Adding skid plates to 2018 Limited with tow package?

[scottdm]

Just put the whole list into levittownfordparts and its $617 plus 101 shipping. @scottdm how did you manage ~$500?

Also, regarding transmission plate: standard (FX4) vs Raptor. Can somebody shed some light, please? Is the one really aluminum with felt and the other one steel? Whats the approx weight difference?

THanks much

My parts guy gave me a discount after I inquired, and I picked up locally so didn't have any shipping.

On the transmission plate, the standard plate is the same on all Expeditions regardless of if it has the FX4 package or not. It's a fiber material with thick aluminum foil to add some stiffness in places (think a foil baking pan). This plate is flimsy & flexible and doesn't do much of anything. The Raptor transmission skid plate is a steel stamping and is heavy and durable and is what a skid plate should be. Rough weight estimate is that felt plate is 5 # and the Raptor plate is 30#.

 

[Black]

The transmission fiber skid is not there for any sort of protection. It is for aerodynamics. Sure it will deflect tiny stones and debris but and solid strike would do a number on it.
The metal on top is heat shielding may help add a rich of rigidity to keep it from flopping with the airflow.

 

[Tom T]

Pulled the trigger and ordered at Levittwon Ford

HL3Z-7222-A Under Cover $110.63 1 $110.63
HL3Z-7222-B Under Cover Access Panel $24.18 1 $24.18
JL1Z-5D032-A Skid Plate $50.67 1 $50.67
JL1Z-5D032-B Skid Plate $132.94 1 $132.94
JL1Z-7E063-A Plate $29.30 1 $29.30
JL1Z-9A147-A Skid Plate $78.86 1 $78.86
-W520813-S439 Damper U-Nut $1.44 4 $5.76
-W709390-S439 Damper Bolt $2.01 4 $8.04
-W704336-S439 Lower Bracket Bolt $1.44 10 $14.40
-W714338-S439 Fender Bolt $1.44 8 $11.52
-W716538-S450B Hinge Nut $1.44 8 $11.52
-W717461-S439 Skid Plate Nut $2.01 16 $32.16
-W505594-S440 Plate Bolt $2.59 6 $15.54
-W717268-S439 Sunroof Frame Screw $3.74 4 $14.96
-W717634-S439 Front Shield U-Nut $2.01 6 $12.06
JL1Z-9054-D Tank Strap $28.22 1 $28.22
JL1Z-9054-B Tank Strap $28.12 1 $28.12
Subtotal: $608.88
Shipping (FedEx Ground): $101.76
Total: $710.64

 

[Black]

How much did your Local Ford dealer want?

 

[Tom T]

Did not ask....they were not cooperative with tires, black grill and skid plates....they did not want the business....

 

[Black]

Did not ask....they were not cooperative with tires, black grill and skid plates....they did not want the business....

Did you buy your Expedition there? Seems like something the parts manager would want to know.

Tires $1000+
Skids $1000
Grille $600

$2600 in parts and they don’t want to help. If I was the boss someone would be in a heap of trouble.
Or are they just dumb? One of our parts depts here is terrible. I can bring them a part number and they have trouble locating it. It can seem like they don’t want to help they just don’t have a clue. I don’t bother with them anymore.
Never been to Dallas but pretty sure it is bigger than here and we’ve got 3 Ford dealers think I’d be making friends at another.

 

[Deadman]

Does this skid plate addition require removing the factory air deflector type skid or does that stay on also? Sorry if I didn't read back thru all the pages....

 

[scottdm]

Does this skid plate addition require removing the factory air deflector type skid or does that stay on also? Sorry if I didn't read back thru all the pages....

The Raptor transmission skid plate replaces the stock fiber skid plate.

 

[Tom T]

@Black yeah, I was surprised myself....they want to sell warranties etc, not do any "custom" work or sales. Just boilerplate....paper pusher ;-)

 

[joethefordguy]

The third generation trucks used the slip on threaded inserts (speed nuts) for the front two skid plates, along with metric bolts. If there are rectangular holes in the frame next to round holes then the plates are installed with speed nuts. The nuts are clips with threads.

The fuel tank shield used a mix of standard nuts and speed nuts.

The skid plates on the third generation police vehicles are good quality (about 12 ga. steel, plastic on the tank) for everything but perhaps rock climbing and are money well spent in my opinion. I'm on the beach often, and I've heard these plates deflect lots of stuff. The RCI ones are much heavier (choice of 1/4" steel or aluminum, I think).

A long-shot may be finding a wrapped up SSV police Expedition. They have the full set of plates and junkyards generally give you all three for $100.

