My 04 Lariat came with skid plates. It seems that whatever is under the gas tank is plastic. Does the FX4 come with a metal skid plate for the gas tank or is it the ribbed plastic one. Does anyone have pictures of the underside yet.

 

I have an FX4 and it is the same plastic skidplate like you mentioned, I do have a pic if you want me to email it to you.

 

I guess if it is the same I dont need a picutre. I am kind of surprised that they did not put a metal skid on the tank. Thanks for checking...

 

Hmmm, am disappointed now. Like you said, my FX4 has the ribbed plastic plate under my gas tank. Seems kinda cheesy to me!

It's night, don't know how good these pictures will be...

 

That is the one I have on mine.

 

Yep..the same as mine...

 

I'll check mine in the AM, but it must be the same. Good heavens, is the whole truck made of cheap platic or what? At least I don't have to worry about rust since only metal rusts. :-(

 

Think about what you guys are talking about! WHat happens when metel scrapes rock/etc? OR metel on metal? Sparks! Under your gas tank! If it wsa sharp enough or hard enough to damage the skid plate and tank it could get a little warm under your seat. Rock on plastic? No sparks...also thew facvt that the plastic might "give or flex" a little bit may not be a bad thing as it means more protection t gives adn flexes rather than breakin g and will probably retain to its normal shape after said flex. Metal would bend and have to be pounded back at best. Also a metal skid plate does not mean more protection I have seen holes in transfer case covers even w/ a skid plate!

 

Depends on who the skid plate mfg is...



Now the above pictured gas tank protection is for a Jeep, but the point is to illustrate, that if you traversing terrain that presents that much of a threat to your gas tank, then you likely will need to go aftermarket, and the best choice will almost always be a serious metal skid plate. A pricier alternative, would be to have Currie Enterprises fab you a $1,500+ all stainless tank, and skip the skid plate. The one above is meant to be able to support the entire weight of the vehicle, without deforming.

So why doesn't Ford provide such protection from the factory? Likely they are trying to save money, reduce weight (raise CAFE numbers), and for the most part, the truth be told, only a minority of their buyers require that much undercarriage protection. How many of us would take a brand new $35 or $40,000 truck out to places that requires that kind of protection? Not me. That is what the Jeep being towed behind the truck is for!