I also removed the 2 steel skid plates that came with the FX4 package. These provided bare coverage. My truck did not have the felt-cardboard cover under the transmission.

 

My first constructive thing was to change the oil for the first time. For now I will use Mobil1 5W-30.



I also installed a Fumoto drain valve, to reduce the mess with the skid plates coming next. Speaking of mess, who designed the oil filter location and spill system?

 

Then I installed the Talon skid plate system, with 4 sections. I started by sorting out all the pieces and hardware.




I then bolted the side wings onto the transmission plate, and the flanges for the oil drain access hole cover.



First piece on the car is the space for the front sections. The arrow points forward!



The the two side supports for the front section.



I started with the rear half of the front section. Like with all part initially, I left the mounting bolts loose.




Then the front half.



After that I installed the plate that goes under the transmission.. This inserts under the trailing edge of the front plate, and uses original holes in the frame cross member. With the wings attached, this piece is a little heavy.




The last section goes under the transfer case. This uses original holes and a clamp around the tubular cross member.





I then went through and tightened all the hardware. The fit with all the Talon pieces is very easy and precise.



One thing I like about the Talon design is that the front skid plates are spaced down to protect the front A-arm mounting flanges. This sacrifices a bit of clearance in the center, but I think is much smarter.

 

@bskrantz I made a post on the other forum detailing the dead end connectors I used when I removed my active air dam actuators. Might be a better option than taping them. Hope that helps. https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thre...46/post-334485

 

Thanks--I might try that. I did use 3M adhesive rubber tape, the kind used for water-proofing. That should seal better than regular tape.

What would be really cool would be for an electrical circuit expert to design some jumpers to fool the system into thinking the air dam has deployed properly. Any volunteers?

 

Another project today, installing an AMP Research bed step.




The step mounts here, to the back side of left rear bumper. It uses the upper 2 of the big bumper studs, and the upper bolt of the small brace.



Generally, the parts are well designed and produced, but the fit with all the bent metal pieces is just a bit off and takes some force to line up holes.



Here's the confusing part: the small brace attaches using its inner hole for the outer bolt that attaches the step mechanism. The AMP instruction drawing looks more like both bolts go through the small brace--and that can't work.



OK, all together and ready to install. Like the AMP instructions suggest, I did not tighten any of the hardware yet.



Bolted in place, and then I tightened all the hardware.



Last, I attached the cast plastic step to the arm.



Spring-cam tension keeps it in the raised position, but a push deploys it and then it stays down. Only a bit of flex with my 210 lbs on it.



It does not project laterally from the base of the fender. And when raised it's about at the same height as the trailer hitch. I will probably drag both off these dropping into a gully some day.



A key feature of the AMP design is the diagonal deployment, so it projects beyond the side of the tailgate when down.



Overall, I would give the AMP design 9 out of 10 (and their instructions 6/10).

 

Did you run into any issues with mounting the Talon skid plates? Or need any “special” tools?
Did you do the install with the tuck on a lift, or just use ramps, Jack stands, etc?

Lastly, someone said they cover, or partially cover, the cats, can you confirm?

Thanks

 

No problems at all. Everything fit extremely well, and no special tools required. Highly recommended. The central (transmission) plates with the side wings cover the cats completely.

I did not use my Quick Jack since I was not sure if it would block the frame rails in critical spots. So I drove the truck onto some stacked lumber and plywood scraps, to lift it about 4 inches in the front and 2 in the back.

 

You’ve been busy!
I picked mine up last Monday, got home Thursday. Of course I needed a picture in front of a corn field. All I’ve done is wash it. I’ll be removing the “Sport” sticker and doing a ceramic coating this week. Deciding on which tonneau cover to get. Never thought about a bedrug until today, it looks interesting. And that will be it for me.

 

Thanks.
it’s funny, I must have looked at your pictures a dozen times and never noticed the stacked wood under the tires till you said something, lol

Can you post a link to purchase? I think I’m going to get a set.