brain fart MPG idea

[JBakerFX4]

Ok, I had a brain fart idea today. We know the tonoue cover deal, and we know making a slanted covering from the roof to the tail gate is "ideal". So what if you bought a cheap, crappy ugly topper, and did some hacking/modifications to it. and use a snap fit vinyl on the top, and use the topper as a frame/side/front support system. I'd be very cursious as to what affect that would have on MPG's for a bone stock 4x4 6.0 CC/SB setup. that would be an awsome magazine write up for a diesel power.

[!!!PainTrain!!!]

Sounds good, but wouldn't the extra weight of the topper offset any MPG advantage?

[vshortt]

Originally Posted by !!!PainTrain!!!

Sounds good, but wouldn't the extra weight of the topper offset any MPG advantage?

Only one way to find out, I suppose. Commence to moddin'!

[Banshee34]

Check out mythbusters, they did a whole show about these theories.

[JBakerFX4]

Someone posted a link in a different thread about similar ideas... some guy with a Red Xcab 7.3 getting 26mpg hwy. That guy lowered it, and built a custom vinyl enclosure like I detailed at first. and it's on pizza cutters... full blown go fast save fuel F250. Only issue I see with what he did, is it's kina expensive and pointless. b/c now you have a lowrider, covered up pickup. not a lot of use.

[Marty]

Dave Whitmer I believe his name is...

[southmike]

great idea..but like so many ..already been done.

Originally Posted by Maintain

Dave Whitmer I believe his name is...

yep and it was in DP or DW mag...article under 26mpg powerstroke...
that is almost some rides.

[Streak]

That's actually a damn good idea, although it would too short (unless you had a short box and ordered the long box version). All you'd have to do is build the sides.

I've been thinking about how to do this myself, and there is actually a better design possible (curved), I just haven't worked out the math yet (end of the semester = no time to engage in such things)

2000 Ford F350 Power Stroke Diesel Truck Mileage - Diesel Power Magazine

There's the article.

Originally Posted by JBakerFX4

Someone posted a link in a different thread about similar ideas... some guy with a Red Xcab 7.3 getting 26mpg hwy. That guy lowered it, and built a custom vinyl enclosure like I detailed at first. and it's on pizza cutters... full blown go fast save fuel F250. Only issue I see with what he did, is it's kina expensive and pointless. b/c now you have a lowrider, covered up pickup. not a lot of use.

And yeah, why bother driving a fullsize if you're going to essentially neuter it's pickup truck capabilities? A hinge on this thing would be crucial. Look up "kamm backs" and you'll see the curved design I'm talking about (think the back of a prius)

[HunterJ]

Originally Posted by Streak

And yeah, why bother driving a fullsize if you're going to essentially neuter it's pickup truck capabilities? A hinge on this thing would be crucial.

Yeah he put a set of 3.08 gears in it.

You could just build a custom front end thats pointed like a rocket and chop the top.
The main reason why is your truck is aerodynamic as a barn door at 55+ MPH

[Streak]

Originally Posted by Harohunter

Yeah he put a set of 3.08 gears in it. LAME

You could just build a custom front end thats pointed like a rocket and chop the top.

Rockets aren't the optimal aerodynamic shape, raindrops/teardrops are. The top doesn't matter much (although it does contribute to frontal area).

You probably get the best gains in this order:

1. Airdam (Possibly in conjunction with lowering it, but that defeats the purpose of having a truck
2. Aerodynamic (not flat) bedcover
3. Grill blocking (the huge radiators don't need all that air when not towing)
4. Bellypan/diffuser after rear axle

Part of the problem is that a lot of modifications aren't suitable for truck use, especially if you go offroad. Then there's the whole heat dissipation thing that comes up when you start blocking things off.

Commercially produced aerodynamic pickup bed cap - Ecomodder.com Fuel Economy Forum

A gem

Ecomodder.com Fuel Economy Forum

Master's of engineering thesis