How to Install an Air Dam on a Dodge Truck
An air dam is the lowest piece of the front bumper. It deflects wind and debris away from the lower part of the vehicle. Air dams are typically found on racing vehicles, but recently, manufacturers have been adding air dams purely for their sporty look. Air dams are installed to create a more aerodynamic profile for the vehicle and prevent air from reaching the undercarriage, which could potentially slow the vehicle down.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 10 mm socket
- T30 Torx bit
- Knife
- Power drill
- 15/64-inch drill bit
- Ratchet and short extension
- Small clamp
Instructions
-
-
1
Remove the factory air dam by using a ratchet and socket. There are five 10 mm bolts that hold the air dam to the bumper. These parts will not be reused.
-
2
Remove the upper piece of the front bumper. Use the T-30 Torx bit to remove the one bolt on each side of the bumper.
-
-
3
Mark the bumper for trimming. Cut away about 1/4 inch of material from the upper front bumper where it curves into the center bumper opening. Use the knife to trim away the bumper pieces.
-
4
Slide the air dam into place to ensure a proper fit. If you are going to have the bumper painted, now is the time to send the bumper off to a paint shop. Once the fitment is correct, all that is left is the installation.
-
5
Slide the upper lip of the bumper cover under the lower edge of the factory bumper. Position the cover so that it is equally wrapped around the sides. Lift up on one side of the factory upper bumper cover and secure it in place with a clamp. Make sure to clamp the upper flat lip of the cover to the flat surface of the metal bumper.
-
6
Use the pre-drilled holes in the air dam as a guide and drill a 15/64 inch hole through each of these guide holes. These will be your mounting places for the air dam.
-
7
Insert a fastener into each drilled hole, being careful to make sure that the fastener goes all the way through the bumper.
-
8
Reinsert the two T-30 Torx bolts into the bumper and tighten them down.
-
1
