Thinking about cutting off the wind deflectors

[LittleNeckLightning]

Hey all, I’m seriously considering taking my dremel to the wind deflectors/ front flaps on my xlt fx4. I’ve already bottomed out on them a few times on speed bumps. I saw a guy on YouTube cut his off, and the truck has a cleaner look for sure and better ground clearance. My question for the truck pros, is there a downside to getting rid of them? I’m aware that they need to be cut and not removed because the under mount plate would leave too much susceptible to debris, but other that that? Thx for your time! Will be cutting soon unless someone here feels strongly about it. Cheers!

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[hdave]

Decreased fuel economy without them.
Not sure by how much, but I think that’s what they are nain

 

[TOMCATFIGHTER]

Decreased fuel economy without them.
Not sure by how much, but I think that’s what they are nain

Won't even be noticeable.
Someone on here said to just unbolt them then remove and screws the bolts back in. No cutting required.

 

[icegradner]

Shouldn't have to cut them off, they are held in with bolts or plastic rivets.

 

[bgn]

But why? I've beat the crap out of mine off-road and they're still fully attached. They bend, and I'd rather hear scraping on those than the lower bumper.

 

[Montana]

I took mine off the front bumper. Had the same issue scraping random stuff while mall crawling.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...ick-22-lariat-lux-fx4-4k-eb.33672/post-611233

I used a single sided black 3M adhesive that is pretty thick to cover up the holes that were left after removal. Honestly if I could get a Tremor bumper without serious modifications to the radiator, that's what I would have done.

 

[LittleNeckLightning]

I feel the same way. I think I’m gonna cut mine, so I keep the exposed holes closed etc. thx!

 

[dalola]

I removed mine also, for two reasons....avoid continuously scraping them up on the rough township roads down here in SE Ohio, and I think it looks better without them.

You could cut them, or remove them completely, which is what I did. I put the fasteners back in, looks very clean.

They are there for fractional FE improvement (aero) at higher speeds, by deflecting air around the front tire. You'll see no measurable change from the onboard computer.

 

[LittleNeckLightning]

I removed mine also, for two reasons....avoid continuously scraping them up on the rough township roads down here in SE Ohio, and I think it looks better without them.

You could cut them, or remove them completely, which is what I did. I put the fasteners back in, looks very clean.

They are there for fractional FE improvement (aero) at higher speeds, by deflecting air around the front tire. You'll see no measurable change from the onboard computer.

If I remove them, there will be exposed holes correct? Where the lights are?

 

[AutobahnSHO]

Expect a few MPG worse fuel economy.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...-why-are-the-mud-flaps-on-the-maverick.13162/

https://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/wheel-aerodynamics-the-flow-deflector-explained/

 

[dalola]

If I remove them, there will be exposed holes correct? Where the lights are?

Only one, where the strake was used to bridge the fender liner to the bumper facia with a push clip. It's not visible unless you crawl under the truck. I just put a zip tie around the fender liner & facia to hold it in place. Works fine, and is not readily visible. Then just put the remaining bolts back in the mounting holes, without the strake. Easy & clean.

It will make sense once you remove one.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I'm keeping mine as they direct the dirty rain water coming off the front of the tire towards the ground and not slung far enough in front of truck to be blown back into grill and onto paint also.

 

[dalola]

Expect a few MPG worse fuel economy.

A few MPG's? lol..... not even close. It's fractional. and won't even register with the OBC.

It's only in the OEM lab testing for EPA & coast-down/wind simulation during model development when the exact values are known.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

This guy got his already more aerodynamic car to get 9mpg better with a tray under the front AND the deflectors in front of the front wheels

https://www.autospeed.com/cms/a_2456/article
(20 km/L vs 24 km/L is 47mpg vs 56 mpg)

 

[AutobahnSHO]

A few MPG's? lol..... not even close. It's fractional. and won't even register with the OBC.

It's only in the OEM lab testing for EPA & coast-down/wind simulation during model development when the exact values are known.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...ust-forward-of-front-tires.18417/#post-349653

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