I have a 4.6 2wd f150 Screw. I think the axle is 3.55. Up till I added an ARE cap, I had consistently gotten 17 MPG in mixed rural driving. I drive with a light foot around town and cruise at 70 or so on the interstate. I was not thrilled with this as my previous Tahoe 5.7 did a little better with a lot more power. But I see that my MPG is about as good as others here.

I put the topper on as winter began, and my mixed MPG seems a little worse. Could be the topper, could be the weather. Just did a long trip and a tank that was entirely on the interstate at 74 MPH actual (76 indicated) yielded just over 17 MPG.

That's all background. My question is if anyone has tried any front aerodynamics to improve MPG. Way back during the late 1970s "gas shortage", Motor Trend took a Pinto and tested several homemade mods to increase the mileage. And they boosted it a lot. Two things I remember were an air dam (spoiler) and blocking off some or all of the grille.

I think I could live with a lower air dam. I am even thinking of adding some material to the bottom as a test. Has anyone done anything like this?

 

I haven't tried any front end aero mods, but I can tell you a Black Max soft bedcover actually dropped my mpg by about 1 mpg or so. I have a 5.4 L and have tracked mileage since new - 15 mpg in mixed suburban / urban stop n go without cover. 14 mpg with. Highway driving also seems affected, but I don't do enough of that to be sure yet.

Have had the cover 6 months - otherwise like it a lot. Does a great job of sealing out weather and seems to help wind noise as well, which is interesting in light of the lower gas mileage. No other vehicle changes or driving habit changes. Same commute everyday.

Something for input...