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2021 Sport S coming without the air dam?

SuburbanGP88

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redrider

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The thing below the bumper is a skid plate. Note the angle of attachment. The trim panels on the sides between the bumper and fender are just that. Trim. An Air Dam is an airflow control device to help the vehicle stay on the road at racing speeds or 'hood eye candy.
 

Dartboy

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That "skid plate" is made of plastic and only supported at the top/leading edge. It isn't going to skid very much ;)

The fender fillers keep the air from hitting the front of the tire and getting caught inside the fender, causing a lot of drag. Probably good for a bit of MPG improvements for CAFE rating

If you go to the build page on the Jeep site, you see the Sport S with the fender fillers (painted fenders are standard now) If you select the middle AT tire option, it forces you to add either Max Tow or Diesel, pick either and the fender fillers disappear and the bumper upgrades. Not 100% definitive, but it seems to imply the fillers are tied to those options.

*edit* it looks like the Selec-trac full time 4wd also deletes the fender fillers/upgrades bumper
 

lrtexasman

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That "skid plate" is made of plastic and only supported at the top/leading edge. It isn't going to skid very much ;)

The fender fillers keep the air from hitting the front of the tire and getting caught inside the fender, causing a lot of drag. Probably good for a bit of MPG improvements for CAFE rating

If you go to the build page on the Jeep site, you see the Sport S with the fender fillers (painted fenders are standard now) If you select the middle AT tire option, it forces you to add either Max Tow or Diesel, pick either and the fender fillers disappear and the bumper upgrades. Not 100% definitive, but it seems to imply the fillers are tied to those options.

*edit* it looks like the Selec-trac full time 4wd also deletes the fender fillers/upgrades bumper
Yea when you search cars.com all the 2021 Sport S I have seen don’t have the filler piece.
 

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NHyde

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I’ve seen a bunch of threads with people removing the air dams. But have they started coming from the factory without the dam? I went to two dealerships around Phoenix today and there was no air dam on the few Sport S’s they had in stock. Even made sure it had the sport sticker to confirm.

I’m planning to order a Max Tow Sport S and would love for it to come that way. So just curious if there is a way to order it stock without. Unfortunately the salesmen weren’t familiar with it enough to know.

Their website has photos up as well but not sure if we can link to dealer sites.
My 2020 Sport S did not have air dams
 

TheHime

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My 2020 came with the air dams. I remember that if you got the color matched fender which used to be an upgrade the bumper would not come with the air dams “premium bumper”. I believe for 2021 the JTs all come standard with the colored fenders which gives you the premium bumper.

Jeep Gladiator 2021 Sport S coming without the air dam? AF08CE86-E7FF-4C03-925E-AFB098ACAB13
 

lrtexasman

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My 2020 came with the air dams. I remember that if you got the color matched fender which used to be an upgrade the bumper would not come with the air dams “premium bumper”. I believe for 2021 the JTs all come standard with the colored fenders which gives you the premium bumper.

AF08CE86-E7FF-4C03-925E-AFB098ACAB13.jpeg
The regular Sports still have the piece. The Sport S does not.

Jeep Gladiator 2021 Sport S coming without the air dam? 58A4DFB7-F38C-4403-9368-149EE64DF657
 

TheHime

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The regular Sports still have the piece. The Sport S does not.

58A4DFB7-F38C-4403-9368-149EE64DF657.png
That makes sense. My bad I was talking in context of the Sport S. I think the air dams are relative to if you get the colored match fenders or not.
 

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Dartboy

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I copied the details from their website, building one on the Jeep site, it looks like adding the Automatic transmission triggers the bumper upgrade and filler piece delete-
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  • Speed Sensitive Power Locks
  • Automatic Headlamps
  • Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
  • Body Color Fender Flares (2-Piece)
  • Front 1-Touch Down Power Windows
  • Sport S
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  • Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic (850RE)
  • Speed Sensitive Power Locks
  • Automatic Headlamps
  • Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
  • Molded in Color Bumper w/Accent Color
  • Body Color Fender Flares (2-Piece)
  • Front 1-Touch Down Power Windows
  • Sport S
  • Power Heated Mirrors
  • Daytime Running Lamp System
  • Security Alarm
  • Power Tailgate Lock
  • Remote Keyless Entry
  • Sun Visors w/Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
 

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Cool glad you solved the riddle, lol. I never see the Sport S manuals on the lot in my area.
 

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I order a Sport S Max Tow yesterday. While the colored flares are now part of the S package, black fenders are still a no cost option, which I got as I do not like the body color flares or bumper with silver accents. So, I am curious if I will have the filler between the bumper and fenders and hopefully a fully black bumper.
 

SuburbanGP88

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I prefer black fenders with no filler and air dam. I only got the no filler with body colored fenders and no air dam on my 21 Sport S.
 

TheHime

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I prefer the black fenders also because the colored ones get all scratched up from trail riding. Also it’s super easy to trim the air dams if you are not a fan.
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