Could These Mods Be a Disaster for Aerodynamics? Experts Weigh In!"

[Defconxzero]

I saw the Air Design kits people display on this sight, namely the front lower spoiler and the tailgate spoiler. They look great! However, me having a fluid dynamics and mechanical engineering mind, I wonder about the aerodynamics of these mods. I am fully aware that any change in performance, most easily measured in MPG would be VERY MINIMAL and probably not even measurable; and therefore definitely not worth buying kits like these for the reason of improving aerodynamic performance.
However as i mentioned, i am really just curious, and wondering what you guys think; Does anyone think either of these mods would IN THEORY improve or hinder aerodynamic performance in terms of MPG however small the gain or loss?

my own personal thought is the splitter could theoretically positively affect performance acting as a tiny air dam for the underside which typically helps with larger trucks, but the tailgate spoiler creates a larger surface area on the back profile face of the truck increasing low pressure volume which increases drag... they do look neat though!

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[rad32]

So you are right they are supposedly there for performance, just not mpg performance. They are there to make the truck look like it has more downforce for track performance. I doubt they add much downforce if at all at the speeds our Mavericks see. I guess that answers the question, they should have negative mpg performance.

 

[Bilbo_B]

My opinion is that these have little to no impact on MPG amounts. If anything the front lower spoiler looks to me like it may actually raise the front up if going fast enough ...maybe at about 650kts of air speed.. but I'm not inclined to try it.
These are intended for looks only. If you don't care about that you can invest that amount of your money in a higher grade of gasoline to see some improvement.

I have seen a test on the effect of the tonneau cover on gas mileage and that can be worth mentioning.

 

[Aherpa]

I have the Ford tailgate spoiler and I can say that it does help keep the rear bumper area cleaner.

We have to drive about one mile of gravel to get to a paved road and the back of the truck would get dirty much faster than the rest of the truck, however, that one mile of gravel is really the only 'slow' part of a trip as most of the time we are at highway speeds. Since I drive that bit of gravel at around 15-20 miles an hour to minimize dust and gravel bits hitting the truck, I assumed a tailgate spoiler might be more for looks than functional for my purpose of keeping the rear of the truck cleaner, but I was wrong

I immediately noticed the back of the truck was not as dirty as it was. . . maybe that's faint praise but it was a noticeable improvement. I assume some aerodynamic change is happening but I have not noticed any measurable change in MPG.

If there are aerodynamic changes happening, maybe they help 'scrub' the dust off at highway speeds.

For me the tailgate spoiler was a good addition, I like the look of it, it provides a bit more 'handle' to the edge of the tailgate when lifting it. Any cleaning that it does is a welcome side effect.

 

[Probity]

I am fully aware that any change in performance, most easily measured in MPG would be VERY MINIMAL and probably not even measurable; and therefore definitely not worth buying kits like these for the reason of improving aerodynamic performance.
However as i mentioned, i am really just curious, and wondering what you guys think; Does anyone think either of these mods would IN THEORY improve or hinder aerodynamic performance in terms of MPG however small the gain or loss?

In theory? Maybe improve. I briefly checked out their website, as expected no mention of actual aero testing they do. If they had actually aero tested any of these products and measured actual drag reduction then they'd have trumpeted it all over their site. My view - their products are for appearances.

I don't have a Maverick (yet) so don't know what type/style/size of front air dam they come with, if they have the underside felt "bra" like their F150 cousins have for (very slight) mpg improvement. The F150 front air dams and felt underside are for underbody aero improvements (and supposed noise for the felt bra). Many F150 owners trim the front air dams ('curb finders').

Lots of general aero/drag reduction articles out there, going back at least to the 1970's. This 7 year old one educated me on why automakers do spend time and money messing with underbody and rear surfaces: An Introduction to Automobile Aerodynamics - Mechanix Illustrated (technicacuriosa.com)

 

[Waterick]

I would think ever so slight less drag under and on back of truck, but I am no rocket scientist.

 

[The Real Maverick]

I would think ever so slight less drag under and on back of truck, but I am no rocket scientist.

They will add slightly more drag but not enough for you to notice.

Do it for the looks if you like it.

 

[nemaverickflyer]

I saw the Air Design kits people display on this sight, namely the front lower spoiler and the tailgate spoiler. They look great! However, me having a fluid dynamics and mechanical engineering mind, I wonder about the aerodynamics of these mods. I am fully aware that any change in performance, most easily measured in MPG would be VERY MINIMAL and probably not even measurable; and therefore definitely not worth buying kits like these for the reason of improving aerodynamic performance.
However as i mentioned, i am really just curious, and wondering what you guys think; Does anyone think either of these mods would IN THEORY improve or hinder aerodynamic performance in terms of MPG however small the gain or loss?

my own personal thought is the splitter could theoretically positively affect performance acting as a tiny air dam for the underside which typically helps with larger trucks, but the tailgate spoiler creates a larger surface area on the back profile face of the truck increasing low pressure volume which increases drag... they do look neat though!

I'm not an expert on airodynamics,
but know enough yo be a pilot. Unless you plan on cruising at 150 m.p.h. or so, you'll never notice any difference, but your mods do look cool!

 

[nemaverickflyer]

Aerodynamics - evidently not an expert on spelling either!

 

[Phimosis]

I think the largest increase in drag will be on your wallet.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

Only a wind tunnel and extensive real-world comparison testing will answer.

 

[Redline]

On a performance vehicle, they are meant to add down force. They would add grip and reduce MPG. You'd have to be slammed to the ground to make them work. As stated, these are probably more show than go.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

It's interesting that they've done a fair amount of research on aerodynamics as it applies to semi-trucks with those huge, tall trailers. I'd like to see some of those improvements be put to use for pulling travel trailers with pickup trucks like the Maverick or any truck really. Even if it's some sort of detachable air foil things of some sort.

 

[Toddman45]

Probably add 50hp a piece...

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

It's interesting that they've done a fair amount of research on aerodynamics as it applies to semi-trucks with those huge, tall trailers. I'd like to see some of those improvements be put to use for pulling travel trailers with pickup trucks like the Maverick or any truck really. Even if it's some sort of detachable air foil things of some sort.

Like this stuff here....

Semi-Truck Aerodynamics: How it Works | Next Exit Logistics

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