradation) it looks pretty bad.

I can relate to your point of view, believe me. There is a definite trade-off for protecting the hood's paint and for deflecting bugs from your windshield. I think there is something majorly wrong with your deflector, though, if it's messed up the paint the way you describe; mine's been on for close to 4 years, now, and my paint looks "factory" when I take the deflector off.

I am careful to clean the truck's hood behind the deflector when I wash it, weekly, though. I use one of those wash "mitts" that is big, flat, and very absorbent. I load it with water and slide it carefully along behind the deflector, then hose out everything, very thoroughly. Personally, I think the deflectors look like crap. I also don't like the mirror vibrations and the mileage sacrifice. For me, though, keeping the rock chips away from the truck is a real benefit. The deflectors protect not only the leading edge, but the entire body of the hood. I have run too many trucks (lots of gravel trucks/construction in my area) that have been "trashed" by careless commercial construction haulers who don't bother to clean the treads of their dozers (or floors of their flatbed trailers) before pulling out onto the highway.

For me, the deflector is a "necessary evil. " If my truck is ever caught in a hail storm, however, and the hood gets trashed... Well, let's just say that deflector will be taken off in about 10 seconds! #ad
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97 2500 4x4, club cab, auto, 3. 54 limited slip, JRE 4" exhaust, Dr. Performance Fuel system (370 HP), "Twister Turbo," Geno's guages -- Boost, EGT, transmission & Rear -- MAG Hytec covers, SunCoast Converter/Transgo shift kit, Brite Box, tons o'chrome under hood, Prime Loc, EZ Drain, Seat covers, wood dash, Rancho Suspension, Warn M12000 Winch on Warn Brush Guard, Warn driving and fog lights, Hella twin back up lights, 285/75/R16 B. F. G. ATs on Mickey Thompson "Classic" rims; Linex bed liner, BD exhaust brake, Optima, "Red-top" batteries. Northwest Custom mudflaps, front/rear, and stainless rocker panels.

 

[Archive]

Good point, Sasquatch! I must have a different shield. Mine installs behind the grill, (you actually remove the grill to install it. ) It affixes at such an angle that my wash mit would not go all the way into the "V". A long q-tip might've made it, but the fine grit would've stayed.

Mine also allowed numerous rock chips on the hood. I found the original owner's receipts for all of his add-ons. He had it installed on the day he picked up the truck, so it's been there for 113k.

In defense of bug shields, my 1999 Trooper came with one, and it'll stay. It's the no-touch type, that attaches under the hood and curves around, never actually touching the hood. That darn Trooper gets such crappy mileage, that's it's a moot point, anyway! #ad

 

[Archive]

I have been debating the installation of a bug shield for two years now. I personally don't care for the looks and have not determined if they really do protect things. I don't seem to have a problem with paint chips until I get on the interstate and travel at speed (70-85 mph). And everytime I take a trip, I find a new paint chip. I am considering purchasing a bra to use just for trips. The one from Mopar has a screen that covers the grill to keep all of the bugs from getting in the coolers. You also have to be careful with the bras because if dirt or a small stone gets underneath, it will cause serious paint damage. DC really should put more durable paint on these trucks. They are trucks and should be able to stand up to the elements better. I baby the H--- out of mine and still find paint chips.

Do any of you paint experts out there know of any durable clear coats that can be applied to the original finish that will offer better protection without deminishing the finish?

Bill

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2001. 5 2500 QC, ETH/DEE, 4x4, 3. 54 LSD, BFG 295's, Stan's Headers 4" exhaust
Ram Pics

 

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Bug shield? Mines a snow shield! #ad

The two Rams I've owned have had "bug shields" and they DO look like crap! So I did a little test. During peak bug season, I washed the truck and drove it for an evening. The next day I recleaned the windshield, removed the "shield" and drove the same route. No difference!
I have noticed a difference in snowy conditions though (this won't do Jim much good). Above about 35 mph, the snow blows over the windshield IF it's the light fluffy stuff. So, the result of my "research" indicated that:
1) Light fluffy snow and small, light bugs are deflected by the shield and
2) The bugs are either deflected by the windshield or don't SMACK #ad
it hard enough to stick.
3) The shield gives me a good place to advertise my snowmobile pars business in the winter.
Come to think of it, it's about time to put it back on again.

