My 2013 FX4 has rubber air deflectors mounted next to the radiator which are rapidly deteriorating and falling off. What is the purpose of these and are they really necessary?

 

Help direct air flow I think but don't quote me on that. You could remove them carefully and trace around them to cut out some new ones from some thin rubber sheets. Probably from local big box store or scAmazon.


Here is a thread that I was thinking about.

Under hood air deflectors make your own

 

Its there to direct air into the rad and oil/trans coolers.

 

truly necessary? probably not outside of temperature extremes but they must be beneficial or ford wouldnt spend the money on them.

As i posted in the linked thread above - after seeing what materials would be then the time to cut em out I bought a new set on Ebay and have no regrets

 

I made my own.

 

thank you. The pieces have al been pitched but I appreciate the information.

 

Use the template shown in that thread to make new ones. I've done it twice, now. First time used rubber sheets from Grainger, which seemed tougher than the original Ford foamy rubber. But lasted about the same 4-5 years. This time I used Dynamat or similar. Too recent for me to have a reliability report, but certainly seems more robust.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334329672844

for $55 I just bought em already made

 

I'm gonna give these a shot.
it's 12 dollars and they're precut. I have extremely low expectations as far as quality, but we shall see.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/16695891105...6XE1RD59NXZMAH

 

I just installed these a few months ago:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255883077946
They are hand made by a gentleman here in the US and fitment was excellent. Included instructions and tips with photos as well as replacement x-mas tree clips so you don't have to try and save yours. The material is similar feeling to a tool box drawer liner, lighter than the original ford stuff but much more flexible/less brittle.