I recently hit a snowbank and the plastic air dam under the front bumper is loose on one corner. Currently i have it zip tied onto the bumper through the rivet holes. How important is it to have this on the truck? Or can I pop the rest of the rivets and just take it off?

 

I had mine off for awhile and just recently put it back on with no problems.

 

I busted the one on the Ranger going through water, and took it off the Explorer. Really isnt that important.

 

"Supposedly" It helps with gas mileage somehow but I don't know If I believe that. I broke mine off on my Chevy and did not notice a difference. Other than that i guess it's just your opinion on how it looks.

 

Mine came half off on a snow drift a couple years back, took it completely off with no issues, mileage is the same and the truck just looks better without it.

Now if only I could prevent the snow from getting to the belts my alternator could run without issue.

 

Technically its part of the cooling system, it helps create a vacuum under the engine to help suck air through the radiator. Maybe if you do really heavy towing on the thruway you might notice a difference, but otherwise youll be ok without it. All mine have been ripped off by mud or snow within a few months of buying the trucks and i dont bother to put them back on.

-Jon

 

Thanks for the info everybody! You're right Wildcat, they do look better without them. Great point Ford4ever, I doubt mine will see any heavy towing. 2wd SC SB 302, it just sees light hauling and trips around town.

 

In the South, Chebbies will overheat without them. Fords don't seem to have a problem - maybe down in South America...