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DIY Air Dam
#798060 November 05th 2022 1:59 am
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 30
Likes: 9
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I made an air dam for my van from two '87-'90 Dakota air dams. My van is an '87 but I think the '86-'93 bumpers are the same. Here is how I did it.

The air dams were literally pulled from Dakotas at LKQ. The bolts were too rusted to loosen so I pried it off with a screwdriver. Only the center is used and can be welded up later.
[Linked Image]
I used an oscillating multi-tool to cut the ends off the first air dam 26" from the center. The other air dam was cut 20" from the center on each side for the corners.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
The pieces were clamped to the bumper to check fitment and mark the mounting holes.
[Linked Image]
There was a 1.25" gap between the bottom of the fenders and the corners of the air dam. From the ends of the first air dam, mark and cut 1.25" by 7.5" sections from the upper corner.
[Linked Image]
I clamped the pieces to a hood and welded them together with a cheap Harbor Freight 80w plastic welding kit. I used SS screen to strengthen the inside of the seams.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
I then made some nut plates to bolt it to the bumper, it had three mounting holes. Clip nuts hold the ends to the fenders which I drilled for the bolts.
[Linked Image]
The ends stuck out past the wheel well so they had to be trimmed also. Not show quality but neither is the rest of the van.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Cheers

Re: DIY Air Dam
Biscuit Gravy #798543 November 15th 2022 10:38 am
Joined: Mar 2007
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pooh-bah
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Nice job Biscuit Gravy! And thanks for the tutorial. Your air dam looks better than the bulky, low-hanging one I got for my old B-100 van from J. C. Whitney back in the 1980s.

Have you noticed any difference in how your van feels while driving, or in under hood temperatures or fuel economy?


-It's been such a LONG TIME... BlueShift>> 1981 Dodge Ram B250 Custom Sportsman Maxi Van


[Linked Image]

It's what you learn after you know it all, that counts...

Are you living to work, or working to live?

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Learning from my own mistakes is good, learning from yours would be much better! [Linked Image]
Re: DIY Air Dam
Biscuit Gravy #798552 November 15th 2022 11:32 am
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,256
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Master Metal Sculptor
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Master Metal Sculptor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,256
Likes: 164
That looks great

Re: DIY Air Dam
Biscuit Gravy #798572 November 15th 2022 11:06 pm
Joined: Aug 2002
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Nice work man 👍


[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Arianrhod:2003 Chevy Astro
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Re: DIY Air Dam
Ram4ever #798573 November 15th 2022 11:25 pm
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Thanks! The handling doesn't feel different, but I've just been putting around town. The temp seems a little lower but I'm missing the panel at the bottom of the radiator that keeps air pressure from bleeding underneath. I haven't had a chance to test the mpg yet. Hopefully I can drive it to Florida in January to get new mpg numbers. I average around 15.5mpg (freeway) but if I keep it under 65mph I can get 17. I plan to make an undertray that spans from the air dam to the crossmember.

Re: DIY Air Dam
Biscuit Gravy #798582 November 16th 2022 8:19 am
Joined: May 2018
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BiscuitGravy has that Dodge sitting right.


When in doubt..get the sawzall out..
Re: DIY Air Dam
Biscuit Gravy #798884 November 24th 2022 11:43 am
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,510
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Master Yard Rat
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The Dakota air dams also fit the late 60’s to mid 70’s A body Mopars. My buddy pulled one for his Barracuda not too long ago.


You hear the thunder of stampeding rhinos, elephants and tacky tigers
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