What is this called?

[agesilaus]

OK what is that black plastic piece, under the bumper and which stretches all the way across the bottom front of the truck called? I have a F350. I thought it might be the dam but that doesn't not find the part. I looked thru the Rock Auto body part section but could not find one.

I wasn't too worried at first but it's loss actually exposes some rods and other parts plus I think it might affect mileage.

Any help is appreciated.

[Grit_dog]

I presumed you’ve already towed with your truck and didn’t have any issues.
And you won’t have any issues either, fwiw.
Too bad, I’ve thrown 2 of them for that style truck in the garbage.

[agesilaus]

Are you looking for a solution to a problem you don't have?

Hmmm..you lost me here. Since I will be towing a fairly heavy RV out west the explanation above seems to apply to my truck.

[Grit_dog]

agesilaus wrote:
There are a couple on Amazon at $99, now I know the name. One has good reviews and comes with all the hardware. I'm going to order one of those. Thanks for all the answers and especially the explanation of what it does.

Are you looking for a solution to a problem you don't have?

[Lwiddis]

Never heard of any name except air dam. Learning everyday.

[Me_Again]

JRscooby wrote:


Back in the day, we would put spacers between hinge and hood, to get a gap about half inch. That let a lot of heat get away from that 427, drop the temp much quicker after top the hill. Going up hill, grossing 110,000 was hard to hold enough speed for airflow.

427 towing a 110,000 gross load?????

[agesilaus]

There are a couple on Amazon at $99, now I know the name. One has good reviews and comes with all the hardware. I'm going to order one of those. Thanks for all the answers and especially the explanation of what it does.

[ford_truck_guy]

agesilaus wrote:
OK what is that black plastic piece, under the bumper and which stretches all the way across the bottom front of the truck called? I have a F350. I thought it might be the dam but that doesn't not find the part. I looked thru the Rock Auto body part section but could not find one.

I wasn't too worried at first but it's loss actually exposes some rods and other parts plus I think it might affect mileage.

Any help is appreciated.

** Lower Air valance . . . Shop around, I just replaced the one on my old 2015 and found it for $100 with free delivery.. I just do not remember where I found it??? I will try and find the paperwork.

Try here - lower air valance

[JRscooby]

JIMNLIN wrote:
Our older trucks didn't have the front under the bumper air dam. Engineers found air flow under the engine bay wouldn't let hot air escape fast enough and was creating hot running engines when pulling a heavy trailer (example).

The air dam helps create low pressures under the engine bay which allows more air flow through the radiator ...over the engine and on out the bottom.
This was happening when I was towing for a living. Sooo... we made air dams for our older trucks or bought them from a dealer if our trucks had the same bumpers. Worked great on my 454 GM trucks. No more fried spark plug wires and no more hot starter motor/no crank issues.

Never noticed any mpg changes in that type of work. Just a steady 4-6 mpg on those old carbureted BB engines.

Newer trucks ?? Truck MFG engineers can give us the skinny on their use today.

Back in the day, we would put spacers between hinge and hood, to get a gap about half inch. That let a lot of heat get away from that 427, drop the temp much quicker after top the hill. Going up hill, grossing 110,000 was hard to hold enough speed for airflow.

[Blazing_Zippers]

JIMNLIN, that's the first time I've ever had that explained.
Make sense. Thanks

[Grit_dog]

You won't notice a significant difference in mileage and the truck will maintian temp fine without it, but they do have a small effect on both. Think helping achieve EPA targets.

They are not there to "protect" anything. Hard to keep from ripping them off if you're using a truck off road.
But mildly worth while for highway and towing.

[JIMNLIN]

Our older trucks didn't have the front under the bumper air dam. Engineers found air flow under the engine bay wouldn't let hot air escape fast enough and was creating hot running engines when pulling a heavy trailer (example).

The air dam helps create low pressures under the engine bay which allows more air flow through the radiator ...over the engine and on out the bottom.
This was happening when I was towing for a living. Sooo... we made air dams for our older trucks or bought them from a dealer if our trucks had the same bumpers. Worked great on my 454 GM trucks. No more fried spark plug wires and no more hot starter motor/no crank issues.

Never noticed any mpg changes in that type of work. Just a steady 4-6 mpg on those old carbureted BB engines.

Newer trucks ?? Truck MFG engineers can give us the skinny on their use today.

[agesilaus]

Thanks, it's also called the 'air valence' and at $178 it's either gone for good or a junk yard trip is in the cards.

[Home_Skillet]

It is the air dam.
Routes air from getting under the vehicle, which reduces fuel economy.
You can remove it. I seriously doubt you would notice any change in your fuel economy.

[ShinerBock]

It is called a bumper valance.