T300 Bug Deflector

P51bombay

Expert Expediter
Well, spring has sort of sprung (rumours of wet snow Monday) and the bugs are out happily sacrificing themselves on my windshield so I'm thinking a bug deflector might be in order. There seems to the stainless/chrome KW/Mirrex and a smoke plastic one. Obviously the plastic one will not be as durable but does one of these work better than the other?

Oh, and there's also this massive thing that seems like it must knock about 4mpg off - why is this one so big/what are the side deflectors supposed to do?
 

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gotta go

Veteran Expediter
My plan is to put Airtabs on my T-300 hood, as bug deflectors. It will only take 9, less than $30. I'm going to put them right where the hood levels back off, 4 on each side and 1 on the center ridge. I'll let you know how well they work. I know they won't eat up my mpg.
 

P51bombay

Expert Expediter
lol, at the rate you're going you should have the whole truck covered in a few more years. Will be interesting to see what happens but I wouldn't think they will keep bugs from hitting the upper portion - as far as I know they only disrupt air flow close to the surface.
 

gotta go

Veteran Expediter
lol, at the rate you're going you should have the whole truck covered in a few more years. Will be interesting to see what happens but I wouldn't think they will keep bugs from hitting the upper portion - as far as I know they only disrupt air flow close to the surface.
Now wait a minute, I'm totally serious. After the great results I've had with the ones on my sleeper deflecting the air up over the box, it makes sense that they'll work. The Airtab engineer recommended to one of my friends with a Hino that he do the same thing. And as you know the Hino has a taller windshield than our good looking little T3s.
 

P51bombay

Expert Expediter
Well hurry up then, enquiring minds want to know. I guess if they suggested it, they must have tried it along the way - but the chrome will look cooler. :)



Window vents..............you mean those little deflector things that wrap over the top of the window and down the front? I think KW dealers have or can get them in either stainless or smoked plastic.
 

gotta go

Veteran Expediter
Speaking of airflow, anyone know where I can find a set of window vents for the T300?
Cheri, if you're talking about the plastic ones like on my truck, I'll check them in the daylight for a manufacturer. I like the fact that the mirror arms aren't mounted on the door, but one of the drawbacks is the window vents get cracked when the door is opened fully. :(
 

gotta go

Veteran Expediter
Well hurry up then, enquiring minds want to know. I guess if they suggested it, they must have tried it along the way - but the chrome will look cooler. :)



Window vents..............you mean those little deflector things that wrap over the top of the window and down the front? I think KW dealers have or can get them in either stainless or smoked plastic.
I am so with you on chrome (Dingle even got a new chrome colored harness). :D
The only thing delaying me is that I plan on spraying these with clearcoat before installing them. Since they will be getting the full brunt of the airflow I'm hoping that will give them a protective shine. :)
 

guido4475

Not a Member
the stainless bugshield shouldnt need to be clear-coated, i bought mine 4 years ago, and it still looks like new.the clearcoat will probably chip off little by little, creating a ugly looking bugshield, similar to when ford clearcoated their aluminum wheels, and in time, began to peel and chip. just keep it waxed, and it will look great.cheri, iowa80.com has them.and kenworth dealers as well.
 

P51bombay

Expert Expediter
the stainless bugshield shouldnt need to be clear-coated, i bought mine 4 years ago, and it still looks like new.the clearcoat will probably chip off little by little, creating a ugly looking bugshield, similar to when ford clearcoated their aluminum wheels, and in time, began to peel and chip. just keep it waxed, and it will look great.cheri, iowa80.com has them.and kenworth dealers as well.

I think she meant the airtabs that are going there. Does the stainless one keep the bugs off the windsheild?
 

guido4475

Not a Member
oh, my mistake, misunderstanding.yes, the stainless steel bugshield actually does work very well at keeping the bugs off of my windshild on my sterling.but watch for the sunglare on the backside facing the windshield.i put some truck-color-matched decal tape on the mounting brackets to stop the sun glare when the sun hits it just right.the back of the shield is fine, it is just the mounting brackets that cause the glare.but i'd rather have this than plastic anyday.
 

TeamCaffee

Administrator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
Before you add a bug shield consider the loss of fuel mileage you are going to get. As prices are starting to climb again it might pay to just clean off your windshield more often. The bug shields and moose catchers really play havoc with the aerodynamics of your truck.

Not saying many do not look good but right now I think money in my pocket counts for more than looking good. If you do a cost benefit analysis when the price of fuel was so high it was cheaper to hit a deer and tear up your truck then take a steady fuel mileage hit.
 

P51bombay

Expert Expediter
Before you add a bug shield consider the loss of fuel mileage you are going to get. As prices are starting to climb again it might pay to just clean off your windshield more often. The bug shields and moose catchers really play havoc with the aerodynamics of your truck.

Not saying many do not look good but right now I think money in my pocket counts for more than looking good. If you do a cost benefit analysis when the price of fuel was so high it was cheaper to hit a deer and tear up your truck then take a steady fuel mileage hit.

Yes, I was aware of that but the truck is used local P&D so highway time is somewhere around 60% of total miles - not insignificant but at less than 1mpg difference the impact shouldn't be huge and my time spent cleaning it is worth something also. Not only that but the truck is already hampered with being over geared - set up for 70mph but speed limits around here are only 60/62 which makes climbing hills a real pain. Not only that but its got a substantial OD in 10th

Does anyone have some real world figure on a T3 with and without one?

That said I may talk with the folks at airtab about that option, its certainly cheaper - although not as cool looking. :)
 

highway star

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Gotta Go, I really think your getting a bit OCD about these Airtabs. You may want to consider a 12 step program. I'd just like to see you get a handle on it before you end up on the floor, curled up in the fetal position and begging for more Airtabs.
 

TeamCaffee

Administrator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
I do not know!!!! I would think with in town driving you would not reach a speed where the aerodynamics of the truck would affect you as much. I also wonder if you are not going to fast how many the bugs will bother you?

Of course if we are just going for looks and not functionality for in town driving I would say go for it! At in town speeds I think you need to look as good as you can.
 
M

Mcarriers

Guest
You can adjust the door to keep from cracking the plastic vent shades on the door. We also just put on the stainless big shield on our 05 T300. It looks real nice.
 

gotta go

Veteran Expediter
You can adjust the door to keep from cracking the plastic vent shades on the door. We also just put on the stainless big shield on our 05 T300. It looks real nice.
Can you explain how I would go about adjusting the doors? I cringe every time someone swings the door wide and I hear that crunch.

"Gotta Go, I really think your getting a bit OCD about these Airtabs. You may want to consider a 12 step program. I'd just like to see you get a handle on it before you end up on the floor, curled up in the fetal position and begging for more Airtabs.
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As to you, Highway Star, all I can do is offer you my condolences. Perhaps someday you too will find something to believe in. Tabettes and Tabsters unite, create your own vortex. :D
 
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