Possibly pointless, MPG hack for New front bumper & winch

[Cmikel]

Just put a new bumper and winch on the JT. When deciding what to do with everything I took off; After a few beers, I decided to try to modify the front plastic air dam to help with MPG loss and keep crap off the front suspension parts.
I have NO idea if this will work or do anything but I wanted to share with this awesome group of people here who are constantly trying new things with their Gladiators.
Chris

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[kevman65]

I think you'll find that the bumper width has more to do with it than the skid plate under the bumper.

The stock bumper moved the air so the front tires weren't trying to carve a path through the air. With your current bumper, your front tires are exposed to the air current and trying to carve a path as you move forward.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yes - even though I removed about 40 pounds taking the wings off my steel Rubicon style bumper, the mpg dropped because the course tread on my tires were now exposed to the on-rushing air.

The air dam being under there helps.

And by "modify front air dam" - it looks like you removed it. If so, you think doing that will HELP MPGs? Why do you think it was put there in the first place

I think he's got the pics reversed - the lower pic is the metal backing for the plastic air dam. Likely he put the metal backing in place and then put the plastic air dam back. He would have had those off to install the bumper because the air dam attaches to the stock bumper.
So if the pics were reversed - it would show he put the metal backing and bracket on, then the air dam. Both were off for the bumper install and the metal backing acts as a retainer or clip for the air dam. The air dam definitely helps. I've been on and off with that sort of stuff with mine since I had to un-modify my 2020 for trade for my 2022 - and I'll be doing things with the 2022 - but with a better plan this time, I hope...........

Anyway, the air dam absolutely helps. I've watched GM and others do their testing and it's amazing what even RAM has done with an air dam that lowers for highway use, and can retract up for off-roading. The air going under the truck is very important. GM has even found that properly shaped running boards help as well.

I may be looking into an aluminum bumper so I can keep the weight down but keep the fronts of the tires a bit less exposed than running with the wings or extensions off.
Plus - I have discovered that driving with the fronts of the tires open like that allows my own front wheels to toss rocks into the air which I run into with the truck. My 2020 had the proof on the hood, and a close call with the windshield as I turned a corner, saw my front tire throw a rock and I ran into it! I like the ends of the bumper off but not at the expense of MPG and rock damage. It's a @#$% when your own truck throws the rock at itself.

 

[Cmikel]

I may have to cut off the side

Wait, you have a winch and you're running street tires

And by "modify front air dam" - it looks like you removed it. If so, you think doing that will HELP MPGs? Why do you think it was put there in the first place

Just got the new Gladiator and haven't replaced the tires yet or done a lift. The first picture is after the air dam was reinstalled.

 

[Jaxmax]

Plastic air dam or factory metal skid plate both help with directing air down and away from the undercarriage of Jeep, nice job…..Jack

 

[Cmikel]

Yes - even though I removed about 40 pounds taking the wings off my steel Rubicon style bumper, the mpg dropped because the course tread on my tires were now exposed to the on-rushing air.

The air dam being under there helps.



I think he's got the pics reversed - the lower pic is the metal backing for the plastic air dam. Likely he put the metal backing in place and then put the plastic air dam back. He would have had those off to install the bumper because the air dam attaches to the stock bumper.
So if the pics were reversed - it would show he put the metal backing and bracket on, then the air dam. Both were off for the bumper install and the metal backing acts as a retainer or clip for the air dam. The air dam definitely helps. I've been on and off with that sort of stuff with mine since I had to un-modify my 2020 for trade for my 2022 - and I'll be doing things with the 2022 - but with a better plan this time, I hope...........

Anyway, the air dam absolutely helps. I've watched GM and others do their testing and it's amazing what even RAM has done with an air dam that lowers for highway use, and can retract up for off-roading. The air going under the truck is very important. GM has even found that properly shaped running boards help as well.

I may be looking into an aluminum bumper so I can keep the weight down but keep the fronts of the tires a bit less exposed than running with the wings or extensions off.
Plus - I have discovered that driving with the fronts of the tires open like that allows my own front wheels to toss rocks into the air which I run into with the truck. My 2020 had the proof on the hood, and a close call with the windshield as I turned a corner, saw my front tire throw a rock and I ran into it! I like the ends of the bumper off but not at the expense of MPG and rock damage. It's a @#$% when your own truck throws the rock at itself.

Yes - even though I removed about 40 pounds taking the wings off my steel Rubicon style bumper, the mpg dropped because the course tread on my tires were now exposed to the on-rushing air.

The air dam being under there helps.



