Quote:
Originally Posted by richdonn
Hi. Just got an F-150 and it had a bug deflector attached to the front edge of the hood.
I'm wondering if this is actually useful, or does it just mess up the designed aerodynamics of the truck? Seems like it would.
What say you, smart people?
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First, I know for sure a hood guard upsets the aerodynamics... and would cause more drag... thus lowering fuel economy. Probably so little it can't be measured. I know this because my 2010 Silverado had a terrible squeaking / rattling noise between the roof and headliner just above the windshield not before but after I attached the shield. Essentially with the shield installed the air is so turbulent as it passes over the windshield and roof it shakes the roof. It was really bad when driving into a headwind. I just put up with it and at least now the squeaking stopped. Apparently Chevy didn't glue the insulation to the bottom of the roof... I think it is something on the order of Styrofoam. You know how bad Styrofoam squeaks against itself. For me not getting rock chips in that area is worth it and I would do it again. It seems to keep bugs off the extreme bottom... around the wipers when down.
I have a red 2010 Silverado half ton. My old truck, a 2002, with 125K miles had many chips one of them huge... caused by flying debris (rocks and more rocks) on the front of the hood. So the new truck got a deflector / shield within the first 2 weeks of purchase. Having noticed some PU trucks with the deflector matching the paint color, I bought a clear Aeroshield; bought matching paint from O'Reilly's (they have the best selection); prep'd (fine 3m pad and wax / grease remover - do not use sandpaper) and painted the BACKSIDE of the defector. I put on 5 or 6 thin coats, so as not to cause a run waiting 10 to 15 minutes between coats. Taping so the paint doesn't get on the front and edges took more time than the actual painting. After a year and a half it still looks almost new and cleans off great. Keep it waxed.
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