Modified Air Dam on a stock 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter 4th Gen

[DENNISD]

The goal is a 400mi tank on a stock Trailhunter. Got a Go Fast Camper + a Martin Off Road Roof Rack w/ a big ass spoiler. Currently getting 18.5mpg @ 7,300 mi. Nix the OE sport bar and the rear recovery points (swapping for SixthElement aluminum), added constant is ~350lbs with the kit.

Notes: Minimal cutting on the chin spoiler itself, had to get some aluminum angle brackets and utilize a few OE mount locations. The most time spent on this was shaping additive spoiler near the high mount cutout bumper. Did that with a type of urethane foam (DivinyCell), carbon fiber & resin, bonded them to most outer edges of the dam wings, EVA 1/16” stand-off cushion against the bumper). With the airdam clearance is 11” H w/stock Goodyear Wranglers. The mounting points do not interfere with skid plate mounts at all. All said & done 6 bolts, disconnects in ~5min when I want to get more into crawling on trail.

Just finished it yesterday and will drive it ~1k and then look at the numbers. Expecting ~20mpg+ highway at minimum driving speed limit adaptive cruise etc. If it underwhelms I spent $15 for the airdam on Fb market place & an afternoon modifying with random extra materials in my garage.

for the gerrys who want to shoot shit down & correct & be a doosh & say it looks weird & whatever else causes you chaffing & harm in life: no one cares betches ?

I personally think it has gen 4 XRunner vibes and that might be the coolest taco yet, albeit a concept. To each his own ?

From this video, it shows that you are gaining less than 1 mpg (0.8 to be exact).



If you drove 12,000 miles per year and and averaged 22.2 mpg you would use 540 gallons of gas.

If you averaged 23 mpg, you would use 521 gallons of gas.

The average price of gas is $3.16. You would save $60 per year. For the first year, you would need to subtract $15 for the cost of the chin spoiler. You now are ahead $45.00 (not factoring in the time you spent purchasing it and placing it on). Add on the fact that you most likely drove to the person's place to obtain said spoiler, you may have just broken even on the first year.

If I am doing the math correctly, to each their own. Yes, you are saving money but if you really wanted to save gas I would simply let up on the gas pedal just a touch and your savings would be even more. If you go from 65 to 60, you will save on average 3 mpg. If you wanted to save .8 mpg (what the chin spoiler would most likely achieve), you are looking at only around 1 to 2 mph less mph to achieve the same results.

But hey, if it works for you I say go for it. I just wanted others reading this thread to know the estimates that one may achieve if you are considering the same.

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[trailhunger]

From this video, it shows that you are gaining less than 1 mpg (0.8 to be exact).



If you drove 12,000 miles per year and and averaged 22.2 mpg you would use 540 gallons of gas.

If you averaged 23 mpg, you would use 521 gallons of gas.

The average price of gas is $3.16. You would save $60 per year. For the first year, you would need to subtract $15 for the cost of the chin spoiler. You now are ahead $45.00 (not factoring in the time you spent purchasing it and placing it on). Add on the fact that you most likely drove to the person's place to obtain said spoiler, you may have just broken even on the first year.

If I am doing the math correctly, to each their own. Yes, you are saving money but if you really wanted to save gas I would simply let up on the gas pedal just a touch and your savings would be even more. If you go from 65 to 60, you will save on average 3 mpg. If you wanted to save .8 mpg (what the chin spoiler would most likely achieve), you are looking at only around 1 to 2 mph less mph to achieve the same results.

But hey, if it works for you I say go for it. I just wanted others reading this thread to know the estimates that one may achieve if you are considering the same.

Those same clowns did an mpg test with a GFC and never tested with a fairing SMH never watch that channel complete waste of time. I’ll listen to the Toyota engineers at 3-5 mpg improvement, if your rig can cut through the air with less drag it’ll increase your range. Randos on the internet can ye or ne this I could care less. I did it, it’s working, last trip was 24.6. Tank recalibration coming, stoked I did it.

Oh, and I drove less than mile to rendezvous with the seller of this chin spoiler huge cut into my savings. It’s been ‘factored in’ lol ??

 

[trailhunger]

Less than 300mi in w/the double chin on the TH, 2 fuelly logs and it’s incrementally showing some great numbers. Dry weight this thing might get 28mpg on 40+mi trips.

Real weight penalty test next week / crossing the Rockies headed for Moab, headwinds & gear, firewood, water 350mi out / 350mi back.

