Factory catalytic converter protection

[Satellite67]

Thanks again!

I think I should order now even though my truck won’t be available for maybe 6 months!

I don’t know if that makes me an optimist or a pessimist!?

Parts Ordered!!

Pessimist because of fear of parts out of stock!

Optimist because I might get the truck in less than 6 months!

Thanks again for all of your help!

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[Hammertime]

If you order the parts from https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us.
a couple of tips, try changing the dealer. I was able to save $50 by changing it to another dealer in my state, and you can redeem any Ford Pass points for the order you might have if you sign in with your Ford Pass account. The whole order including bolts cost me $120

 

[don.mullins]

I bit the bullet and got over my OCD-ness and installed without the front side bolts, since I didn’t have the frame cutouts on my Job 1 ‘21 PB.

Has anyone who also skipped those bolts seen any issues now that others have had the skid plate installed for a while?

If so, anyone see any issues with hitting those points with self-tapping screws - if I can find some short 13MM ones…

 

[HammaMan]

If so, anyone see any issues with hitting those points with self-tapping screws - if I can find some short 13MM ones…

I wouldn't use anything that threads into the frame itself for corrosion protection reasons. It's more brush plate than skid plate. The only concern is not allowing it to chafe away the corrosion protection on the frame itself. You can cut it off entirely, bend it away, or attach a self-adhesive rubber or plastic guard where it contacts.

 

[don.mullins]

I wouldn't use anything that threads into the frame itself for corrosion protection reasons. It's more brush plate than skid plate. The only concern is not allowing it to chafe away the corrosion protection on the frame itself. You can cut it off entirely, bend it away, or attach a self-adhesive rubber or plastic guard where it contacts.

Thanks. My concern was a little about rattles, but mainly about structural - what happens if I it something?

 

[HammaMan]

Thanks. My concern was a little about rattles, but mainly about structural - what happens if I it something?

It'll contact the body mount frame weld-ons before stuff starts getting broken. You've also already likely damaged stuff ahead of it as well as it's not the lowest point of the truck.

 

[powerboatr]

Not sure of strength loss.
But mine has hit a piece of tree
A log about 1 foot or so long and about 4 inches in diameter
At 67..
I dumbasd is front of me pulling a trailer. That must had a few small logs hiding on trailer. He hit the expansion joint on the bridge going over the lake...about the same time I saw it bounce up then off the trailer. I tried to jzm on brakes, but it still impacted the under side of truck...BANG
As it went under
I pulled over immediately and looked to make sure driveshaft was OK.
There was evidence of the log impacting the lower front area of that skid plate.
Not dented, but smeared with wood juice and bits

Around here...crap departing trailers and pickups is unreal.
I thought the trailer was empty. Or I would been at #4 ,distance on cruise

 

[don.mullins]

It'll contact the body mount frame weld-ons before stuff starts getting broken. You've also already likely damaged stuff ahead of it as well as it's not the lowest point of the truck.

Thanks.

While I don’t do a lot of heavy off-roading, I do head down dirt roads and beaches while camping from time to time. And sometimes, the roads can be a bit rough and uneven.

This is from Padre Island National Seashore a couple of years ago:

 

[Sapphire]

Thanks to everyone in this thread for the excellent information. I installed the OEM plate on my 2021 Platinum Powerboost this afternoon. I ordered the plate from FordParts.com for $114 by entering zip codes around my area for the best price and using the $20 new user discount. It ended up arriving next day delivery from Indiana (shipped with no box, a few scratches, a little bent, still fine).

Part Number	Part Name
HL3Z-7222-E	Cover
-W716831-S439	Lower Hinge Mount Bolt - M10 x 35MM
-W719490-S439	Under Cover U-Nut
W714338S439	M6x1.0x30 bolt
W520832S439	M6 clip nuts

It feels really solid and fit perfectly, replacing the felt diaper that I removed and pitched in the trash. I hope it’s a good cat-deterrent. Thieves suck.

 

[JHW]

Do all 2021's not have them or is it just a subset of them? Personally, I would not drill any holes in the frame, but it could also be argued that if they are there on some it would not harm it.

I have an early ‘21. Frame holes are there on mine.

 

[CuriousOwls]

This is what I ordered:

Part Number​	Part Name​	Price​	Quantity​	Total​
HL3Z-7222-F​	Cover​	$49.82​	1​	$49.82​
HL3Z-7222-E​	Cover​	$108.98​	1​	$108.98​
-W716831-S439​	Lower Hinge Mount Bolt​	$2.75​	4​	$11.00​
-W719490-S439​	Under Cover U-Nut​	$3.75​	2​	$7.50​
-W500623-S439​	Front Shield Bolt​	$3.67​	3​	$11.01​
-W520813-S439​	Damper U-Nut​	$2.75​	3​	$8.25​

Subtotal: $196.56​

Estimated Shipping to 46745 via Standard Shipping: $44.34​

Total: $240.90​

This is very clear and helpful @onechance. Am I correct that you did not have the existing FX4 shield which is why you have a quantity of 4 W716831-S439? I would think that you would only need 2 if you're reusing the screws from the existing FX4 shield. I know this order was from Fairway ford which sells them per unit (vs packs)

 

[KTM753]

I think they come in a package of 4.

 

[CuriousOwls]

I think they come in a package of 4.

Fordparts.com sells only in packs of 3 or 4 depending on item. I know @onechance ordered from Fairway Ford Parts.net which sells per unit/each nut and bolt separately so the quantity above represents each individual item

 

[oncechance]

This is very clear and helpful @onechance. Am I correct that you did not have the existing FX4 shield which is why you have a quantity of 4 W716831-S439? I would think that you would only need 2 if you're reusing the screws from the existing FX4 shield. I know this order was from Fairway ford which sells them per unit (vs packs)

I did have existing shield and used what I could. Order what I have listed and you will be good to go. Yes, you will have a few pieces left over due to selling as packs.

 

[galtcity]

First post here. I have been on the F150 forum forever and decided to join here. This is also a great place for fantastic ideas to spend more money on my truck.

Anyway I got my diaper off my F150 and put this nice skid plate on. Put the truck up on ramps and had my wife help me line it up and start the bolts on one side while I did the other.

I did put a bolt where the cooling lines where and used the idea of a nut for a stand-off to keep the lines off that bolt. Worked very well thanks for the idea

The skid plate was scratched up a little from shipping but it's a truck. I did not spend anytime touching it up.

I also did not get the oil drain cover that seems useless to me.

Here are some pics.

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.
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My only concern but maybe for people that really take there truck off road. You can see where the plate curves up in the back middle and come close to the plastic transmission cover and if it got pushed up it would do some damage to the transmission. Kinda a poor design to me

Enjoy...



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