3D printed Functional Side Vents

[crabmajor]

Hey Guys, just wanted to share and get your opinion on the side vents I designed/copy from the original ones.
Printed in ABS, coated with a Rustoleum transparent coat, and glued with 3m double side tape, already withstanded a 2000 mile without falling appart.
In my mind they helped on the MPG, but not solid test so far.

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[AzureBlueBill]

If they were not so rough looking, I'd like them better.

 

[Carlitos_92]

Very cool. And you probably chose the right plastic compound for the heat exposure…

Can’t think of any logical reason they’re going to impact mileage either way, though. Under-hood temps, maybe.

 

[Bwicka]

Any plans on making them with oem tabs?
I think it would sell good if you did.

 

[#1Rickster]

Nicely. Did you find the 3D file online or did you have to develop it yourself?
My son 3d printed this for me with PLA and my wife painted it.. It is not ABS but it has surprisingly held up to the TX summer. I half expected to come out and see it melted away in August.

 

[Awesemann]

I rather like them. Can be sanded to make the smooth, then maybe paint them to match body color. The options are there.

 

[cf91chevy]

If they were not so rough looking, I'd like them better.

I bet a light sanding would smooth them up no problem. Pretty sharp!!!

 

[crabmajor]

thanks for the good appreciations.
Indeed the rough look was by choice. I printed it with fuzzy skin to minimize the post process, my intention was to match the texture on the mirrors.
Priming, sanding and painting would take some tools and space I don't currently have.

 

[crabmajor]

Any plans on making them with oem tabs?
I think it would sell good if you did.

Tabs are there, a little too tick to put the metal locks, I just didn't trusted the filament to hold the stress. And the ones that Ford sell convince me to go the double tape way

 

[crabmajor]

Very cool. And you probably chose the right plastic compound for the heat exposure…

Can’t think of any logical reason they’re going to impact mileage either way, though. Under-hood temps, maybe.

I was thinking on less air resistance, I usually drive at roads with single lanes and incoming heavy traffic like trucks just push a lot of air moving the hood. Maybe an vent would ease that.

 

[crabmajor]

Nicely. Did you find the 3D file online or did you have to develop it yourself?
My son 3d printed this for me with PLA and my wife painted it.. It is not ABS but it has surprisingly held up to the TX summer. I half expected to come out and see it melted away in August.

I couldn't find any that replaced the complete vent so I made it from scratch.
I used fusion360 , it took me some time and a couple of test print. the most complex part for me was the wavy shape it have in the middle

 

[PNWMaverick]

What printer (Bambu?) and resolution did you print at?

I am thinking with 0.05mm, a little sanding, and high fill automotive primer, it would give the smoother finish others are talking about.

 

[AzureBlueBill]

thanks for the good appreciations.
Indeed the rough look was by choice. I printed it with fuzzy skin to minimize the post process, my intention was to match the texture on the mirrors.
Priming, sanding and painting would take some tools and space I don't currently have.

To me it looks like rough a cut lumber texture. Or chiseled out of stone. Plus there are obvious flaws in it that aren't going to sand out. With a better printer (or is the 3D model flawed?) they'd look pretty good.

 

[Ih8thew82]

I like your design. I'd add some fine black screen to the inside to keep the wasps from building behind it. They love areas like that around here.

 

[fossil]

what appeals to me
overall style
fits the stamped recess in the fender, some do not and bulge out
functional vent whether it does anything meaningful or not
longhorn detail

not so much
rough finish
screen mesh size only slightly too big, sightly to my eye

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