Tank reading at 320mi last fill up. The goal is 400mi+, looks promising…

 

[DENNISD]

Less than 300mi in w/the double chin on the TH, 2 fuelly logs and it’s incrementally showing some great numbers. Dry weight this thing might get 28mpg on 40+mi trips.

Real weight penalty test next week / crossing the Rockies headed for Moab, headwinds & gear, firewood, water 350mi out / 350mi back.

Tank reading at 320mi last fill up. The goal is 400mi+, looks promising…

The only way to be absolutely sure of what difference the chin spoiler makes is by removing it and reinstalling it under identical conditions—same weight, route, driving style, and even the same time of day. There are simply too many variables that can influence fuel economy.


In general, the more miles you put on a car, the better the mileage tends to get over time. In other words, with or without the chin spoiler, your MPG would likely tick up a little anyway.


I’d love to see you gain more than 1 MPG, but your “test” isn’t reliable—it’s really just an estimate at this point.


For perspective, I own a driving school with five vehicles, one of which is a 2022 Prius. That car has returned anywhere from 70 MPG at best to 52 MPG at worst. Seasonal factors make a huge difference: when I don’t need AC, mileage improves; when winter sets in, it drops. I could easily assume that an add-on caused the swing, but that wouldn’t be a fair conclusion.


There’s no doubt the chin spoiler is giving you a small improvement, but I’d bet it’s no more than 2 MPG at best. If you really want to maximize efficiency, reducing weight will do more. For example, dropping the spare tire—as newer Prius models have done—would likely save you more than the spoiler.


The difference is that weight reduction helps at all speeds, while the chin spoiler only provides an advantage on the highway.



In any event, as long as you think this is doing more than it may actually be helping, that is the main thing.

 

[trailhunger]

The only way to be absolutely sure of what difference the chin spoiler makes is by removing it and reinstalling it under identical conditions—same weight, route, driving style, and even the same time of day. There are simply too many variables that can influence fuel economy.

breakout the wind tunnel bud, I bet you have one in your backyard…oh wait, you don’t and Toyota does, worth $75 million. But you know more somehow. We’ll wholeheartedly take whatever you’re spewing as gospel

Net accreditive aero principles…See you in 10kmi while you’re bolting in aux tanks & paying the penalty every 150mi at the gasser I’ll be blazing right by you!
Only an armchair internet troll has more insight than Toyota engineers who developed the part.

My advice to you is don’t be butthurt you sold your chin spoiler. Nobody cares if your Sport has a lift, or if your tires look cool. Only you give a shit about this

 

[TacoKiwi]

The goal is a 400mi tank on a stock Trailhunter. Got a Go Fast Camper + a Martin Off Road Roof Rack w/ a big ass spoiler. Currently getting 18.5mpg @ 7,300 mi. Nix the OE sport bar and the rear recovery points (swapping for SixthElement aluminum), added constant is ~350lbs with the kit.

Notes: Minimal cutting on the chin spoiler itself, had to get some aluminum angle brackets and utilize a few OE mount locations. The most time spent on this was shaping additive spoiler near the high mount cutout bumper. Did that with a type of urethane foam (DivinyCell), carbon fiber & resin, bonded them to most outer edges of the dam wings, EVA 1/16” stand-off cushion against the bumper). With the airdam clearance is 11” H w/stock Goodyear Wranglers. The mounting points do not interfere with skid plate mounts at all. All said & done 6 bolts, disconnects in ~5min when I want to get more into crawling on trail.

Just finished it yesterday and will drive it ~1k and then look at the numbers. Expecting ~20mpg+ highway at minimum driving speed limit adaptive cruise etc. If it underwhelms I spent $15 for the airdam on Fb market place & an afternoon modifying with random extra materials in my garage.

for the gerrys who want to shoot shit down & correct & be a doosh & say it looks weird & whatever else causes you chaffing & harm in life: no one cares betches ?

I personally think it has gen 4 XRunner vibes and that might be the coolest taco yet, albeit a concept. To each his own ?

If you do any offroad be prepared to come home without it

 

[trailhunger]

If you do any offroad be prepared to come home without it

if you do any work with your hands and actually did something useful in the past 10 years…it unbolts in less than 5 minutes.

But yea if you’re an old fart and you prefer to leave the rock sliders on for those Costco hauls & donut runs, you bet doing any work is a major hurdle, and you should keep your ass at home and continue offering lame advice.

That’s cool you drove a gnarly trail ‘that one time’ and have your rock sliders still on to prove it.

 

[24 TRD OR]

The anger and the insults really aren't necessary. You bought a truck and want good mileage. Makes total sense.You made an air dam out of popsicle stocks and super glue. That's neat. Enjoy it, my friend.

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