Aerodynamics & Diverting Wind Resistance ?
- Thread starter 318willrun
- Start date
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You could channel the body on the frame and really reduce all that air going underneath the truck.
Chop and channel baby!!!!
That was a quick read
Alaskan_TA
Well-Known Member
Aerodynamics?
Trade the truck in and buy a Dart.
A Lawn Dart.
Trade the truck in and buy a Dart.
A Lawn Dart.
I was thinking of perhaps using a bed cover, and then create covers for underneath.
^^^ and one of those "80's" style bug shields to deflect over the cab.....
THIS guy has his grill blocked off.... Something I can do and keep the stock look IF it would help me .... ???? Opinions ?????
I don’t think he’s driving the street…. Like you…. But on track day, yea, sure, why not?
Isn’t that a glass front end? Look at the inner fender behind the wheel
And while looking for that image above, I found my friends truck in google images.... LOL
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I would guess it helps him in the quarter mile, but overheating may be a concern if this were ever a street strip car.
I'm sure it's a glass front end, but I could block mine off behind the grill IF there was a benefit in it for me. I'm mean, we are pretty extreme between that truck and mine, but it's the concept I'm looking at....
33IMP
Well-Known Member
Easy experiment. Next time your truck is at the track, stiff cardboard racer taped in front of the grill. See how much the water heats up, see if mph improves.
A local fast guy (a very, VERY fast guy) with a 68 or 69 dart has a clear plexi plate in front of his grill.
A local fast guy (a very, VERY fast guy) with a 68 or 69 dart has a clear plexi plate in front of his grill.
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that would be a good test. I could put plexi glass behind the grill - or even for a test a 1/4 board painted black.
Professor Fate
Push the button, Max...
You could try a finer mesh screen/expanded metal behind the grille, blocking more "through" air but still allowing for adequate cooling... Replace the big mirrors with something smaller, or just remove them at the strip. (Lose the snow, too!!) Run Moon discs on the wheels.
Do some studying of NASCAR trucks, Pro Stock trucks and Bonneville racers for some inspiration.
Do some studying of NASCAR trucks, Pro Stock trucks and Bonneville racers for some inspiration.
Well, I have the mirror thing taken car of... if you look at the picture, it's only got one small round car mirror (60's mopar) on the drivers door. Mesh behind the grill maybe an idea..
Topless69
Well-Known Member
I’ve read more than a few times that above 35-40mph aerodynamic drag accounts for as much as 85% of the power needed to reach and maintain a given speed: just for grins let’s say you’re using 100hp to drive your truck 100mph, it takes up to 85 of that 100hp just to overcome aero drag. With the brick-like cross section of a squarebody truck, this sounds reasonable. First, get it out of the wind - lower the entire body as much as possible. Next, block off any front section you can, with the intent of making it as flush as you can. It sounds counterproductive, but shoot for a front end that’s flat as a board (not pretty but blocking off sections behind the grille just creates air pockets that eat power and slow you down)
Try to block as much airstream from going under the truck as possible - air dam, spoiler, etc., and yes belly pans may help. Basically, any way to smooth the flow of air over, around or under the truck has the benefits of using less grunt and less gas.
More radical? Keep tires out of the airstream as well, since they create drag and turbulence that disrupt the flow of air over the body. Go crazy and fender-skirt the wheel wells!
I’ve seen different opinions about tonneau covers, but as far as gate-up or gate-down (or removed) it’s been shown gate-up is less drag.
Of course, a smoother front end would certainly lower drag and combined with any other of these suggestions you’d be a long way down the road - so to speak.
Try to block as much airstream from going under the truck as possible - air dam, spoiler, etc., and yes belly pans may help. Basically, any way to smooth the flow of air over, around or under the truck has the benefits of using less grunt and less gas.
More radical? Keep tires out of the airstream as well, since they create drag and turbulence that disrupt the flow of air over the body. Go crazy and fender-skirt the wheel wells!
I’ve seen different opinions about tonneau covers, but as far as gate-up or gate-down (or removed) it’s been shown gate-up is less drag.
Of course, a smoother front end would certainly lower drag and combined with any other of these suggestions you’d be a long way down the road - so to speak.
Keep in mind... we are keeping the stock farm truck look. I won't be able to take advantage of some of the great idea's that's been listed. Front air dam or spoiler under the front bumper or belly pan will for sure be looked at. There are many pockets behind the grill from the factory, looking at how to make the transition of wind passing through more efficiently, or, completely cut it off with plexi glass behind the grill.
All good stuff by everyone, by the way. This is what I was looking for, seeds of thoughts !!!
Topless69
Well-Known Member
Sure - just for track use you could get a big sheet of 1/16 plexi, cut it to shape and use a few screws to hold it in place... stock look retained
I think a more accurate test of aerodynamics would be to eliminate variables associated with power and traction.
agree, and the truck hooked well when I was able to slip a run in at the end of the year
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