Nate-03 D

I don't even know if it is called that or this is the right fourm to put this in but here it goes.

The Black plastic lip that hangs on the front of our trucks, right under the front liscence plate. Where could someone order one? I was out in the Sierra Nevada Mountains muddin around w/ some buddies and I came over a ridge to fast not knowing what was on the other side. Well a rock was sitting there, it only hit the valace(is that even what's it's called?) Since the plastic hangers ripped I just tore off the whole peiece and tossed it. I'm now thinking about putting one back on, it's starting to look odd, only after 2 years of having it missing.

Are the peices just to deflect debris from hitting the under carrage of the truck?

Thanks and have a great Labor Day.

3500_CTD

yea thats what its called a front lower valance you can get one at the dealer if im not mistaken it should be around like 125.00 i had to look it up for one of my friends he hit his also and was gonna get a new one but yea just go to any dodge dealer and they can get you one or see if a local body shop can order you one.

Nate-03 D

Yea I was thinking the dealer would have them. I didn't know if they would sell them or you would have to get them aftermarket or something.

Thanks.

Townsend600

I've seriously been thinking of taking mine off. How much would it be worth

soulezoo

FWIW, that piece is an air deflector designed to reroute air down from your front end stuff. It is worth about .5 mpg believe it or not!!

3500_CTD

yea they will have them wether they have to order it or they have it in stock thats depends on the dealer but yea they will sell to anyone
as far as aftermarket i dont think they make them and i wouldnt get it aftermarket nothing after market ever fits good.

Patriot2500

Nate I have mine off my truck and boxed up already. Took it off when I installed my plow last year. Someone was supposed to buy it but I never got any money. PM me if you are interested.

Nate-03 D

soulezoo- A .5 mpg difference? I thought it was just there for "curb appeal", I had no idea it would help the mpg? Did you read an article on that or what?

Patriot2500- PM sent.

Thanks for all the replies fellas.

soulezoo

Nope-- just simple aerodynamics-- think about why a small lift kit causes a loss of gas mileage. A larger frontal area creating more drag. Most all of that extra drag comes from the air going underneath the truck and starts to hit things like the axle and whatnot. The top of the truck is the same and the air still flows over it the same. The air deflector days started in the 60's. Off the top of my head, the old Mustangs were using them on their BOSS series. It's not window dressing-- it is functional and there for a purpose. It diverts air down toward the ground and to the sides of the truck instead of having that airflow navigate the axle, tie rods, skid plates, tranny and etc. And yes, on our trucks it is worth about .5 mpg at highway speeds.

Nate-03 D

Yea that makes sense. I do have the aerodynamics of a barnyard door.

MikeyB

Took mine off years ago. No difference in fuel economy or engine cooling.

MikeyB

SlowSixSpeed

Mine found its way in the garbage can a week after I bought it.

I cracked it the first time I hit deep snow which is a common occurance where I live....Sierra Nevada's

If I would have replaced it I'd probably be on my 4th or 5th one. I actually have rock rash on the bottom of the chrome bumper.

Plastic doesnt belong on the bottom of my steel bumper.

Even if there's a slim chance of saving .5 mpg on my 4.5" lifted 1 ton on 35's it's probably still cheaper then replacing it evey time it cracks and then dangles in the wind.

But if I had a 2wd and lived somewhere where it wouldnt come in contact with anything then I would leave it.


P.S. Your local dealership will be able to get you anything that came stock on your truck.

Dieseljunkie

I ripped mine off after I busted it on a snow bank. I like it better without, the dealer is about the only place to get one.
Scott

Danderson

Ditto here. Took mine off this weekend. Never had one on my '99 either. I can see my Carli/Defiant rockshield now. Without the rockshield it might act as a deterrent for objects on the freeway or something.

Danderson

Slow Speed Six. You might look at the Defiant product's website. Their rockshield is shown. Fits perfectly and truly installs in thirty minutes. If you look under these trucks,everything is vulnerable. You can make your own for less if you don't mind spending time and fuel trying to save a $100. Nice product.