Probably helps a little. But, having the hood up while driving makes it act like a sail!

 

I dropped .2 in the quarter by dropping the tailgate. just a thought.

 

I wish I could read the graphs a little better. But, from what I assume, that as the wind speeds increase, so would the change in amount of drag. The upper range of the test would have no real world impact. This is probably why some do not see/feel any real differences.

I know, from SOTP meter, it feels like the truck accelerates better with the tailgate in the down position.

The wind speeds were measured at 10, 25, 40, 55, and 70 meters per sec. The mile per hour equivalents are below (rounded to nearest tenth).

m/sec mph/hr
10 = 22.4
25 = 55.9
40 = 89.5
55 = 123.0
70 = 156.6

 

Thats crazy, I went .1 slower with it down, or off, then with it up?? Go figure. I dont think the tailgate really makes mutch of a difference. IMO

 

Can anybody read the graphs better than I can? For the Re does it say 10^6 or 10^5? I seriously can't tell. Please tell me it's 10^6.

 

my times were .10 better with the tailgate up. i never did a comparison of it up and off. we aughta get 2 or 3 consistant drivers to do a lil experiment at the next g2g

 

Good find. Good read. I raced my truck at a local 1/8 mile track and had serious traction issues without my tailgate. I think the extra weight of the tailgate is beneficial for drag racing.

 

Hey Black - check out the lowcountry drag website. There is suppose to be a truck race in April.

 

IMO the aerodynamics of the tail gate wouldn't out-weigh the weight savings in the 1/4. You aero improvements won't even be noticed until you are doing 60-70 mph, then how much time to you have left till you cross the finsh line after that. The weight saving in the first 1/8 mile I feel far outweighs the aerodynamics in the second 1/8 mile. Also, in the second 1/8th, would the aerodynamics ever overcome the weight savings for acceleration...I think not.

 

I'm "consistantly" slow.....I guess that counts for something....