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PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:59 pm 
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Well, doesn't look as though the airtabs will be here in time for install before the trip down to TX. If I'd thought, I could have had them shipped to my friends in TX and put them on while I was down there, and gave them a good trial on the trip back. Oh well.

I am looking at trying out the grill blockers on the trip down. Darby, any further word on what you've found the optimum setup to be with these? Since I've got the V6 airbox, I was looking at 2 on each side and leaving the center 3 slots open.

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PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:39 pm 
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Guys. I just installed my 5 air tabs on the roof today and went out to work I am a travelling salesman so I drive a lot and the first thing I noticed was how quiet it was. I removed my muffler about 5 months ago and always had a constant drone from the rear end because of no muffler all gone now. and I noticed a big difference when a large semi would go by me on a two lane hwy it also felt like I did not have to correct the steering wheel near as much and it seemed to track much better on some stretches of hwy I would go a half a mile before I would have to touch the steering wheel so far I have driven about 200 miles and I love the results.


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PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:54 pm 
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Location: New Braunfels, Texas
retmil46 wrote:
Well, doesn't look as though the airtabs will be here in time for install before the trip down to TX. If I'd thought, I could have had them shipped to my friends in TX and put them on while I was down there, and gave them a good trial on the trip back. Oh well.

I am looking at trying out the grill blockers on the trip down. Darby, any further word on what you've found the optimum setup to be with these? Since I've got the V6 airbox, I was looking at 2 on each side and leaving the center 3 slots open.


Look at the post directly above...with temps in TX closing 4 gave the best results. Too bad the airtabs didn't make it...

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Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
Drag Strip:Reac=.1078_60ft=2.224_1/8=10.39@64.8mph_1/4+16.46@80.8mph


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PostPosted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:39 am 
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Well, my hat's off to UPS - despite my expectations, the Airtabs were delivered yesterday afternoon while I was at work!! :D

Bad news - it's 40 F outside and misting rain. :evil:

No problem, resort to Plan B - carry them with me and install them in the warmer climes of TX.

Also have 4 grille blockers made up, cut out of a plastic cardboard sign I picked up at Wally world for $4. Real basic - I cut them to fit in from the front, with a couple of tystraps to hold them onto the grillework. That way, if it turns out 4 are too many for running on the interstate or pulling thru the TN/NC mountains, I can just pull over, cut a couple tystraps, and pull them off inside a couple minutes. Same for putting them back on if need be.

And the sign I made them out of? Well, some would say it's appropriate for a CRD - it said "For Sale By Owner". :lol:

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'87 MB 300D Diamond Blue Metallic
'87 MB 300D - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Sport CRD Stone White
Provent CCV Filter/AT2525 Muffler
Stanadyne 30 u/Cat 2 u Fuel Filters
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:03 pm 
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In the "oil crisis" of the 70's when many stations ran out of gas there was a book about how to get more miles per gallon. This guy had a VW square back and drove considerable miles. He determined exactly how much things like mud flaps and right side rear view mirrors (not required then) actually hurt fuel mileage :shock: Also the automakers have proven that running the AC at freeway speeds gets you better mileage then having the windows open even on our bricks :lol: As Darby says, every little bit counts. I'm not ready for tabs that don't match my crd but do run 42 psi in my tires and synthetic oil in both differentials.

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PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:10 pm 
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retmil46 wrote:
Bad news - it's 40 F outside and misting rain.

No problem, resort to Plan B - carry them with me and install them in the warmer climes of TX.

I wish you well.. it's currently 34 in Dallas :lol: Looking forward to your results on your way back.

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PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:03 pm 
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Turns out Plan B might be the best option - my friends are interested in them as well, and some first-hand experience doing an install and seeing how they look on a vehicle up close and personal would help them decide, along with being able to do an immediate before and after drive to see the effects. Certainly need some help on that Hemi Ram Quad cab they have MPG-wise.

I'm waiting until tomorrow morning to leave. That storm system blowing thru is gusting winds over 30 mph and raining pretty good. But the forecast for the next two days along my route is calling for clear weather. I hate traveling the interstate in the rain unless I have to - not because I or the Jeep can't handle it, but I'm worried about whether the OTHER vehicles and drivers can handle it - just elevates the stress level. In the past few years, have seen too many people who just flat out don't know how to drive in inclement weather (or don't know how to drive period for that matter).

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'87 MB 300D Diamond Blue Metallic
'87 MB 300D - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Sport CRD Stone White
Provent CCV Filter/AT2525 Muffler
Stanadyne 30 u/Cat 2 u Fuel Filters
Fumoto Drain/Fleetguard LF3487 Oil filter
V6 Airbox/Amsoil EAA Air Filter
Suncoast TC/Shift Kit/Aux Cooler
Kennedy Lift Pump/Return Fuel Cooler


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PostPosted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:04 pm 
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Well, I managed to get all the airtabs installed while I was in TX. 5 on the roof, and 8 down each side. Using the spacing that they recommend, 8 on each side fits just about perfectly - bottom tab is right at the top of the rear fender flare.

The way the rear pillars are curved, if you have the front part of the tab flat, there's almost an 1/8" gap between the rear pointed end and the vehicle. I used two layers of 1/2" wide double-sided foam mounting tape under the very end, the width of the tape, to anchor the end and give it some support, and this still allowed the front scoop to be seated firmly without any gaps. The lower two in front of the taillights only required one piece of tape as the body panel had less curve to it.

Hard to quantify what difference it might have made, given the drastic difference in weather between the journey down and the return. Until I blocked off my fuel cooler and aux tranny cooler halfway home in Arkansas, bloody thing probably wasn't even getting 20 MPG due to the cold temps.

However, once I did that, it gave every indication of at least pushing 30 mpg given it's performance on the last 1 3/8 tanks of fuel - 180 miles on 3/8 tank, and 500 miles down to 1/8 tank on the final leg home. On the last tank while it was still daylight and temps at least in the low 30's and before I got into the TN/NC mountains, it had hit 250 miles by the time it was down to 3/4 tank. That's almost equal to it's best performance back in May with temps up in the 80's and 90's. Not too bad for winter blend Shell Diesel, sub freezing temps, and wider than stock 245/70 tires.

The 4 grill blockers definitely helped, and as cold as it was, I probably could have blocked off the whole bloody grille and still ran 70 mph without any problems. Coasting down the 6 mile long grade at Black Mountain near Asheville NC, I watched the temp gauge go from just under 1/2 down to 1/4 scale. :shock:

Rear window did stay quite clean for most of the way across - only a light coating of road dirt. Best I could tell after I had the coolers blocked off and getting decent MPG again, on what fairly level ground I came across and when the Scangauge was working, the airtabs looked to be decreasing fuel flow by at least 0.2 GPH at 65 to 70 mph - from 2.4 down to 2.2 GPH.

I also tried drafting some OTR trucks at various times, usually about 4 to 6 car lengths back, never so close to where I couldn't see their side mirrors (and they couldn't see me behind them). On average, this knocked fuel flow down by 0.5 GPH by the Scangauge. There were times on level ground and at just the right distance that the Scangauge was showing 1.8 GPH at 70 mph - that's well over 35 MPG.

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Mitchell Oates
'87 MB 300D Diamond Blue Metallic
'87 MB 300D - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Sport CRD Stone White
Provent CCV Filter/AT2525 Muffler
Stanadyne 30 u/Cat 2 u Fuel Filters
Fumoto Drain/Fleetguard LF3487 Oil filter
V6 Airbox/Amsoil EAA Air Filter
Suncoast TC/Shift Kit/Aux Cooler
Kennedy Lift Pump/Return Fuel Cooler


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