mtb9153 Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 Just wanted to post some pictures I took of the prototype styrofoam 2014 rear window air deflector I fabricated. I will be covering this with carbon fiber like my rear spoiler project I mentioned in another thread. If Ford can't provide me with them? I'll make my own. I went to Frontier Ford again on Wednesday to check on them and there still is no record of them in their parts database. Tired of waiting. ptjones, salsaguy and obob 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62Lincoln Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 Really nice work! I wouldn't even think of trying to do this, I admire your work! I also agree with your frustration with Ford. Why in the world wouldn't they offer these updates through the parts system? Sometimes car companies really are puzzling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 You should start producing these. I'd be interested in the window add on, and maybe even the spoiler (but in Oxford White fiberglass). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtb9153 Posted March 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 (edited) Until I can better perfect my fabrication process the rear spoiler is a one of a kind. It is too labor intensive to mass produce with my present techniques. If I can learn to produce them using a reusable mold it could be mass produced by order. As for the rear window air deflectors they are pretty easy to produce. But I first need to see how my prototype turns out before I commit to making more. Edited March 30, 2014 by mtb9153 ScubaDadMiami 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted March 31, 2014 Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 As for the rear window air deflectors they are pretty easy to produce. But I first need to see how my prototype turns out before I commit to making more.If they keep the back dust free, consider my order placed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtb9153 Posted March 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 Thanks ScubaDadMiami for your endorsement of my composite abilities. But I have yet to cover this piece of styrofoam with cloth so the verdict isn't in yet. But once my rear spoiler prototype and air deflector prototype are in place we'll see what happens? Honestly I have my doubts of how effective the deflectors will be? But Ford must have saw something in their design to put them into production? ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtb9153 Posted July 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Update on the search for 2014 rear window air deflectors. I asked one of the parts guys at Frontier Ford to try one more time to locate these elusive parts. He called me this morning and said he spoke with someone at Ford who's in the know it seems. The air deflectors are part of the rear glass assembly and only available as part of a complete rear glass replacement, which is very pricy as you can imagine. So it looks like I will be trying to produce my own like the ones shown earlier in this thread. Not the final answer many of us who want these wanted to hear. :banghead: salsaguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwil56 Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 If they keep the back dust free, consider my order placed!I have them on my 2014 Energi and they don't keep the back of my car very clean from dust. If they do reduce the dust, I can't imagine how dirty the 2013's get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiling Jack Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I am wondering whether the two objectives of (1) low drag and (2) clean rear glass are actually in conflict. It seems possible to me that they are. I have graduate level education in fluid mechanics, but no practical experience in that area. Perhaps someone with specific knowledge on the question could weigh in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbov Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 If you's like to extend your fluid dynamics education, get a copy of Hucho, Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles: From Fluid Mechanics to Vehicle Engineering. A very good read for those not put off by Physics.Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinytop Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 I have them on my 2014 Energi and they don't keep the back of my car very clean from dust. If they do reduce the dust, I can't imagine how dirty the 2013's get.I agree. My 14 SEL gets very dusty on the back window and I don't use dirt roads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbov Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 How is dirt on the glass compared with dirt on the tailgate below it, license plate level? My sense is the tailgate gets dirty, the glass not so much on my '13, due to a gentle laminar flow spreading gently to the sides (per tuft testing). The air deflectors may have altered the nice clean break seen at the edge the glass where it meets up with the high-speed laminar flow off the C-pillar. I had tufts in the areas coverd by air deflectors, and there was nothing bad happening... easier to see in the video, I'll admit! HAve fun,Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62Lincoln Posted July 9, 2014 Report Share Posted July 9, 2014 My sense is the tailgate gets dirty, the glass not so much on my '13 I just came off a road trip in my '13 which included some wet roads just after the rain had fallen. In that situation, the road spray in the rear noticeably covered the rear window as if it were being pulled there (by the air flow). Not sure what that proves, but I was surprised at how quickly the rear window blocked up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.