THX !Here's a pic of mine. I've removed the air dam so the connector is taped to the wiring harness above...
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I’ve had mine off a few months and have a Diablo installed, no error code.Yep, I’ve also had mine off for around 6mo and no issues. That said, it’s possible the truck has an error code if I were to plug into an OBDII reader, and I simply am unaware of it... not sure.
I have had my truck into the dealer 3x since removing the air dams, and it’s never come up in discussion.
I'm at 33K miles and the only change I've made is to swap tires to the XL-rated Nitto Ridge Grapplers (OEM size). On the freeway (70 mph) my instantaneous MPG is in the mid-20s.My MPG has been pretty rough since making all of my modifications... I swapped to 33” Rebel tires, leveled the truck (+2” up front), and removed the air dam. I expected all of those things to reduce fuel economy, but I’m typically around 15-16mpg on the highway now. I actually don’t have a great sense for where the truck would be without these changes since I made them so early in my ownership.
I'm at 33K miles and the only change I've made is to swap tires to the XL-rated Nitto Ridge Grapplers (OEM size). On the freeway (70 mph) my instantaneous MPG is in the mid-20s.
That's flat freeway with the cruise control set at 70 mph (instantaneous MPG). Obviously it fluctuates a little bit but it hangs around the mid-20s on the flats (sunny day with little to no wind). If I take my foot off the gas it goes to 99 mpg.That’s your average, or you take the foot off the gas and see instantaneous mid-20s? Mid-20s average on flat highway at 70mph sounds hard to believe for a Hemi... I encounter plenty of times at 70mph where my instantaneous shows 20s, but over a long trip I’d be very lucky to be in the 16s for average.
Your warranty won't cover any road hazards, so it wouldn't matter if you have the air dams or not. That would be an insurance claim. If you're worried about something like that happening you can add a skid plate.I’m also tempted to remove my valance but it’s there for aerodynamics and to help keep debris from flying up into the engine bay from the road. For instance, my wife and I were riding down I95 N one day in her Mercedes C250. It was clear and medium traffic when I noticed something in the road just ahead of us. Wood and metal, maybe just under a foot tall and I had just enough time to swerve around it but the poor guy behind us in a Civic took it right in the bumper destroying the cover and somehow getting under and puncturing the radiator. Granted it was low to the ground car but something that size could possibly even get under the valance of our 1500’s and do some major damage, maybe more so without the valance. If that did happen without the valance there, would the dealer cover any warranty repairs caused by that knowing the valance had been remove previously? I don’t care for the valance either but I’d rather keep it on just for that reason alone. That’s my 2 cents anyway.
It did make me briefly consider relocating the intercooler to a horizontal configuration. Working on a skid plate & Front receiver hitch design right now that would benefit from it not being there, but not sure I want to tackle that job.What's an intercooler?
Just kidding...I hadn't considered that since both our trucks are Hemi's. Good information though for those that do have the EcoDiesel.
I wanted to do the same, but not worth the cost of parts. This is a solid option!That looks really good! I have been looking for a Rebel Bumper for my truck but........I think you just convinced me to just remove my air dam instead.
Excellent! Thanks so much for posting this.I am not a fan of the front air dam/valence. What’s the point of having a truck with 6” of clearance in the front. Always find myself catching them on snow in the winter.
I searched around looking for pictures and information around issues with a dash light if the active air dam was removed. Found a couple pictures but no other information so I wanted to post up for others who wanted to remove the air dam and active air dam.
The active air dam is a simple electric connection and 4 12mm bolts. I taped up the connection to keep weather out and zip tied it to itself out of the way. If anyone knows a blank plug cap for this connection please post below. I was worried disconnecting might throw a check engine light or something but have had absolutely no issues.
The front air dam is just a matter of removing 15ish (didn’t take an actual count) 10mm nuts, 3 plastic clips, and 2 10mm nuts holding on plastic brackets. Then it just drops down and you’re done.
Now I understand these are for aerodynamics and better fuel mileage.I didn’t make this thread to get into the advantages and disadvantages of the air dams being there vs not. Just wanted to show some before and after pictures and a brief right up.
I am very happy with how it looks.
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Also, not sure if you picked up the backflip yet, but I have bought 2 encore tonneau covers (one for my old tundra and another for the ram) and they are excellent. That being said, I rarely need full bed access, but when I do the cover comes off really easy and only weighs maybe 30/40lb Food for thoughtThat looks really good! I have been looking for a Rebel Bumper for my truck but........I think you just convinced me to just remove my air dam instead.