Engine/Tranny Cooling With and Without Skidplates

[Grrumpy]

Just wondering if anyone has determined whether the engine and trans cooling is affected by whether or not there is a skid plate installed. I just bought a 2019 Expy with the FX4 package with skidplates. I don't go offroad with this vehicle nor do I plan too...bought it primarily for its towing ability.....towing a 7000 lb travel trailer.
I am very familiar with turbos and the 10R80 trans and know they run a bit hot, especially when towing.
Just curious if removing the skid plates would increase air flow to the engine/trans to assist with cooling.

 

[Fastcar]

I would think that the removal would allow for the heat to dissipate much quicker. Towing, I assume you have a trans temp gauge. Remove them and see what the temp is.

 

[Grrumpy]

Yeah, I have a ScanGauge lll that monitors the coolant and trans temps (in addition to the dash trans temp monitor) and thinking about doing just that to compare temps.
Since I don't off road removing the skids is no loss for me....never had em on any other tow vehicle I had. And from what I can determine, the 2 WD Expy's don't have skids....so I wonder if they run a bit cooler.
Was just wondering if anyone else had attempted to try.
And for info, the dash trans temp monitor matches up with the temps the ScanGauge reads almost perfectly....few times just a single degree difference.

 

[BMW2FORD]

I’m the opposite and have a 2018 non FX4 car but added the skid plates and also have the Raptor metal plate under the trans. I didn’t see any rise in temp after adding them but do have the updated 180 Ford T stat.

 

[Fastcar]

Yeah, I have a ScanGauge lll that monitors the coolant and trans temps (in addition to the dash trans temp monitor) and thinking about doing just that to compare temps.
Since I don't off road removing the skids is no loss for me....never had em on any other tow vehicle I had. And from what I can determine, the 2 WD Expy's don't have skids....so I wonder if they run a bit cooler.
Was just wondering if anyone else had attempted to try.
And for info, the dash trans temp monitor matches up with the temps the ScanGauge reads almost perfectly....few times just a single degree difference.

That's good to know. Good info.

 

[duneslider]

I highly doubt you would see much if any difference. There is already a large "cover" on the bottom and you are mostly just replacing that with metal. The cooling is supposed to happen via airflow through the radiators and not air just passing along the outside of the motor and transmission.