After spending some time under my 2009 XLT today, checking things out, I found a thick steel plate, about 8 inches long by 4 inches wide by 1 inch thick, mounted on top of the frame rail, at the rear drivers side of the truck.

It is mounted in such a way that it can lean from side to side on some kind of cushions. At first I thought it might be part of the stability system, but I found no wire attached to it in any way. I would estimate that the steel weighed around 20lbs or so.

Does anyone know what this is for and has anyone else found it on their truck?

 

Remember the movie "Casino"
Deniro said that steel plate under the seat on that year of Cadillac saved his Life!

If Peshi comes looking for you........Your Covered!

Ill go look at mine tomorrow and get back to you!

 

It's likely a vibration damper.

 

It IS a vibration dampner....leave it be! Do a search here and there have been several threads about it. Older trucks had a round wieght and the newer ones have your shape.

 

Thanks for the info...

Had I known what it was before posting, I would have done a search, myself.

I just did the search and it has been 9 months since it was last asked. I was not active until I just got my 09 in December.

Sorry for the dumb question...

 

There is NEVER a dumb question....but the answer is usually nearby.

 

It's to add weight. That way Ford can remove one heavy plate each following model year and claim a teenie bit better towing numbers, like they always seem to do, even though nothing about the truck has changed at all.

 

 

On my '09 there is a weight attached to the exhaust , another vibration damper.