F150 question

[TJay]

I have a 2019 F150 4x4 and this morning I noticed something hanging down from between the front wheels. I got down to look underneath and it is some sort of shield made of some cheapo pressed paper material. What is this? There was also some hanging down up by the passenger side wheel. What is this and is there a better replacement than this mess?

 

[DAVE]

Splash shield, very fragile and not durable at all. When change oil it has to be removed and after a few times it does what yours' has done, come apart. I am not sure what it's purpose is unless it is for noise reduction. Save your self some aggravation and either get a new one or even better leave it off.

 

[TJay]

Thanks Dave. Yeah after doing some research this infamous part is referred to as the "saggy diaper" on the interweb. There is an OEM replacement that actually comes on the Raptor and is made from metal but will work on most F150's. I will probably go that route. Hard to come up with words as to how disgusted I am with Ford for equipping their trucks with this garbage.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I think they are for MPGs.

 

[TJay]

I think they are for MPGs.

Yeah some sort of Obama era EPA thing, makes me hate it even more.

 

[transfixer]

many manufacturers now are covering the whole area under the engine/transmission with covers similar to that, some put little access panels to get to the oil drain plug or oil filter, some don't, on those you have to remove the whole cover in order to change the oil.

I've not seen it in print but I believe it is to reduce wind turbulence in an effort to make the undercarriage more streamlined for fuel economy reasons, and the manufacturers don't care if they last, they don't care about anything after the sale as long as the vehicle gets past the factory warranty