View Poll Results: Replace fiber cover under truck after oil change?
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll
POLL: fiber cover under engine after oil change?
08-21-2018, 11:26 PM
#11
2018 XLT FX4
Mine's been off since the first time I changed my oil. No issues in 40K+ miles. Lease is up soon, so I'll be putting it back on before I return it, just so there's no issues.
08-22-2018, 08:47 AM
#12
I leave it on to stop rocks and debris from bouncing up and hitting something.
I'd rather the diaper take the abuse that anything else.
I'd rather the diaper take the abuse that anything else.
08-22-2018, 10:23 AM
#13
Senior Member
Despite all popular belief these panels are part of the aerodynamics kit for the truck. They are not there to catch oil drips or to protect the bottom from rocks and such. Though it can help a little bit.
Unless you do significant highway driving (50% or more of your weekly routine) then you might not notice a difference in having the panels on or off. They really come into play around 50-60 mph and above.
In a perfect world you would have an underbody aero panel that ran from the front to the back bumper - that's hard to justify on a truck with as much suspension motion and the angle of the prop shaft. For the 4x4 model it's that much harder to justify which is why ford stopped where they did. I've thought about rigging up another panel set to go to the differential but I don't know it would help all that much.
08-22-2018, 11:11 AM
#14
No fart cans allowed
It is definitely not crucial but it is there for a reason. I like it for no other reason than it catches the inevitable few oil drips after an oil change.
08-22-2018, 05:49 PM
#15
Senior Member
i bought a steel OEM skid plate froma 4x4 off of ebay ,to replace the fiber panel . At first i thought just pull the fiber, but the steering unit and wiring are too exposed for me. The 4x skid plate required drilling a couple of holes and a little notch for the ground wire (didn't want to relocate)
08-22-2018, 06:38 PM
#16
Did you by the 2wd new or used - maybe the dealer merfed it up. ALL F150's leave with some flavor of covers on the bottom - most are the fibre-felt panels - even on the 4x4 model.
Despite all popular belief these panels are part of the aerodynamics kit for the truck. They are not there to catch oil drips or to protect the bottom from rocks and such. Though it can help a little bit.
Unless you do significant highway driving (50% or more of your weekly routine) then you might not notice a difference in having the panels on or off. They really come into play around 50-60 mph and above.
In a perfect world you would have an underbody aero panel that ran from the front to the back bumper - that's hard to justify on a truck with as much suspension motion and the angle of the prop shaft. For the 4x4 model it's that much harder to justify which is why ford stopped where they did. I've thought about rigging up another panel set to go to the differential but I don't know it would help all that much.
Despite all popular belief these panels are part of the aerodynamics kit for the truck. They are not there to catch oil drips or to protect the bottom from rocks and such. Though it can help a little bit.
Unless you do significant highway driving (50% or more of your weekly routine) then you might not notice a difference in having the panels on or off. They really come into play around 50-60 mph and above.
In a perfect world you would have an underbody aero panel that ran from the front to the back bumper - that's hard to justify on a truck with as much suspension motion and the angle of the prop shaft. For the 4x4 model it's that much harder to justify which is why ford stopped where they did. I've thought about rigging up another panel set to go to the differential but I don't know it would help all that much.
08-22-2018, 07:07 PM
#17
Senior Member
08-22-2018, 07:41 PM
#18
My '16 5.0 doesn't have any covers, maybe it's just the EB engines.
08-22-2018, 07:49 PM
#19
Senior Member
08-22-2018, 08:03 PM
#20
It’s not crucial, but I keep it on to prevent rust stains on my driveway. The unprotected/painted iron block rusts and rainwater or AC condensation drips leaving stains on the diaper. My truck doesn’t fit in the small double car garages typically found in Florida homes, so I’m forced to park on the concrete driveway. No diaper would result in nasty rust stains. Hate fighting with the four screws, but...