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'94 3500 4x4, 201,000 miles, Never had a cat, Auto w/shift kit (currently under remodification), 3. 54 Gears, TST #5 plate, 235-85-16s, Rancho 9000s w/remote, Isspro gauges inplace of cupholder & Amsoil Bumper to Bumper. NRA member.
"Warrantee? We don't need no stinking warrantee!"

 

[Archive]

Dumped my bug deflectors when I went with the Air BullDog Hood by Doug Hofeldt and I think that's all they do... deflect bugs. Any thought that they protect from rocks is minimal at best (except the 2 inch strip that the deflector covers on the very front of the hood/above headlights). They really screw up the windshield washer when in motion. I used that thick, clear plastic covering thats sold for headlight lenses and that helped protect the paint/top of grille from rubbing/damage.

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'98. 5 2500 QC ISB 4x4 SLT, Auto w/Transgo shiftkit, JRE 4" exhaust w/5"Tip, DD II's w/Module&Elbow, VA box, Rancho 9000's w/in cab adjust, Mag-Hytec trans&diff covers, Jacobs E-Brake w/BD autoloc, trans temp, boost & EGT gauges, 2Low Kit, Brite Box, Steel Horse Billet Grilles, AirBullDog hood induction system

 

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I had one of those stainless 3-piece shields on my old 95. It looked great, and didnt kill my mileage... the mirror shake was evident however. Do they still make those?

 

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My guards don't even slow the bugs down... . Does a number on birds though #ad
...

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01 3500 4X4 ETH/DEE, Loaded Except Leather and a Rear Slider. Spray in Liner, DeeZee Running boards, Yadda Yadda Yadda...

 

[Archive]

rotohead wrote:

"... Any thought that they protect from rocks is minimal at best (except the 2 inch strip that the deflector covers on the very front of the hood/above headlights)... "

Rotodude,

I think different bug shields may do a better/worse job of providing protection than others. My Mopar shield has done a pretty good job of protecting my hood. Everything is "relative," of course, but I think there is no question that a good quality, factory designed/fitted deflector is better than nothing at all.

Even if it were true that "only two inches" of the leading edge of the hood is protected, that'd be a compelling reason to have the deflector in place.

After all, the leading edge of the hood is what you see, first, when you view the truck's painted surface from the front. So, for me, your statement is akin to saying, "A hockey goalie's mask only protects his face!"

Also true, I guess, but that's no reason not to wear one... . #ad

 

[Archive]

Some Jeepers are using sheets of that magnetic material they use to make removable signs to protect their paint. Maybe some could be put on the leading edge of the hood and fenders. Put it on for the road trips and take if off when you get home. I use it to put decals on so they are removable without hurting the paint.

 

[Archive]

The stainless bug shields are avaliable from Tractor Supply Co and I believe also from Geno's Garage (check the links section for Geno's).

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96 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, no muff, no cat, 5"turn down tip
80gal fuel capacity. BD Brake, EGT,Boost + fuel pressure gauges. Member NRA/USPSA

 

[Archive]

Like others, I have found that wind resistance + speed are the two big factors in mpg. In fact, if most of my driving on a tank has been freeway or open highway, I can estimate my mpg even before I fill up using this formula:
mpg = 2520/(70+((V+H)^2/3600)*(50+2K+5C))
where
V = Velocity, mph
H = Headwind velocity (subtract if tailwind)
K = Number of kayaks on roof
C = Number of canoes on roof
If you don't have a camper shell with boat racks, you can plug in -2 as the number of kayaks. Sounds like a bug shield is worth about 2 kayaks.
If you are towing a small trailer, plug in 4 to 6 canoes, for a big trailer, maybe 10 canoes. If you have mpg improving mods, then use a number bigger than 2520 in the above formula. Anybody who says "I get the same mileage at X mph that I do at X+10 mph" needs to get their transmission checked - vehicles don't deny the laws of physics and your transmission is slipping at the lower speed. Wind resistance goes up with the square of the velocity.
Yes, I'm a sick man, but am not dangerous to society, so there has been no need to lock me up... #ad


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2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, K&N RE-880 w/foam pre-cleaner, ARE Z-series Cab-high shell, Rear ARB locker, and all kinds of synthetic fluids...

