Adding skid plates to 2018 Limited with tow package?

[5280tunage]

@Jeka Sent you a PM on this, but I talked with the guy that's been helping me there, and he expressly concerned that he was bummed by the discussion you had, he is more than willing to help you and yes, they do have kits that work for the Expy's. I can promise you that the craftsmanship of these are way better than the FX4's. I actually crawled under an FX4 at a Home Depot parking lot before I ordered this kit, just to look around. They obviously work fine as well, but I like these more.

 

[Jeka]

@Jeka Sent you a PM on this, but I talked with the guy that's been helping me there, and he expressly concerned that he was bummed by the discussion you had, he is more than willing to help you and yes, they do have kits that work for the Expy's. I can promise you that the craftsmanship of these are way better than the FX4's. I actually crawled under an FX4 at a Home Depot parking lot before I ordered this kit, just to look around. They obviously work fine as well, but I like these more.

Yeap, I noted that! I will keep this in mind for sure.
I am not in a rush, so can wait a little and do more research on the topic. To be fair, when I asked the guy on the phone about any future plans to make a kit for Expedition, he said no such plans, but he will pass my request to the Design team. I tried to steer our conversation to discuss your experience, but he didn't want to discuss that at all, he just said "Expedition and F150 are very different" whatever that means

Wondering how FX4 owner looked at you when you crawled under his/her truck

 

[Artie]

I got the same ‘no plans for the future’ line when I emailed them a couple months ago. I’m gonna hang back and watch this thread for definitive developments before I take a chance on $500 worth of steel.

 

[5280tunage]

Yeap, I noted that! I will keep this in mind for sure.
I am not in a rush, so can wait a little and do more research on the topic. To be fair, when I asked the guy on the phone about any future plans to make a kit for Expedition, he said no such plans, but he will pass my request to the Design team. I tried to steer our conversation to discuss your experience, but he didn't want to discuss that at all, he just said "Expedition and F150 are very different" whatever that means

Wondering how FX4 owner looked at you when you crawled under his/her truck

Ha Ha, the FX4 owner was inside the store... Luckily I was in my crappy clothes and just crawled under, did a few taps on the metal to see how it sounded, and I was OUT.

 

[5280tunage]

Man o Man! So here's my thing, if Tim @ RCI told me that the 09-14' kits fit better than the 15+ kits, then no one has anything to worry about. Mine worked without any major mods, other than a single hole I drilled through the t-case plate. I'm super **** though, so I went ahead and cut the brackets, and drilled another hole for the joint between the 1st and 2nd plates. But really it would work without that. I just didn't want a slightly angled intercooler frame and I wanted more support in the center. Otherwise it was great. Is it factory, no, but it's way beefier.

What I can say, is that I spent nearly $1400 on a skid plate package for my last vehicle (jeep), it was from Mopar, and it wasn't nearly as tough as this. Again, my guess, is that there is a sales guy that is using the same vehicle fitment info that's on their site, and their job is to say nothing outside of that works, for fear of accountability. Tim on the other hand, knew exactly what I was talking about when I sent him pics of the brackets I cut, etc. RCI appears to be a small CO business, I gave them some slack.

FWIW, look at this pic. the thickness, the quality of the powdercoat.

 

[ExplorerTom]

I don’t know what the new FX4 skid plates look like, but I’ve pivoted my Explorer while hung up on a rock on the factory gas tank tank skid plate.

I drug my 2000 EB over a few rocks and its factory skid plates.

The RCI stuff is good, but definitely overkill.

With that said, I have their skid plates on my 2014. But it didn’t have any to begin with.

 

[5280tunage]

Agreed they may be overkill, but they are roughly the same price as all of the FX4 parts, if not cheaper in some places. If it were 2x or more, I would have said no as well.

 

[Artie]

Agreed they may be overkill, but they are roughly the same price as all of the FX4 parts, if not cheaper in some places. If it were 2x or more, I would have said no as well.

I’ll spring for overkill as long as it’s fairly priced. I’d rather have it and not need it and all that. Besides, at the moment my Navigator has zero protection behind the air dam.