I think he's got the pics reversed - the lower pic is the metal backing for the plastic air dam. Likely he put the metal backing in place and then put the plastic air dam back. He would have had those off to install the bumper because the air dam attaches to the stock bumper.
So if the pics were reversed - it would show he put the metal backing and bracket on, then the air dam. Both were off for the bumper install and the metal backing acts as a retainer or clip for the air dam. The air dam definitely helps. I've been on and off with that sort of stuff with mine since I had to un-modify my 2020 for trade for my 2022 - and I'll be doing things with the 2022 - but with a better plan this time, I hope...........

Anyway, the air dam absolutely helps. I've watched GM and others do their testing and it's amazing what even RAM has done with an air dam that lowers for highway use, and can retract up for off-roading. The air going under the truck is very important. GM has even found that properly shaped running boards help as well.

I may be looking into an aluminum bumper so I can keep the weight down but keep the fronts of the tires a bit less exposed than running with the wings or extensions off.
Plus - I have discovered that driving with the fronts of the tires open like that allows my own front wheels to toss rocks into the air which I run into with the truck. My 2020 had the proof on the hood, and a close call with the windshield as I turned a corner, saw my front tire throw a rock and I ran into it! I like the ends of the bumper off but not at the expense of MPG and rock damage. It's a @#$% when your own truck throws the rock at itself.

Yes, The First Picture is after; Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Cmikel]

Also, completely side note, but I traded my 2021 Willy's and the new Gladiator said on the build sheet it had A/T tires. I knew the tires would not be as aggressive as the Firestone destination M/T, but these Bridgestone Duellers look like ordinary street tires and are severely disappointing. I'll be fixing that soon once I do a small lift.

 

[Kevin_D]

Also, completely side note, but I traded my 2021 Willy's and the new Gladiator said on the build sheet it had A/T tires. I knew the tires would not be as aggressive as the Firestone destination M/T, but these Bridgestone Duellers look like ordinary street tires and are severely disappointing. I'll be fixing that soon once I do a small lift.

Those are the Dueler A/S tires. And yeah, they suck. The Dueler A/T tires aren't bad: that's what I run year 'round.

Kevin

 

[DocMike]

Jeep did extensive wind tunnel testing on the JT to improve mileage....
Yes. It will keep crap off the suspension and probably help a bit with MPG....time to test that theory.

 

[NachoRuby]

Also, completely side note, but I traded my 2021 Willy's and the new Gladiator said on the build sheet it had A/T tires. I knew the tires would not be as aggressive as the Firestone destination M/T, but these Bridgestone Duellers look like ordinary street tires and are severely disappointing. I'll be fixing that soon once I do a small lift.

They aren't too bad, as long as it isn't too muddy. And they're good in snow. Those look like the same ATs on my wife's wrangler. They are Bridgestone Dueler ATs, but not the more aggressive revo3s which I run on my gladiator. If they are what's on our Wrangler, they are Bridgestone Dueler AT RH-S's. They have a couple of different AT offerings, and the RH-S tires are on the mild side of AT, and the Revos are a bit more off-road oriented. I'm in the minority, because I like Bridgestones, but the RH-S gives decent off-road traction for a very streetable tire that's also very good in all weather, and doesn't kill gas mileage.

 

[Cmikel]

Those are the Dueler A/S tires. And yeah, they suck. The Dueler A/T tires aren't bad: that's what I run year 'round.

Kevin

This was on the window sticker. I thought they would be actual A/T tire.

 

[Cmikel]

Jeep did extensive wind tunnel testing on the JT to improve mileage....
Yes. It will keep crap off the suspension and probably help a bit with MPG....time to test that theory.

I'm ready to test it out and report back. I'm not a MPG Nazi or a MPGs don't matter because it's a Jeep. I'm more a, Hey I want to go overlanding with my daily drive and see what I can I do to minimize my pain at the pump guy.

 

[Kevin_D]

This was on the window sticker. I thought they would be actual A/T tire.

My JT came with All Season tires, which were Bridgestone Dueler H/T...

...and they truly sucked.

What I have now are the Dueler A/T RH-S...

Which have performed pretty well, but are getting a bit thin after ~43,000 miles.
I have a replacement set, also Dueler A/T RH-S...

Seems a few tens of thousands of miles makes a difference.

Kevin

 

[KSP938]

Not trying to be negative but if everyone is so worried about mpg's they should probably go back to driving a Prius and not a brick. I really don't understand the complaints about mpg when it is Cleary stated on the widow sticker.

 

[Dartboy]

“like the mouse said as he pissed in the ocean- every little bit helps”

The tires that came on my Max Tow are the same as the bottom Duellers, surprisingly decent in snow, but I too was expecting something a bit more aggressive

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