Anyone know what this is?

[Aemonn]

Since I don't know what it is, I don't know where to best put this thread. I searched google, did an image search.. no luck. I found it while running a wire from the bed of the truck to the battery. It was between the fuel tank and the plastic guard tank skid plate that comes on the ranger raptor. I have a 2024 Ranger Raptor.

Not sure if this is from my truck or a piece of debris that got kicked up there. From the dirt on it, looks like it's been there a while... at first I thought I may have dislodged it while routing my wire but I no longer think that is the case.

It was toward the center of the truck, next to where the drive shaft is. Could this be some part of that?

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[YeahNahRaptor]

That looks like a rubber isolator/anti-chafe spacer from around the fuel tank, not random road debris.

Its shape is designed to clip around a round component/strap or sit between the fuel tank and surrounding shield/bracket, preventing metal/plastic contact, vibration and rubbing. The fact that it was found between the fuel tank and the Raptor’s plastic fuel-tank skid/guard makes that much more likely.

The important part: I wouldn’t throw it away. If it came loose while the wire was being routed, there’s probably a specific spot where it clips back in.

 

[Aemonn]

Thanks. I'll take a bore scope and see if I can find where it goes.

 

[Aemonn]

Don't think it's from the fuel tank. Couldn't find anything with a bore scope. Here is a shot of the top of the stock fuel tank from this video (link). Red box to the left is where I found it. Wire I ran was along the right hand side of this photo--wire is above the frame but I did use a fish along the side of the tank (right side in this photo) before pushing the wire up above the frame..

 

[YeahNahRaptor]

I dug through the Ranger6G thread, Ford/Ranger parts catalogs, older Ranger service information, and compared the shape against driveline, exhaust and fuel-system isolators.

The key clue is the molded “NBR” on the rubber. NBR is nitrile rubber, commonly used around fuel systems because it resists gasoline/oil. That moves this away from being a generic suspension or body isolator.

My best identification is that this is a fuel filler/fuel-system tube support grommet/isolator — a split rubber collar that snaps around a relatively large tube and locks into a bracket or panel using those two broad wings. The split is intentional; it is not broken at the opening. Its job is to keep the tube from rubbing against the surrounding bracket/body and suppress vibration.

Why I’m leaning strongly that way:

* It was physically found between the tank/shield in the fuel-system area.
* The reverse-side photo shows two large flat locking ears, which is exactly the sort of design used to secure a grommet into a sheet-metal/plastic bracket.
* The material is marked NBR, which makes sense for prolonged exposure around fuel and hydrocarbons.
* Ford’s 2024 Ranger fuel filler system uses a complete filler-pipe assembly; for the 3.0L Ranger, Ford catalogs MB3Z-9034-W, and smaller isolators/support pieces may be included with the assembly rather than separately serviced.
* Ford documentation for the P703 Ranger specifically shows the filler pipe and associated vent/recirculation lines routed in this general tank/frame area and stresses that they must be supported and kept from contacting surrounding components.

What I don’t think it is

I no longer think it’s a driveshaft damper. Rangers definitely use driveline dynamic dampers, but the actual Ranger drive-shaft dampers are substantially larger/heavier assemblies and look nothing like this loose rubber collar.

It’s also not a normal exhaust hanger. The Ranger exhaust isolators use the conventional two-hole/solid hanger arrangement, which doesn’t match this piece.

And I agree with the OP that it probably doesn’t mount directly on top of the fuel tank. The borescope check showed no obvious missing location there.

Where I think it actually came from

I’d inspect the fuel filler/vent/EVAP tubing between the tank and the frame/body, especially where any larger tube passes through or alongside a metal/plastic bracket. You’re looking for:

round tube → oversized circular opening/bracket → missing rubber collar around it.

The two rectangular wings on this piece should correspond to two opposing slots/notches in that bracket. Once we find those, identification becomes virtually certain.

One issue: Ford’s public parts catalogs don’t appear to list this exact rubber piece as an individual service item. It may be supplied as part of MB3Z-9034-W / the filler-pipe assembly, which explains why searching the rubber itself produces essentially nothing.

If you want to nail this to 100% rather than ~85–90%, send me either:

1. the outside diameter, inside diameter and thickness of that rubber piece, or
2. a couple pictures underneath your Ranger around the front/rear/inside edges of the fuel tank and the filler/vent tubes.

With those dimensions I can match the bore to the specific Ranger tube and locate the exact mounting point.

 

[pbouy]

My guess is it's an isolator located between the tank and skid plate. You should have 2 straps holding the tank on secured with bolts. I'd bet if you scoped around those straps, you might see another one installed on the other strap.

 

[got3fords]

Here is what Gemini AI spit out:

• The Material Mark (>NR<): This is a standard automotive manufacturing code that stands for Natural Rubber. It tells us the part is designed to absorb vibration and handle moderate temperatures.
• The Mold Code (1-1S): This is a factory mold cavity or revision identifier, not a searchable part number.
• The Shape: It is a thick, C-shaped bushing (a ring with a split) featuring two distinct rectangular tabs on the top and bottom.
• The Split: The gap allows the bushing to be slipped over a shaft, peg, or line without having to disconnect the entire assembly. The tabs are meant to slide into a fixed metal bracket to lock the rubber in place.

Most Likely Candidates
On the 2024 Ford Ranger, a part with this specific geometry is used as a mounting isolator (also called an insulator or grommet) to prevent metal-on-metal rattling. The most common culprits for this exact shape include:

• Radiator or Intercooler Mounting Bushings: These rubber rings sit on the upper or lower mounting pegs of the radiator and intercooler assemblies. They slot into the frame brackets to hold the cooling system securely while absorbing engine vibrations.
• Airbox (Intake) Grommets: The engine's air cleaner housing is often press-fit into the engine bay using similar rubber tabbed bushings.
• A/C or Heater Line Isolators: Sometimes these are used to secure rigid AC or coolant lines against the firewall or frame.

 

[pbouy]

If the chances of something falling off from under the hood and bouncing just right to land where you found it, go buy some lottery tickets!!!

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