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Removing splash guard for oil changes

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alrashid2

alrashid2

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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.
Thanks, that is what I ordered - an XLT 4x4 without the FX4. Do you recall how many bolts there are for the plastic shield? Maybe I'll give it a shot.
 

hand-filer

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Thanks, that is what I ordered - an XLT 4x4 without the FX4. Do you recall how many bolts there are for the plastic shield? Maybe I'll give it a shot.
It's not a plastic shield on the FX4, it's a stamped steel skid plate. It's held on with 4 bolts. 2 holes at the front, 2 slots at the rear. You loosen the 2 rear bolts and remove the 2 front bolts to remove it.
It takes all of 2 minutes to remove it.

Edit: Another reading comprehension fail on my part 🤦‍♂️
 
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superj

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plastic has 5 bolts. 3 in front and 2 in back part. same set up though where you loosen 2 and remove the others so it slides in and out of those 2. i think its 14mm bolts and i use the battery powered drill to remove and install with zero issues. there is indeed a wire harness that hangs down under the oil pan but it actually clips into a spot with a push pin. mine was not pushed in but i found the hole and pushed it in so it no longer hangs just above the plastic shield. its still above, but no longer just above it.
 
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alrashid2

alrashid2

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plastic has 5 bolts. 3 in front and 2 in back part. same set up though where you loosen 2 and remove the others so it slides in and out of those 2. i think its 14mm bolts and i use the battery powered drill to remove and install with zero issues. there is indeed a wire harness that hangs down under the oil pan but it actually clips into a spot with a push pin. mine was not pushed in but i found the hole and pushed it in so it no longer hangs just above the plastic shield. its still above, but no longer just above it.
Thanks for letting me know! With 5 bolts it sounds like I'll be ripping this cover off 😂
 

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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!
Cut a hole in it and put an "EZ Oil Drain Valve" in. Simples!
 
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alrashid2

alrashid2

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Cut a hole in it and put an "EZ Oil Drain Valve" in. Simples!
I've got a 2.7 with the plastic pan! So no valve unfortunately.

My wife's Mazda has a plastic shield with a 4x4" door to access the oil plug. Was so annoying to try and get my hands in there. Ripped that shield off too!!!

Funny, none of my Jeeps and Subarus of a decade ago had a shield under the engine and they all did ok!
 

Ricklyn

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Unfortunately my Ford Everest is still under warranty and my service manager has told me I'm not allowed to fit an EZ Drain plug otherwise, no warranty! 😬 So doing intermediate oil changes, I have to go through the antiquated process of removing bash plate and removing sump plug.. 🤮 Messy damn job compared to the EZ Drain method..
 
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alrashid2

alrashid2

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Unfortunately my Ford Everest is still under warranty and my service manager has told me I'm not allowed to fit an EZ Drain plug otherwise, no warranty! 😬 So doing intermediate oil changes, I have to go through the antiquated process of removing bash plate and removing sump plug.. 🤮 Messy damn job compared to the EZ Drain method..
Ha! I've got a solution for you: if you ever need to take the truck in for warranty work, just remove the eZ drain and put the old plug back! Nobody would ever know
 

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Ricklyn

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Ha! I've got a solution for you: if you ever need to take the truck in for warranty work, just remove the eZ drain and put the old plug back! Nobody would ever know
Ah ha! Very funny! 🤦‍♂️
I bought a service plan when I purchased it, so it has to go in every 15000 k's for servicing..🤷‍♂️
 

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No it doesn't.
Seems to be some misinterpretation based on word choice.
Pan = oil pan. Not skid plate.
The RR oil pan is plastic.
The RR skid plate is steel.
 
 







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