This is a $3 Speed Nut.

FWIW, i just bought a 2004 SSV and it did not have skid plates. of course, the fire department could have taken them off, but you have to wonder why they would do that...

 

[joethefordguy]

The transmission fiber skid is not there for any sort of protection. It is for aerodynamics. Sure it will deflect tiny stones and debris but and solid strike would do a number on it.
The metal on top is heat shielding may help add a rich of rigidity to keep it from flopping with the airflow.

thanks for that. i was wondering why anybody would make a "skid plate" out of plastic or paper.

 

[Backinblack]

I recently removed my front air dam as was able to get under and look around. I got the impression it was very unprotected and plan on looking into this much further and want to thank everyone who contributed to the thread.

 

[duneslider]

Speaking from experience, the transmission fiber skid isn't there for protection. My got pretty messed up. I tried bending it back to somewhat normal when I changed the oil but it still is jacked up. I plan to get the better skids for next years camping trips.

 

[scottdm]

When I installed the middle skid plate that protects the steering rack, I installed it on the stock fiber piece since the stock fiber piece extends further and protects some wiring and inner front CV boots. It’s a loose enough fit that water can still drain from the metal skid to keep it from rusting out. Curious what others have done. I assume the FX4 does not have the fiber piece around the steering rack due to stock metal skid in that location.

 

[Deadman]

Pulled the trigger and ordered at Levittwon Ford

HL3Z-7222-A Under Cover $110.63 1 $110.63
HL3Z-7222-B Under Cover Access Panel $24.18 1 $24.18
JL1Z-5D032-A Skid Plate $50.67 1 $50.67
JL1Z-5D032-B Skid Plate $132.94 1 $132.94
JL1Z-7E063-A Plate $29.30 1 $29.30
JL1Z-9A147-A Skid Plate $78.86 1 $78.86
-W520813-S439 Damper U-Nut $1.44 4 $5.76
-W709390-S439 Damper Bolt $2.01 4 $8.04
-W704336-S439 Lower Bracket Bolt $1.44 10 $14.40
-W714338-S439 Fender Bolt $1.44 8 $11.52
-W716538-S450B Hinge Nut $1.44 8 $11.52
-W717461-S439 Skid Plate Nut $2.01 16 $32.16
-W505594-S440 Plate Bolt $2.59 6 $15.54
-W717268-S439 Sunroof Frame Screw $3.74 4 $14.96
-W717634-S439 Front Shield U-Nut $2.01 6 $12.06
JL1Z-9054-D Tank Strap $28.22 1 $28.22
JL1Z-9054-B Tank Strap $28.12 1 $28.12
Subtotal: $608.88
Shipping (FedEx Ground): $101.76
Total: $710.64

Did this cover everything, or was there misc parts missing?
Thanks

 

[TheDoug]

I wasn't able to locate the invoice, so I ended up taking the access panel off of the skid plate and took a couple of photos for you. My recollection was that it cost maybe $40 including the fasteners. See attached:

View attachment 29657 View attachment 29658 View attachment 29659

Can you help me out, I think I am missing some fastners or something. I have the plate and screws like in your pic but nothing on my skid plate to mount them to. Do I need some different size clip bolt things?

 

[scottdm]

Can you help me out, I think I am missing some fastners or something. I have the plate and screws like in your pic but nothing on my skid plate to mount them to. Do I need some different size clip bolt things?

You need (3) speed nuts similar to this: Take the bolts in to the parts guy, and he should be able to find the correct size speed nuts. The speed nuts clip onto the skid plate and hold the nut in place so you can bolt the access cover on.

 

[Deadman]

Has anyone been quoted really hi prices for this stuff? I was just quoted $267 for the front skid plate that the other guy paid $160 for. Holy crap. My dealer agreed to cut me slack because I had the print out from here, but damn....

 

[scottdm]

Has anyone been quoted really hi prices for this stuff? I was just quoted $267 for the front skid plate that the other guy paid $160 for. Holy crap. My dealer agreed to cut me slack because I had the print out from here, but damn....

Call a couple of different dealers in your area. Some are looking to get rich from parts sales, and others make their money by volume and are willing to discount 10-15% from list without much hassle. Find the prices online and tell the local dealer you'd prefer to buy from them if they can match the pricing, etc.

 

[TheDoug]

You need (3) speed nuts similar to this: Take the bolts in to the parts guy, and he should be able to find the correct size speed nuts. The speed nuts clip onto the skid plate and hold the nut in place so you can bolt the access cover on.

Thanks, none of the ones I received were the right size so I wasn't 100% sure what was required there

Thanks for your help!