 

[Black]

I don’t have an 18 so I can’t speak for that fitment.
I have a 16 and the only issue I had was they changed their design but did not change the instructions.
If you mate the transmission plate to the OEM motor plate there is a cutout to slide the OEM plate into.
Initially all trans plates had the slot cut out. They then switched to the slot being slightly lasered and you would knock it out if you were using the OEM plate. The old instructions and internet pics showed the slot.
The powder coating filled in the slight laser etching so I had no clue the slot was there.
I spoke with them on the phone and they walked me right through it.
I have also conversed via email with both Tim and Jeff on multiple occasions and they have been nothing but helpful. Your experience is certainly out of the norm for them.
I missed the Tax day sale by one day last year and Tim was kind enough to offer it to me after talking with them.
They are a top notch crew from what I can tell.
Now wish they were planning a set for the Chevy’s so my wife’s Suburban could get some better coverage but sadly they aren’t.

 

[Expy lover]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[scottdm]

Agreed they may be overkill, but they are roughly the same price as all of the FX4 parts, if not cheaper in some places. If it were 2x or more, I would have said no as well.

How is access for draining the oil pan? Is there an access plate?

 

[Expy lover]

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The properties of this skid plate
It’s 100% Aluminum
Approximately 6mm thickness
3 parts
Local factory in Saudi Arabia
Cost less than 300$


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Artie]

The properties of this skid plate
It’s 100% Aluminum
Approximately 6mm thickness
3 parts
Local factory in Saudi Arabia
Cost less than 300$


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That’s nice!

 

[5280tunage]

How is access for draining the oil pan? Is there an access plate?

There is an access plate but I will say, I went ahead and added the valve to help make it easier, it ensure that oil will drain in more of a vertical pattern, rather than shooting 4-6" laterally then down at first. So far I like the valve, as long as it holds up for years. It will be a little bit of a pain to remove the front plate each time to do the oil filter but I may try it without removing it next time.

 

[scottdm]

There is an access plate but I will say, I went ahead and added the valve to help make it easier, it ensure that oil will drain in more of a vertical pattern, rather than shooting 4-6" laterally then down at first. So far I like the valve, as long as it holds up for years. It will be a little bit of a pain to remove the front plate each time to do the oil filter but I may try it without removing it next time.

I like the drain valves too for use with my Raptor transmission skid plate. I had the Fumoto valve first but didn't like how road grit would get in the end of the hose barb fitting for the drain hose between oil changes. I switched to the Stahlbus valve since it has the threaded cap for the drain port to keep it clean between changes.

 

[5280tunage]

Interesting, I hadn't seen those valves before. I'll see how my first couple of changes go but I could see how the operation of the valve could get rough with dirt and grime. These are a tad pricey though, for basically a smaller compressor hose quick release

 

[carymccarr]

That’s nice!

Did you ever do this for your Navi? Sorry if I missed it if you did. I’d like to get for mine but dealer was clueless.

 

[Artie]

Did you ever do this for your Navi? Sorry if I missed it if you did. I’d like to get for mine but dealer was clueless.

No, not yet. I’m still debating skids and wheels for the Navigator versus buying a new Bronco or Defender lol I think I just maxed out ‘1st world problems’ with that statement.

 

[Deadman]

There is an access plate but I will say, I went ahead and added the valve to help make it easier, it ensure that oil will drain in more of a vertical pattern, rather than shooting 4-6" laterally then down at first. So far I like the valve, as long as it holds up for years. It will be a little bit of a pain to remove the front plate each time to do the oil filter but I may try it without removing it next time.

IF you have long arms and are patient, you CAN swap the filter from the top! I just did mine a few months ago because I didn't want to rip all the skid plate bolts off every time an oil change was needed. I reached in, and down and literally had to grease my arms up to fit them, but I made the reach and got the new filter threaded on straight. My arms were scratched from end to end, but it was worth it! .

 

[carymccarr]

No, not yet. I’m still debating skids and wheels for the Navigator versus buying a new Bronco or Defender lol I think I just maxed out ‘1st world problems’ with that statement.

Due to how close my house is to conservation land they had to shave garage bay 3 off to remain within setback restrictions. Because of that I’m limited to 2 cars. Depending on the day I’m either VERY happy or VERY sad about that limitation lol