Removing front bumper valance / air dam

[harlenm]

Is there any custom front parking camera/sensor kit that one can install to help against these concrete bumpers? I'm talking about sensors or a camera that can be activated on-demand when parking into such spots.

Get a lockpick and install a camera in the front.

http://www.coastaletech.com/mytouch.htm

 

[meganjoe]

pics?

 

[ocracokeBound]

Front Air Dam No More

So, after our 3ft snowstorm in VA I was playing with the ex in some snow banks and ripped the front air dam off. Now this part has always been a thorn in my side as the end pieces get knocked off by the ruts and holes in the rural roads. Looking at the truck I don't mind the loss of plastic and as a beach driver I can see advantages. I know I will loose a bit of highway mpg, but is there any huge reason to put that thing back on?

 

[Gadget X]

You'll gain some on your approach angle, and you might lose 1 mpg on the highway! I'd leave it off, personally.

 

[CajunFordEx]

So, after our 3ft snowstorm in VA I was playing with the ex in some snow banks and ripped the front air dam off. Now this part has always been a thorn in my side as the end pieces get knocked off by the ruts and holes in the rural roads. Looking at the truck I don't mind the loss of plastic and as a beach driver I can see advantages. I know I will loose a bit of highway mpg, but is there any huge reason to put that thing back on?

It should not effect MPG whether it is on or off. I don't know if you have a limited or a sport but that air dam is for cooling purposes. It helps cool the transmission during towing and cools the rear turbo on the sport (and now the platinum also). There are a few folks that have left it off.

 

[peterk9]

It should not effect MPG whether it is on or off. I don't know if you have a limited or a sport but that air dam is for cooling purposes. It helps cool the transmission during towing and cools the rear turbo on the sport (and now the platinum also). There are a few folks that have left it off.

It is actually part of the overall aerodynamics of the Ex as are the 2 small flaps in front of the rear wheels.

Peter

 

[ocracokeBound]

It should not effect MPG whether it is on or off. I don't know if you have a limited or a sport but that air dam is for cooling purposes. It helps cool the transmission during towing and cools the rear turbo on the sport (and now the platinum also). There are a few folks that have left it off.

I have the cowl that sends the air back to the transmission that comes with the tow package. I usually only put it on if I am going to tow, because like the air dam it tends to get knocked off.

 

[Halwg]

I cut mine off when I first got the vehicle because it drug on a horse turd. I have never noticed one Iota of difference in gas mileage.

 

[CajunFordEx]

I have the cowl that sends the air back to the transmission that comes with the tow package. I usually only put it on if I am going to tow, because like the air dam it tends to get knocked off.

That is what I understood you to be asking about in your OP. Sorry for the mix up.
I thought the part under the front bumper was called a spoiler.

 

[ocracokeBound]

Halwg nice job. Actually I don't mind the aesthetics I think the look goes better with mud

 

[peterk9]

That is what I understood you to be asking about in your OP. Sorry for the mix up.
I thought the part under the front bumper was called a spoiler.

According to fordparts.com it is a Bumper Valance Panel.

Peter

 

[tinner]

Thought it was for snow removal and horse turds as well as rubbing on parking lot curbs,lol. They do sit low.

Halwg, that does look clean.

 

[CajunFordEx]

According to fordparts.com it is a Bumper Valance Panel.

Peter

That part has many names it appears. http://www.carid.com/bumper-lips.html

 

[ocracokeBound]

A couple of tanks of gas later, normally I am at 20 mpg, and I am still exactly the same. The plastic is not going back on. The Ex is about one year from semi-retirement anyways, I am dying to see what the Model 3 crossover is going to be like.

 

[Halwg]

Interestingly I changed jobs, got a 2016 Explorer and now I have the thingy hanging down again. Since this vehicle is a corporate lease, I won't be chopping the air dam on this one!

 

[CajunFordEx]

Interestingly I changed jobs, got a 2016 Explorer and now I have the thingy hanging down again. Since this vehicle is a corporate lease, I won't be chopping the air dam on this one!

How do you like the little 2.3L motor? Is it comparable to the 3.5L NA engine?

 

[Halwg]

How do you like the little 2.3L motor? Is it comparable to the 3.5L NA engine?

Interestingly, I think it has better pick-up than the 3.5L. I just got the car on Friday and only have 230 miles on it, so I haven't had a lot of change to tell mileage wise what it's doing. But it doesn't lack in power and runs pretty smoothly.

I was able to get 24.5 highway and 18 city on the 3.5. I'll see how the 2.3 compares to that.

 

[peterk9]

Interestingly, I think it has better pick-up than the 3.5L. I just got the car on Friday and only have 230 miles on it, so I haven't had a lot of change to tell mileage wise what it's doing. But it doesn't lack in power and runs pretty smoothly.

I was able to get 24.5 highway and 18 city on the 3.5. I'll see how the 2.3 compares to that.

I can see why it would have better "pick up".
The NA 3.5L V6 has 255 ft-lbs torque @ 4000 rpm while the 2.3L Ecoboost has 310 ft-lbs torque @ 3000 rpm. HP for the 3.5 is 290 @ 6500 rpm and the 2.3 has 280 @ 5600 rpm.

Peter

 

[5erdriver]

Do we really need the front air dam? I'd like to take it off for more front end ground clearance. Would doing so interfere with engine or transmission cooling? Any cons to taking it off?

 

[Machine090767]

I read somewhere that the air dam is to reduce wind resistance. As for transmission and engine cooling, I doubt taking it off will have any effect.