Missing Front Skid Plate???

[Saltwater Soul]

I just yesterday purchased a 2018 Expedition Max Platinum 4x4 (21k miles) and I peeked under the engine. There is a big void there where I am used to seeing a skid plate or at least a barrier of some kind.

For those of you with similar vehicle, do you have a skid plate or barrier there? I'm wondering if I am missing something.

I am not too worried about serious off roading but drive a lot on the beach. I know how much sand and salt find there way up into the engine area. My other vehicles always had something.

I figured out the jack was missing so I'm talking with the dealer tomorrow. If this is also missing, I want to bring it up at the same time.

 

[Artie]

all the answers you seek are in this thread


https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/adding-skid-plates-to-2018-limited-with-tow-package.38146/

 

[Saltwater Soul]

Thanks. I had previously read that thread (and saved it) with a lot of interest but could not confirm that the Platinum version did not have some sort of protection. Seemed that everyone posting there had something slightly different.

Can I assume that "only" the FX4 version has any protection and that I am not missing something? Please be patient with me -- only two days into ownership.

 

[Artie]

Thanks. I had previously read that thread (and saved it) with a lot of interest but could not confirm that the Platinum version did not have some sort of protection. Seemed that everyone posting there had something slightly different.

Can I assume that "only" the FX4 version has any protection and that I am not missing something? Please be patient with me -- only two days into ownership.

No worries on the newbie questions, we’ve all been there.

You are correct, only the FX4 has the skids. It sucks too... I got a Navigator Reserve and I only have a couple of the skids, I’m missing the big one in the front. I do enough off pavement driving that I’m going to add all the ones I’m lacking.

 

[scottdm]

Thanks. I had previously read that thread (and saved it) with a lot of interest but could not confirm that the Platinum version did not have some sort of protection. Seemed that everyone posting there had something slightly different.

Can I assume that "only" the FX4 version has any protection and that I am not missing something? Please be patient with me -- only two days into ownership.

Your Platinum isn't missing any underbody shields in the area that you photographed. As you can imagine, this is why there is so much interest in adding skid plates.

 

[Orestes]

I just yesterday purchased a 2018 Expedition Max Platinum 4x4 (21k miles) and I peeked under the engine. There is a big void there where I am used to seeing a skid plate or at least a barrier of some kind.

For those of you with similar vehicle, do you have a skid plate or barrier there? I'm wondering if I am missing something.

I am not too worried about serious off roading but drive a lot on the beach. I know how much sand and salt find there way up into the engine area. My other vehicles always had something.

I figured out the jack was missing so I'm talking with the dealer tomorrow. If this is also missing, I want to bring it up at the same time.

View attachment 33503

I have the same problem with my new 2023 expedition limited 4x4, it's hard to find a skid plate for this model and year, I can't find anyone who manufactures skid plate for this model, I understand that it is not an off road model but I can't find a solution, if someone know can tell me, thank you

 

[Orestes]

I won't pay this, it's crazy
ford-front-shield-nl1z5d032b

 

[TheDoug]

I won't pay this, it's crazy
ford-front-shield-nl1z5d032b

That looks like a typo lol

 

[5280tunage]

Contact the folks at rci. You'll find them all over here and look for my posts. Their products are solid as heck. They may not be a perfect bolt on solution for everything, as just like Ford they probably try to cut manufacturing costs by having as few customizations as possible. Regardless they may already be working on 23 stuff.

 

[Trainmaster]

Okay, okay... The front skid plate that fits 2018 -2021 (JL1Z-5D032-B) costs $ 250

The front skid plate that looks the same and fits 2022 - 2024 (NL1Z-5D032-B) coats $ 1,259.

Why the difference? Does anyone know if the early one fits the later models?

 

[DieselMonk]

My SPP doesn’t have a skid plate either.

 

[Left Coast Geek]

I won't vouch for this, but afaik, that 3-4 letter prefix has to do with year/model, and JL1Z and L1Z are probabyl the same. 5D032 is the actual part, and -B is the revision.

 

[Left Coast Geek]

and yeah, my 2019 Limited Stealth 4x4 doesn't seem to have that front one either. it has the large one under the main engine.

 

[Hellwig]

Okay, okay... The front skid plate that fits 2018 -2021 (JL1Z-5D032-B) costs $ 250

The front skid plate that looks the same and fits 2022 - 2024 (L1Z-5D032-B) coats $ 1,259.

Why the difference? Does anyone know if the early one fits the later models?

Insane. I can guarantee you this specific plate costs Ford less than 600 RMB (abt $80 USD) per piece from a factory in southeast China.

 

[Trainmaster]

I'm going to measure the bolt holes on the frames of a 2019 and a 2023 and see if the early one will work...

 

[Trainmaster]

Here's the front skid plate story. I measured a 2019 and a 2023 frame and mountings and even though the parts book says 2018 - 2021 it appears that this skid plate will fit all years up to 2024:
(JL1Z-5D032-B) costs $ 250

The skid plate that the parts book shows for 2022 -2024:
(L1Z-5D032-B) costs $ 1,259
is the solid skid plate that is installed on the Timberline trucks.

The difference between the two is that the Timberline plate uses different brackets with two holes that are positioned across, parallel with the axle, while the older plate has the holes parallel with the side of the truck. Also, the Timberline plate is solid, stronger and matches up with a special bumper. The older plate is thinner, has perforations in it for air and has thinner (and cheaper) brackets.

I'm ordering one of the older plates and its brackets for my 2023. Will let you know how it works out.

The photo (from someone on this site) shows the older (JL1Z-5D032-B) plate with the older brackets.

 

[Trainmaster]

Just finished installing the front skid plate on my 2023 XL SSV. Found a dealer on ebay that sold one for $150 and the two brackets for $8 each. The hardware's another $30. Don't buy the Chinese stuff, it's spray painted junk that's not threaded correctly.

This plate is advertised in the Ford parts book to fit 2018 - 2021. It actually fits to at least 2024.

Plate: JL1Z-5D032-B
Brackets: JL1Z-6G079-A
JL1Z-6G039-B

 

[BMW2FORD]

Wow, interesting. Hers the same shot of that part on my 2018

 

[Trainmaster]

How did your 2018 get one? What was the trim on it? I wonder what trucks came with this as standard equipment.

The police package 4x4 (102A) is advertised as having skid plates, but only the engine and transfer case plates are included.

 

[BMW2FORD]

The FX4 off road package have them as standard equipment. I don’t have that option and have a Limited but added that plus the Raptor metal skid plate under the transmission as well as the transfer case shield.