 

[Archive]

HC:

Thanks! I needed that! #ad
#ad


(Laughing my friggin' butt off, here!!!)

 

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I didn't believe my own mpg for awhile. I was getting 19. 5mpg combined city hwy. Then I took the spoiler off the front so I could get to the oil plug without raising the truck. (4X2) My mileage went to 20. 5~ consistantly. Can't be. So I put the spoiler back on. 19. 5~ consistantly. Back off and it's 20. 5mpg. It'll stay off. It makes a wind tunnel rumble in a crosswind anyhow. Mileage is checked at every fill-up since new with 65,000 miles on the clock now.

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98 2500 CC 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10, -silencer, AFC+20, Edelbrock IAS, VDO gauges
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1

 

[Archive]

Been driving along with my windshield firmly in place (GORE=RAT) and averaging 18. 5 mpg. Windshield was taken out by (GORE=RAT) construction block/overpass mishap. Mileage went up to 19. 8 mpg. Rear window was, thereafter, removed by (GORE=RAT) means of Louisville Slugger. Mileage went up to 22. 1 mpg. Application of welding (GORE=RAT) torch resulted in loss of roof, "A Pillars," and rear door frames. Mileage (GORE=RAT) jumped to 24. 3 mpg. Installation of Red-Baron type goggles, headgear and scarf = . 2 mileage loss to 24. 1 mpg. Jettisoning (GORE=RAT) rear seat and bed of truck nets 1. 4 mpg (GORE=RAT) improvement to 25. 5 mpg.

VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE ON TUESDAY!! #ad
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[Archive]

Sasquadaddy-o:
My opinions were derived at the time I removed my deflectors and weighed the protection afforded vs. the existing damage and potential for further damage/rubbing. Then throw in MPG loss and you just have to weigh the good and bad. Whether it's "compelling reason to have the deflector in place", I'd have to politely disagree. Additionally, after having it off, for my own personal taste, I like the clean smooth lines of the OEM hood.
To continue your hockey analogy, maybe I'd play right wing to avoid having that "Bitter Beer Face" look if the mask didn't live up to expectations.
Each to his own, as always.

 

[Archive]

I think that anyone who has the OEM bug deflector should keep it on. IMHO the front looks better with it on,it doesn't rub the paint and in my experence it does keep the windshield cleaner especally if you drive in a nonurban buggy area. The 1 mpg increase isn't enough for me to remove mine.

 

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Rotoguy,

What you're saying makes perfect (GORE=RAT) sense to me, really. I completely understand your point of view. (GORE=RAT)

("Soft money" is paying for these subliminal messages 'till after Tues. )

Please don't forget (GORE=RAT) to vote your conscience on Tuesday!

Thank you. #ad

 

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Another option for protecting the paint is the X-Pel paint film. Clear plastic sheet that goes on like wint tint film. Got mine in the garage, will install soon. I just got my flatbed installed this week with light bar that sticks up over cab. Have done a lot of MPG testing yet, but according to the on board dsiplay, I took a serious hit on milage, at least 2-3 miles per gallon. It looks like pushing wind really hurts milage.

Shelby

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2001 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH, DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Took delivery on 10-06-00. Coming soon: E-Brake and a custom aluminum work body / flat bed.

 

[Archive]

Shelby,I'd blame it more on the flatbed than on the lightbar,our Rams will take a mpg hit just by leaving the tailgate down,that's how well the aerodynamics are incorperated.