Fairings on the "Gazelle" and their installation

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Fairings on the Gazelle are not just an improvement in the exterior, but also a real opportunity to inexpensively and without large labor costs enhance the car's aerodynamic performance and directional stability along with fuel economy. The effect of this conversion is especially noticeable at speeds above 50 km/h. Even the simplest spoilers noticeably mitigate the negative impact of the headwind.

General information

Installation of fairings on the Gazelle is a kind of tribute to the fashion of various body kits that are widely popular when tuning sports and racing cars. Some conservative users consider this design just a decorative element for decoration, and not a practical detail that can improve the parameters of the machine. However, practice shows that the spoiler on light trucks significantly improves the running and technical characteristics of the vehicle.

Demand in the automotive market for this type of body kit is huge. Spoilers are purchased by both truckers and drivers whose route passes within the city. The material of manufacture for the devices under consideration is mainly fabric samples or fiberglass. To link components betweenpolyester resins are used. The polymer product is protected from weather and mechanical stress by a number of special additives.

Where to start installing the fairing on the Gazelle?

This element is preferably mounted on the roof of the car. Work must be carried out under certain conditions. Firstly, the supports must be fixed behind the roof reinforcements, otherwise the structure may not withstand the load at high speed with a strong headwind. Secondly, it is desirable to place the spoiler as close to the edge as possible in order to reduce entry into the rarefaction zone.

Before starting the installation of the fairing on the Gazelle, you need to mark the future placement of the supports. Work is recommended to be done in pairs. Have an assistant hold the spoiler at the intended installation location. At the same time, it is necessary to measure the distance between the supports and from them to the edges of the roof. Choose the optimal position so that the element is parallel to the edges of the vehicle.

At the next stage, before mounting the part, you should re-measure. This is due to the fact that the slightest inaccuracy and violation of the placement of the structure will lead to a loss of aerodynamic performance and the expected effect of the part is transformed into a disadvantage. As a result, you will have to do the whole process again.

Installation instructions

The fairing on the Gazelle Next is mounted in stages, in the following sequence:

• According to the marked marks, places are drilled formounts.
• The drill must be held strictly vertically down, it is advisable to drill the sockets on both sides.
• The part supports are fixed with bolts. To reduce the load and expand the mounting area, use a wide flat washer.
• The length of the screws and the quality of the nuts should be chosen correctly so that they provide optimal tightening torque with an additional washer. During the installation of the spoiler, a slight deflection of the base of the roof may be observed.
• After completing the installation work, it remains to conduct a few test runs and compare the results "before" and "after".

No drilling method

An alternative option for mounting the fairing on the Gazelle-Business is to install it without drilling. In this case, the spoiler sits on a sealant or double-sided tape. This method is less reliable and does not provide the most durable fixation. Ideally, it is desirable to use both methods in combination: screw the element with bolts, treating the seats with adhesive.

If possible, try to adjust the angle of attack. For example, to increase downforce in corners, the fairing should have an increased angle of attack, and a reduced rate ensures rapid acceleration of the vehicle. As a result, a properly tuned spoiler optimizes the car's aerodynamic properties and improves acceleration dynamics.

Pros and cons

Among the advantages of fairings on the Gazelle, the following points are noted:

• Protectionventilation system from stones and dirt.
• Fuel savings by reducing the impact of headwinds and improving the aerodynamic parameters of the car. As a percentage, this figure reaches 5-6%, which is not so little for commercial vehicles.
• Improve vehicle dynamics, including traction and acceleration.

Cons:

• Installation of some modifications requires drilling additional holes, which, if insufficient anti-corrosion treatment will be exposed to rust during operation.
• The cost of some spoilers reaches 8-10 thousand rubles, for installation - another 5000. Therefore, the payback of the element will take a long period.

Useful information

To mount the fairing on the Gazelle Farmer, you will need a set of tools:

• Ruler or tape measure.
• White spirit.
• Building level.
• Drill with a set of drill bits.
• Anti-corrosion agent.
• Protective metal mesh.

During the first thousand kilometers after installing the spoiler, the element must be regularly checked for leaks. Installation of a fairing in a specialized workshop will cost at least five thousand rubles. Therefore, having elementary skills in installation work, it is more expedient to perform this operation yourself.

Testing

Below are the comparative characteristics before installing the spoiler on the Gazelle and after installing the fairing (in brackets):

• Car acceleration to 100 kilometers - 59.9 seconds (45.8).
• Fuel consumption at a speed of 60 km/h - 11.1 l (10, 3).
• Dynamic improvement means less use of the shifter.

As a result, it can be noted that the installation of a fairing really improves some parameters of the car. The numbers may seem insignificant, but when you consider the commercial purpose of the vehicle and multiply all this by the long-term use of the element, the savings are beyond doubt.