I think losing the wheel well liners on the rear is not necessarily a bad thing and that was the first thing I noticed with the 1997-on new trucks. But, I can't really see the front not getting at least some protection. I live on seriously muddy roads and at the rear the mud kind of goes everywhere now without the liners and doesn't build up to a foot of mass here and there - that is a good thing. But, I surely would not want all that crap shooting it's way up onto the engine. I'm pretty sure I have lost exhaust manifolds because of icy water splashing on them when they were very hot. That was on a 302 cid and the only way that cold water could hit those hot manifolds was through a rather large entry in the wheel well liners. That's exactly where the manifold cracked - twice.

 

Yeah I know, checked with 2 dealers here also, and theres nothing in the parts manual that shows what Im talking about, even though both parts managers understand my concern!! They also agreed with me 100 percent. Just a cheap way of doing things, that will probaly cause trouble in the long run!! I dont know about you, bou I cant afford to run and buy a new truck every few years!!!!

 

Well, I justed checked my 97' and my 04' and they have basically the same type of front plasic liner. It covers abouve the tire and down the side with cutouts for follow the frame or mechanical parts. It would prevent most debris from getting into the engine compartment.

I looked at a dealer too and it seems the Heritages for 04' have the best coverage where the bottom edge of the plastic is cut straight across, but with the 04', it wouldn't be possible to do the same.

The 04's have the rear wheel lined with the sheet metal that covers all except for straight in towards the center of the truck.

I live in MN, is Ford only adding these front liners for certain regions??

 

The front on all 04 f150 have the shields.I think some are trying to seal the whole bottom of the truck. My truck does not have to float.This thread should have ended ten post ago.

Just an opinion.

Mike

 

Well, you must be looking at different '04s than we are looking at. Because I can squat down next to the front tire on the '04s they are selling around here and I can see everything inside the engine compartment. And that isn't cool. If you want calcium chloride, mud, water, etc. thrown all over your new engine that's fine. But we personally would like our exhaust manifolds to last at least a year or two.

 

It's either a regional thing or they added this with later builds then. Mine is an October build and all the ones I checked on the lot had this too.

The guards covers the tire area from 3 O'clock to straight at the bumper, above and to then curved down on the inside of the tire. There's a notch for the new coiler over spring, but it runs a few inches lower than that "inside: of the tire.

The good news for you is these do exist, but somehow, only at the factory for now??

 

My Lariat was also an October build date but i still have not seen one on a lot that does not have front inner panels.The panels are like JMorri described.

Mike

 

Folks,

I just read the strings and went outside in the cold and snapped a pic of my left front wheel well. As the pic shows there is a partial liner (Look in my dual exhaust album). The rear has no liner on the frame side just over the wheel. My trucks build date late Oct 03.

 

Theres a half of one on the front, but nothing in the rear. Looks like youre looking straight through to the other side on the rear. No cover, no nothing, just straight through!! I can see the frame, shocks, gas tank, and every other thing else under the bed! Cant be good in the long run, especially where it snows, and they salt alot!!