Stupid Crappy Underbody Protection!

[carymccarr]

The guy asked about it melting in his driveway......Ours doesn't melt til April.

My garage needs a serious fridge. I have a wood furnace in my garage and it averages 78* F all winter. Snow doesn't last long in there.

On a side note, we just drove my Expedition cross country and ran in snow for 6 hours. It went from rain/snow mix to heavy slushy snow to all snow and it never built up underneath because of the FX4 skid plate. I can't believe my wifes Navigator has no protection as well. I assumed it was cost savings on my Expedition, but how stupid.

Always wanted to put a woodstove in the garage...gotta get around to that project.

I’m going to see if my dealer will instal fx4 skids on my Navi. Gotta believe it’s the same bolt pattern.


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[Deadman]

Always wanted to put a woodstove in the garage...gotta get around to that project.

I’m going to see if my dealer will instal fx4 skids on my Navi. Gotta believe it’s the same bolt pattern.


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It should be. They're expensive. Like $500 retail if your dealer charges full price.

This is more than a wood stove! lol. Its a 175,000 BTU wood furnace. The garage is 4,500 sq feet so it needs some fire power! lol

 

[NyackRob79]

My complaint is with the rear bumper. It’s hollow and open on the inside so mid and snow get consistently caught in there. Whenever I wash my Expy, mud water and debris constantly drip from the bumper exterior as there are pounds of mud just caught in there perpetually. And this is considering I have mud flaps installed. Just overall bad design.

 

[sjwhiteley]

My complaint is with the rear bumper. It’s hollow and open on the inside so mid and snow get consistently caught in there. Whenever I wash my Expy, mud water and debris constantly drip from the bumper exterior as there are pounds of mud just caught in there perpetually. And this is considering I have mud flaps installed. Just overall bad design.

To be fair, a lot of vehicles [SUVs] are like that. Molded panels over a basic frame.

On the front, I added a Raptor skid plate. Don't know how much snow it deflects, or keeps out of the bay, but it does deflect critters quite well.

 

[Deadman]

My complaint is with the rear bumper. It’s hollow and open on the inside so mid and snow get consistently caught in there. Whenever I wash my Expy, mud water and debris constantly drip from the bumper exterior as there are pounds of mud just caught in there perpetually. And this is considering I have mud flaps installed. Just overall bad design.

The rear bumper is like a giant scoop just waiting to get filled with crud....

 

[carymccarr]

Got a bunch of snow today and went for a drive. Remembered this thread so I checked under my Navi when I got home. Skids were completely clear. Was surprised.




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[LokiWolf]

Got a bunch of snow today and went for a drive. Remembered this thread so I checked under my Navi when I got home. Skids were completely clear. Was surprised.




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Good to know.

Our snow around here was slushy crap. It was spraying left and right, and I am sure that contributed.

You can see though what the moisture did to yours. It is sagging from just being wet.

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[carymccarr]

Good to know.

Our snow around here was slushy crap. It was spraying left and right, and I am sure that contributed.

You can see though what the moisture did to yours. It is sagging from just being wet.

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Oh it’s garbage (literally since it’s probably recycled waxed cardboard and chicken knuckles) but I was glad that it didn’t get clogged with snow. I am still pretty shocked that they used such flimsy material.


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[Deadman]

Got a bunch of snow today and went for a drive. Remembered this thread so I checked under my Navi when I got home. Skids were completely clear. Was surprised.




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That things hanging pretty low already. Its either just sagging or its been fall of snow or something forcing it down. Both of mine are up much higher.

 

[carymccarr]

That things hanging pretty low already. Its either just sagging or its been fall of snow or something forcing it down. Both of mine are up much higher.

Could be. But got 20” and after driving through it for 45 mins they were completely clear.

Either way, even an inch higher and it would start rubbing on stuff so not sure.



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[Expedition Dave]

OK, someone correct me if need be here...

I think what people are calling "skid plates" are really sound deadening and aerodynamic add-ons, right? Yes they may provide some protection against direct strikes from certain bouncing road debris but they are certainly not metal plates, right?

And people who buy SUVs should only care about how many diaper boxes and baby seats it can store--not foul weather durability, right?

 

[DWs-TTEB]

OK, someone correct me if need be here...

I think what people are calling "skid plates" are really sound deadening and aerodynamic add-ons, right? Yes they may provide some protection against direct strikes from certain bouncing road debris but they are certainly not metal plates, right?

And people who buy SUVs should only care about how many diaper boxes and baby seats it can store--not foul weather durability, right?

Your right. We just don’t know what to call the cloth things.

 

[carymccarr]

OK, someone correct me if need be here...

I think what people are calling "skid plates" are really sound deadening and aerodynamic add-ons, right? Yes they may provide some protection against direct strikes from certain bouncing road debris but they are certainly not metal plates, right?

And people who buy SUVs should only care about how many diaper boxes and baby seats it can store--not foul weather durability, right?

Correct. And in every other vehicle I’ve owned they are metal.


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[MxRacer965]

I live in West Michigan, we generally get a good amount of snow...and the slush mentioned. I honestly haven’t noticed an issue with the panel catching slush. I have the weather tech mud flaps though, maybe that helps?

That doesn’t mean I’m not interested in the raptor skid plate...interesting addition. Mostly because I’d like to make changing oil easier. If I don’t have to drop that cover each time that would be nice. The added protection is a nice bonus, but probably overkill. I’m not taking a Max Platinum off road!

 

[Thomas Hardesty]

All of this got trapped in the stupid flimsy larger underbody “protector”. All we did was drive on a few slushy roads to pick up lunch.

Came back out after I finished watching the 24 Hours of Daytona to clean my Explorer off and noticed the belly piece hanging REAL low. 2 screws and it is flimsy as heck! Spent the next hour cleaning out all the trapped wet compacted snow from everywhere. Such a terrible design. Anybody else who regularly gets snow have this issue.



PS - Still really impressed by the 4WD systems in these things. Handles traction issues like a champ even with Stock 22’s.



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[Thomas Hardesty]

I agree! Cheap Cheesy felt floppy useless garbage shields!

 

[Craig Lasnier]

They are all like that, problem is if you don’t rinse it very well all the salt and road dirt will start rotten your Expy away. Rocker panels on these things have always been an issue as well.

 

[Deadman]

They are all like that, problem is if you don’t rinse it very well all the salt and road dirt will start rotten your Expy away. Rocker panels on these things have always been an issue as well.

Thats why they are Aluminum now.

 

[lbv150]

The felt type shield has to be removed each time to change the oil....I keep mine off. Plus the transmission runs a tad cooler in the summer.