Adding skid plates to 2018 Limited with tow package?

[scottdm]

I have a 2018 Limited with the tow package and was curious if anyone has investigated adding the OEM skid plates from the FX4 to a Limited? Mine is a short wheelbase like the FX4, so I would think the fuel tank skid plate should work as well. I wouldn't mind the additional under body protection for running in sand dunes, or at the beach, if it was a reasonable addition. It's a shame that Ford doesn't offer the FX4 package on higher trim levels like they do on the F150.

 

[KenK]

I recently bought a 2018 XLT Max with the tow package and also want to add skid plates but have not yet found the Ford parts online.

Attached are pictures I took of Expedition FX4 skid plates, generally they do not look all that substantial.
The one under the intercooler appeared to be steel, under the engine aluminum, under transmission appeared to be aluminum with that fiber stuff on it, transfer case plate was steel, and the gas tank shield was plastic.


I contacted RCI for heavier duty aftermarket plates and here is their response:

Thank you so much for your interest in our products. We manufacture a front skid plate in steel and a transmission skid plate in steel or aluminum. Unfortunately not a transfer case skid plate.
The 09-14' F150 happens to share some similarities in the frame with the Expedition. So, that's why we sell the front and transmission skid plate.
We only manufacture the skid plates for the 09-14'/F150 in steel. However the transmission skid plate is the same for all 09-19' F150s. That is why we have one in aluminum that fits the Expedition.
I'd be happy to place an order for your directly or feel free to place one at the website and let me know if there is anything else that I can help you with.
Thanks again and have a great day.
RCI OFFROAD
P: 970.797.3089
[email protected]

 

[scottdm]

Thanks for the photos. Did RCI say that their skid plates for the engine & transmission would be easy to bolt on? Just curious if existing bolt holes and weld nuts exist to bolt everything on without major modifications.

 

[scottdm]

Talked with my dealer and got a quote for roughly $500 for all the parts and fasteners to replicate the FX4 skid plates (engine, intercooler, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank). I ordered the transfer case skid plate (part 7E063 below) to see how easy it is to bolt everything on (RCI doesn't make the transfer case skid plate), and then will decide if I end up doing OEM or RCI skids for engine, transmission, and fuel tank. Some part diagrams are below for illustration.

 

[KenK]

The RCI stuff looked to be of good quality and easy to install, not cheap, but not crazy expensive.

Thanks for the diagrams with the factory skid plates. $500 doesn't sound too outrageous including all the hardware.
I'm having a little trouble figuring out from the from the diagram what hardware is needed for the gas tank skid plate.
We definitely need the tank straps because they have the studs mounted on them to attach the big plastic skid plate.

I like the idea of just doing a piece at a time like you are doing with the transfer case.
Let us know how it goes.

 

[scottdm]

On the fuel tank diagram, it looks like the new fuel tank straps have short studs welded to them and then the "HN3" nuts hold the fuel tank skid plate in place.

On the other skid plates, I'm interested to see what the "HN1" nuts look like and how they mount to the frame. The frame is fully boxed and has holes pre-drilled, but no existing weld nuts on the inside of the boxed frame. I'm thinking it's something similar to a drywall anchor that expands on the other side of the hole when it's tightened down, but not sure what would keep the nut from spinning since it's a round hold in the frame. I'll try to take some pictures when the hardware arrives and I install it.

 

[Artie]

Talked with my dealer and got a quote for roughly $500 for all the parts and fasteners to replicate the FX4 skid plates (engine, intercooler, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank). I ordered the transfer case skid plate (part 7E063 below) to see how easy it is to bolt everything on (RCI doesn't make the transfer case skid plate), and then will decide if I end up doing OEM or RCI skids for engine, transmission, and fuel tank. Some part diagrams are below for illustration.




View attachment 28303 View attachment 28304

Would these just bolt in without any fabrication? I want some for the Navigator but idk if I want to go with the Fx4 ones or wait for some kinda after market ones. I’ve seen mixed reviews for the Fx4 ones but I’m not looking to do anything crazy but I go get off pavement and want some kinda protection.

 

[scottdm]

The theory is that everything should bolt up, but we'll find out when the transfer case skid plate arrives with the hardware. Thought I'd start small and see how things work out with the install before deciding which skid plates to use for the remaining areas. The only aftermarket option that I'm aware of is RCI, and their components look more stout, though are also more expensive.

