Powerboost oil changes with talon skid plates

[dirtwinston4prez]

Very much hope that the powerboost folks with Talon's skid plates can share their opinion and thoughts.

I bought a powerboost F150, want to protect the cats, but my days of doing oil changes are nearing the end.

The talon trans/cat guard skid plate looks like a great option - except persons must install a special oil drain valve and possibly a hose to prevent dirty oil from splashing off the skid plate and all over the place. I have little confidence that the staff at oil change places will reliably operate that special plug valve. Very possibly it gets damaged and then real headaches begin.

Is it a bad idea to grind the access door opening so it is larger, maybe extending it 1-2" - while not disturbing or getting too close to the bolt holes so the oil drain access door panel can still be installed.

I realize there will be an exposed opening near the door panel once it is installed. This doesn't seem like it would cause much trouble. But do persons think such an opening would allow oil to drain without hitting the skid plate and splashing all over ?

Then I could take the truck to the oil change folks with the OEM oil drain plug, and not have the truck underside covered in dripping oil when they are done.

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[gerry]

I know that this doesn't answer your immediate question, but have you considered the Ford Raptor Skid plate from the previous generation. It bolts right up to the frame on most PowerBoosts (except the Job 1, 2021 trucks), and has an appropriate opening for the oil drain as well. It doesn't cover the entire transmission pan, but the cats are covered. You will need to shift some coolant lines to get the passenger side front bolt in (I didn't move mine, but mounted it with 3 of the 4 frame bolts, as well as the small front bolts). There is a cover you can order for the oil drain port, but it's relatively expensive, and not really needed for protecting the cats.

I added one to my 2023 after I purchased it, and have had the truck in for 1 oil change so far (at the dealer), and nothing was said about the skid plate.

lots of good information in this thread: https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/factory-catalytic-converter-protection.15148/

 

[Mcbutter]

I helped beta test the design for the Powerboost. In doing so, they accidentally sent mine with the access hole on the wrong side. I was ok keeping it as I used a flexible funnel to drain into the pan. I'd do this even if the hole was correct. I was able to reach the drain bolt and lay the flexible funnel right there with removing anything.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Very much hope that the powerboost folks with Talon's skid plates can share their opinion and thoughts.

I bought a powerboost F150, want to protect the cats, but my days of doing oil changes are nearing the end.

The talon trans/cat guard skid plate looks like a great option - except persons must install a special oil drain valve and possibly a hose to prevent dirty oil from splashing off the skid plate and all over the place. I have little confidence that the staff at oil change places will reliably operate that special plug valve. Very possibly it gets damaged and then real headaches begin.

Is it a bad idea to grind the access door opening so it is larger, maybe extending it 1-2" - while not disturbing or getting too close to the bolt holes so the oil drain access door panel can still be installed.

I realize there will be an exposed opening near the door panel once it is installed. This doesn't seem like it would cause much trouble. But do persons think such an opening would allow oil to drain without hitting the skid plate and splashing all over ?

Then I could take the truck to the oil change folks with the OEM oil drain plug, and not have the truck underside covered in dripping oil when they are done.

everyone I’ve known who has taken a truck to one of the quick lube places that has had skid plates ends up with problems. Either the skid plate comes back, covered in a while, bolts are missing, or bolts or cross threaded and stripped.

If I had a plate on my truck, I would either change the oil which I always do, or I would remove the plate before I took it to the idiots.

 

[stevemcbo]

I don't have one yet on my power boost but did have one on my previous 5.0 FX4. Dealer did my oil changes and I never had an issue.

I had the RCI shield. Lot cheaper than the talon.

https://rcimetalworks.com/product/t...2IgiT-LSwIvv0Yx_pGrMhL85MzmQbxTRoCeOcQAvD_BwE

 

[Shane150]

I have the full Talon skid plate and Fomoto valve. Draining oil through the Talon access plate is a breeze but I have to remove the front plate to change the filter. Doesn't' bother me and I take my sweet time! I don't think I will be comfortable giving this job to my dealer. My auto mechanic whom I know for more than 20 years is another story but for now I would rather perform it myself.

 

[dirtwinston4prez]

Many, many thanks all.

Thanks also Gerry for the heads up on the raptor skid plate. It believe that solution also saves a few bucks.

But if the oil drain problem is solved as easily as what Josh shows in the photo above, then its hard for even the lube shops to screw that up. Heck, I can bring a flexible funnel with me if/when I take the truck to them. I kinda like the larger visual presence of the aluminum Talons skid plate.

As well, maybe there's a few more oil changes left in me.

Any tips or ideas to minimize rattling or other noises ?

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