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2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission The AirTab Experiment

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2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Stains in headliner

Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) radiator fin comb/repair

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A few weeks ago I mounted 12 air-tabs across the top of the cab about 6 inches forward from the rear edge. First thing I noticed was that the rolling affect in the bed (what little there was before) is now non existent.



Last night I mounted an additional 14 of them across the hood of the truck. They are centered with 7 per side. They set back 20 inches form the transition line of the nose piece to the hood. I also mounted one on each side on the door down at the rocker panel. These are to check out the air flow patterns as the truck gets dirty.



The reason for the experiment is that the acrylic but deflector while nice looking, did not work real well. At 60 mph the bugs would get through and when using the windshield washer, the water would blow everywhere in the tumbling back currents of the airflow produced by the bug deflector. Also, Oregon is notorious for using gravel on the road that will rip up a windshield with big stars and cracks. So we are trying to see if we can eliminate rock damage along with the bugs.



Results so far Oo. Encouraging to say the least.



The airtabs mounted on top have a little over 2,000 miles on them now. The rear window does not get dirty nor does it mist over while driving in rain. Mileage wise, I'm still watching for an improvment. I won't really know untill my next long trip over to Idaho. My last tank came it at 21. 22 mpg.



The ones on the hood have proven interesting in the few hours they have been mounted. I did a 16 mile run at 60 miles an hour. First thing I noticed was that the windshield washers will now put the water all the way to the top of the windshield without any distortion in the spray pattern. I'ts like your standing still when they are turned on. So the airtabs are definately kicking the air up over the wind shield. Next thing I notices was no bug hits!:) I did have two bugs that came in on the driver side that were deflected outward away from the windshield at about 30 degree angle. Encourgaing to say the least.



Today on my lunch hour, I took the truck down and had it washed down real good so I have a base line for dirt patterns and bug splats to go on. I would like to attach pictures, but it appears that I would need to have my own web site to do so, if I understand the directions in the TDR site.



I spent Saturday with John Holmes down at the Canby Fair Grounds. He gave a great lecture on the (Why we own Diesels). There were about a dozen people there. I was able to give a couple of them a ride in my rig to show them the difference between a boosted truck and one that was stock by turning the EZ-Comp completely off and then back on. I was unable to attend today as I have to work, but will see him again tonight after work and show him the affect since yesterday. So this messages is sent out in a moment of hooky from the job. As I put on more mileage and the rainy season comes in this next month, I will let everyone know what the results are. So far I'm happy.



One other note; it might be my imagination and then again maybe not. The truck does not seem to drift from side to side like it did. More to come on this subject later.



Oo.
 
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Hey Mundgyver, are these the tabs they put on the big rigs? What's the cost?



Hopefully you'll be able to get pictures on the TDR so we can see how you mounted the tabs.
 
:D Yes sir, these are in fact the same tabs that are used on the big rigs. I'm a direct dealer. (I guess I'm allowed to say that on the forum). As I understand it, I'm not allowed to discuss price on the forum, with that said though my email is -- email address removed -- - or - -- email address removed --. I will be happy to tell you how much via those two routs or through the forum private mail line. I'm going down to Canby tonight after work to see John Holmes before he head back to his ranch and let him have a look see at what I'm doing. He is the one who wrote the article in TDR on these. :) Oo.
 
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You can attach a picture directly to a post (only one per post, you can have more than one in a thread) as long as the file size is less than 32,000 bytes by clicking on the "Browse" button next to "Attach File" (it's just above the "Submit Reply" button. That will pull up an open file window and just go where the file is on your hard drive. You can also use the reader's rigs section if you wish to put up larger pictures (up to 128,000 bytes). There's instructions on the first method in the FAQ at the top of the screen ( here's the direct link - https://www.turbodieselregister.com/faq/index.php?act=Answer&cid=41&id=29 ). There's directions on how to create a photo album there as well ( https://www.turbodieselregister.com/faq/index.php?act=Answer&cid=41&id=30 ). Once you've uploaded the picture you can just go to that picture in your album and there will be a link right below the picture that says "Forum Codes". Click on that and it will tell you exactly what you need to put in a message to display that picture.
 
I am working on trying to post some pics. I took some digital ones, but have not managed to crack a full understanding of how it is done. Hopfully this week it will happen.
 
Wally,

Great post!... ..... I'm very interested in what you find out... ... .

Keeping the truck cleaner.

Better handling.

Being able to use the windshield washer @ speed.

Sounds like a winner since I have a black dually sport, keeping it clean is a priority... ... .

Can they be painted to match the truck?... ... ..... I would imagine that they could. Please P. M. with more info.

Thanks,

Eric
 
Can we use them to make the soot stream longer and darker?:D



May need some of those for the racecar.



Hey Wally, look for a 14-year-old kid, he'll show you how to post a photo. ;)



Lemme see lemme see!
 
There was an article on them in the last TDR rag. They're a small inverted-naca-duct looking doohickie that may prove to be beneficial in changing the airflow across a moving object.



The sought effect is reduced drag. Some desirable side-effects are reduction in dirt and bugs and such -as you have read.



If we're lucky we'll be able to make the air think we're all driving 928's. Albeit NOISY ones!



I hope someone else can be more specific.
 
Airtabs...

I have 13 on the roof and 7 per side on my FlipPac Canopy. You can definately see a difference in air flow when driving in heavy rain.
 
:) Update to the experiment. Got our first good rain this morning on the way to work. The ones I have mounted on the hood are working, but :( not quite the way I had hoped for. You will recall that they are mounted 20 inches back from the nose of the truck. You can see the water being thrown up out of the tabs to a height of about 7 to 8 inches and it winds up depositing the water at about chin level to the driver. This is at a speed of 60 mph. Bug pattern is that nothing big seems to get through. Small ones how ever, coming in just above the hood line seem to be dispersed in an even pattern across the entire windshield. So I'm happy that the big ones don't seem to make it through but some what disappointed about the little ones and the rain. :rolleyes:



:D Next step is to peel them up and build myself a adjustable plate that I can position on the hood, for fore and aft motion along with tilt of the Airtab in relation to the incoming air. This will allow me to keep precise measurements for the best point of use of the Airtab on the hood. Will try to get something designed and set up this month.



I'm just starting to see a pattern on the rocker panel. Got some spray off the wheels but I want to let it get real dirty. There does seem to be some definition of flow but I'm not prepared to say yea or nae on it. I will move the locations of the rocker panel ones as soon as I can determine a solid pattern.



More to come. -Wally-
 
You can do some real experimenting by "Tufting" your truck. You take 3" long pieces of light yarn and tape them in the area of question using masking tape. The yarn will blow around giving you a visual indication of airflow. I had a lot of fun with this during my experimental aircraft days.



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I'm well versed in aeronautics as I spent 18 1/2 years in Marine Aviation working helicopters, some up at Whidbey Island. I've thought about doing the yarn/string experiment, but I'm busy as heck with college so my days off are spent doing allot of head scratchin trying to keep up with the youngsters and all the NEW MATH and stuff. :D Anybody got a in for wind tunnel testing at Boeing. That would speed things right along for placement. :D Hmmm?? I seem to miss my flying days allot. Guess that why I got this truck with a few goodies. A replacement for a previous addiction.
 
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