 

[Trainmaster]

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.

 

[Artie]

The theory is that everything should bolt up, but we'll find out when the transfer case skid plate arrives with the hardware. Thought I'd start small and see how things work out with the install before deciding which skid plates to use for the remaining areas. The only aftermarket option that I'm aware of is RCI, and their components look more stout, though are also more expensive.

The RCI site is only showing options for 3rd gen unless I’m missing something. Those look pretty tough tho and quality isn’t something I mind paying for. How do they compare to the Fx4 plates?

 

[scottdm]

I havn't talked with RCI yet, but based on the prior posts and the RCI website, it looks like they offer only the engine and transmission skid plates for the Expedition. Would need to confirm that they fit the 4th generation as well. The RCI site says they are 10 gauge powder coated steel, which appear to be thicker than the OEM parts.

 

[Artie]

FRY I emailed RCI and they stated they don’t offer anything for ‘18’s but if I was local they could try and fit a ‘17 plate if I wanted to come by.

 

[scottdm]

They seem to offer '15-'19 skid plates for the F150. I wonder how different the mounting locations would be? Seems like everything but the larger fuel tank skid plate offered on the F150 for the 36 gallon tank would be compatible. I'll probably go with the OEM skid plates if they can't confirm that their stuff would fit.

 

[scottdm]

I picked up the transfer case skid plate from the dealer and installed it. It's a steel plate with zinc coating, so I decided to paint it with black POR-15 since the salt/brine they spread on the roads in western PA is hard on everything. The threaded inserts were easy to install in the frame and cross member, and the skid plate bolted right up with no issues. I'll likely plan to order the remaining skids plates from the dealer to complete the install since RCI won't confirm fitment on 4th gen Expeditions for their skid plates. Pictures are below and include the part numbers and pricing.

:

 

[Artie]

I picked up the transfer case skid plate from the dealer and installed it. It's a steel plate with zinc coating, so I decided to paint it with black POR-15 since the salt/brine they spread on the roads in western PA is hard on everything. The threaded inserts were easy to install in the frame and cross member, and the skid plate bolted right up with no issues. I'll likely plan to order the remaining skids plates from the dealer to complete the install since RCI won't confirm fitment on 4th gen Expeditions for their skid plates. Pictures are below and include the part numbers and pricing.

View attachment 28386 View attachment 28388 View attachment 28390 View attachment 28391 View attachment 28392 :

Thanks for posting pics, I’m gonna get under mine and see if I have the same holes for the threaded inserts. The plate looks fairly tough, would you agree?

 

[Trainmaster]

Scott, glad it worked out. Where'd you get those nice color parts book pictures?

 

[Black]

If you go with the factory skids may want to spray them with raptor liner instead of POR.
You’ll gain a bit of strength/rigidity for the thinner plates but will also have the corossion resistance.

Granted I have a 16 so I’ll be going with RCI skies for motor and transmission.

But OEM fuel tanks skids are heavy plastic so I’ll certainly coat them in raptor liner.
I’ll probably see if RCI will send me unpowder coated plates to save a few bucks and raptor line them too.

 

[scottdm]

Scott, glad it worked out. Where'd you get those nice color parts book pictures?

My parts guys texted them to me. He took a picture of his computer screen while we were on the phone so he could confirm what I wanted. Seemed to work well.

 

[scottdm]

Thanks for posting pics, I’m gonna get under mine and see if I have the same holes for the threaded inserts. The plate looks fairly tough, would you agree?

The plate is heavy gauge stamped steel (didn't have a caliper to check thickness). It will suit my needs fine for mild offroading/beach driving.

 

[scottdm]

If you go with the factory skids may want to spray them with raptor liner instead of POR.
You’ll gain a bit of strength/rigidity for the thinner plates but will also have the corossion resistance.

Granted I have a 16 so I’ll be going with RCI skies for motor and transmission.

But OEM fuel tanks skids are heavy plastic so I’ll certainly coat them in raptor liner.
I’ll probably see if RCI will send me unpowder coated plates to save a few bucks and raptor line them too.

Good idea on the bed-liner material. I had the POR 15 sitting around and it's really sticky, thick, oil based paint. I brushed on 3 coats nice and thick, so we'll see how it holds up.