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Removing splash guard for oil changes

alrashid2

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Hey yall. Still waiting on my Ranger order but planning ahead and wanted to ask a question. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the splash guard under the engine bay - that must be removed prior to changing the oil - is metal, right? Or is it plastic?

Regardless of material... have any of you removed them from your Ranger permanently? I've always ripped these off on any car I have as they only add more work to the oil change, and I've never noticed a negative outcome from removing them. Gas mileage didn't seem to change and engine didn't get any dirtier.

What do you guys think? Thanks!
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jordantii

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Can't speak on the Ranger but the RR has a metal skid under the oil pan which I would not leave off. I have after market skid plates on the truck now and they incorporate a single bolt "door" that makes changing the oil a breeze with the Ronin drain plug.
 

Ron Quixote

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My XL has a plastic splash guard that must be removed every oil change. TBH, it‘a not a big deal. I had a 4Runner once that required to you drop a metal skid to change the filter. Now THAT was a PITA.

Removing the splash guard is nothing compared to Ford’s retarded location for the oil filter itself.
 

superj

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2wd trucks have a plastic splash guard underneath. i have bought many used cars that those trays were not on and the vehicles ran fine so i imagine you would be fine leaving it off the truck.

i put it on every time because i try to keep all the aero parts on for gas mileage and that actually is an aero part. how much of a difference it makes is probably zero though and once i get my hands on the metal skid plates, one of those will go on in its place.

i added a fumoto drain valve to my 2.3 and it has a nipple to put a hose onto so i won't actually have to remove the splash guard anymore for oil changes. just hook up the hose and put it into the drain pan and go. or even put the hose on and roll it up with some velcro tie strap when done and just leave it on the splash guard like someone else on here does. i forget who came up with that great idea but to me, that is the way to go
 

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superj

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wow. hmm, maybe its all trucks that are not fx4 or above? i never looked under my son's 24 stx 4x4 so i just assumed the plastic ones were 2wd only
 
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alrashid2

alrashid2

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Thanks all! I guess I should have mentioned I ordered the 2.7 Ecoboost with the plastic pan. Planning on installing the Ronin.

Guess we'll see!
 

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2.3L FX4 is metal skid plate/shield and a "normal" metal pan and drain plug.
 

BigBassDaddy407

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Hey yall. Still waiting on my Ranger order but planning ahead and wanted to ask a question. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the splash guard under the engine bay - that must be removed prior to changing the oil - is metal, right? Or is it plastic?

Regardless of material... have any of you removed them from your Ranger permanently? I've always ripped these off on any car I have as they only add more work to the oil change, and I've never noticed a negative outcome from removing them. Gas mileage didn't seem to change and engine didn't get any dirtier.

What do you guys think? Thanks!
XLT 4x4 not FX4- plastic splash guard

I've done 2 oil changes myself so far and it takes about 5 minutes to remove it. I put it back because its not too much of an inconvenience for me. Would be faster if I start using my wireless impact wrench. If I recall, there are some wires just above (<1") from the plastic guard that are wrapped.

Drain plug is a plastic twist off.
 

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03GeeTee

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Hey yall. Still waiting on my Ranger order but planning ahead and wanted to ask a question. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the splash guard under the engine bay - that must be removed prior to changing the oil - is metal, right? Or is it plastic?

Regardless of material... have any of you removed them from your Ranger permanently? I've always ripped these off on any car I have as they only add more work to the oil change, and I've never noticed a negative outcome from removing them. Gas mileage didn't seem to change and engine didn't get any dirtier.

What do you guys think? Thanks!
If your truck is an FX4 it will have a steel skid plate covering the engine. If non FX4 it will be plastic.
 

james1108

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Can't speak on the Ranger but the RR has a metal skid under the oil pan which I would not leave off. I have after market skid plates on the truck now and they incorporate a single bolt "door" that makes changing the oil a breeze with the Ronin drain plug.
What aftermarket skid plate you got?
 

james1108

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I don't know if I can say anything yet, NDA. But I can give you a clue. There is s forum sponsor that asked for testers for their product and I was one of them. It was one of them. Just search skid plate...
Thank you
 
 







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