2017 Air Dam trim or removal?

[WallyB]

I'm seeing references to cutting or trimming the air dams off a 2017 era Yukon Denali (is valence the correct term here? are they interchangeable?), but i'm not finding anything on removing or replacing them. Is there a way to do that relatively easily? From what i've seen, and from what I can tell just looking, it looks challenging and possibly problematic. Am I better off just trimming it down? I'm looking to gain a little more clearance. The air dam will even scrape tall curbs or steeper driveways and such, so it's pretty limiting for things like even basic offroading.

 

[Jetskier77]

Not sure I understand the intent. What is it you are trying to accomplish?

 

[Doubeleive]

I'm seeing references to cutting or trimming the air dams (is valence the correct term here? are they interchangeable?), but i'm not finding anything on removing or replacing them. Is there a way to do that relatively easily? From what i've seen, and from what I can tell just looking, it looks challenging and possibly problematic. Am I better off just trimming it down?

Tape it off and cut it as desired

 

[B-train]

I second @Jetskier77. What is the purpose of the question?

The lower valance, or air dam, is to deflect air around the vehicle for better MPG. Removing it should be easy - they are all push pins and quick nuts. Cutting will require some skill, but again....why?

Is there a group that judges vehicles based off their ground clearance to air dam ratio I'm not aware of?

 

[tom3]

Well, it is a nuisance sometimes with the lack of clearance. Probably push snow in some areas too.

 

[Doubeleive]

It doesn't really matter why, the mileage difference from trimming the valance is slim to none. It does not affect heating/cooling as some are led to believe either.
some people take it off completely which doesn't really look very visually appealing, but trimming it looks nice or more acceptable anyway.
getting a stock "shorter" one requires a specific bumper/grill trim as there is only one trim that offers a stock shorter valance.
which I believe is a special edition z71

 

[Doubeleive]

I took the lower one off of my silverado in my signature pic on the silverado but that one is a 2 piece valance so the bottom one came off easily by removing the clips.

 

[WallyB]

Not sure I understand the intent. What is it you are trying to accomplish?

more clearance, in part for off roading. Not looking to do anything too extreme, but that air dam will even scrape taller parking curbs.

 

[WallyB]

I second @Jetskier77. What is the purpose of the question?

The lower valance, or air dam, is to deflect air around the vehicle for better MPG. Removing it should be easy - they are all push pins and quick nuts. Cutting will require some skill, but again....why?

Is there a group that judges vehicles based off their ground clearance to air dam ratio I'm not aware of?

I answered above as well. I want more clearance for at least basic offroading. The air dam is only about 8 inches off the ground and will even scrape taller curbs and such when parking.

 

[GMCChevy]

Mine was cut off and it probably looked better that way then those stupid ears hanging down on either end of it.
I don't pull up over curbs in parking lots so that's a non issue but it can drag in deep snow and other conditions.