Newby here to FTE Forum.

Have a new to me 2016 Expedition, XLT EL model, 4x4. Leather, 3rd road power seat, Sync with Nav. Nav seems good but not quite up to Garmin standards so far. Seems the perfect compromise between me who wanted a new F150 and my wife who wanted a new Explorer to tow behind the motorhome. Per Carfax, it was a used vehicle, came out of a rental company in So Cal.

While I don’t intend to offroad it like we did the Jeep we traded for it, it will still see some dirt/gravel/4WD roads. It’s got that great big 33 gal plastic fuel tank exposed with no protection. While looking into skid plates, it appears that Fleet or Special Services Vehicle builds could be ordered with xfer case and fuel tank skid plates. My local dealer confirms that he see these parts on the diagram but, no part number to order and retrofit.

Any thoughts/advice/recommendation (besides be careful offroading ).

 

Update for inquiring minds....

I went ahead and purchased the RCI skid plates for the F150. I went with the aluminium ones. Full engine and tranny. 100% bolt on no issues on my 2016 Expedition XLT EL 4x4. There's actually a well built flap in the tranny skid plate to allow access for engine oil drains. The only issue is it required some cutting and trimming to re-fit the front air dam (the front of the engine skid plate ties into the 2 bolts holding the air dam on).

15+ F-150 Full Skid Plate Package

I also got the Ford "skid plate" for the fuel tank. It's actually poly, same material, only about 1/4 thick as the rock/scatter shield between the stock fuel tank and the drive shaft. Fitting this required replacing the fuel tank straps with Ford skid plate compatible straps.

Start to finish install, including my first oil change on this beast was about 4 hours. Expedition was up on ramps and I was on a creeper. Boy do I miss my old 4-post lift

While I don't intend to do serious Jeep-like offroading, I definitely feel better with some of the "vitals" better protected.

 

Thanks for this information. I will be using my 2017 Expedition off road and have been looking around for appropriate protection of the "vitals". My last vehicle was a 2012 F-150 FX4 which came with all the protection and I always felt safe taking it places I should not have.

While the clearance is good with the Expedition and I have ample experience off road to avoid places to take it (I have never had to "walk out" of the field!), it is long gravel roads that can take the heaviest toll on a plastic tank. Also, getting stuck in mud up to the frame can do the worst damage.

I will continue searching for something appropriate for my needs, but your suggestion looks good. Thank you!

 

what fuel tank skid plate did you use. part # if possible Thanks, Ed

 

7L1Z-9A147-D Skid Plate $204.89

From Whitebear Lake Ford. Note you also need the fuel tank support straps that have studs built in to install this. Easy to swap out the straps one at a time and bolt the skid plate on. Low fuel in the tank and I used a floor jack for support as well, but not that difficult to drop, twist and remove/reinstall straps.

AutoNation Ford White Bear Lake | Parts & Accessories

Note you have to go back to 2013 Expedition (XLT EL in my case) to find the skid plate and all 3 fuel tank straps. They show, but stop listing the part number for the skid plate in 2015, and no straps for it. 2014 shows and lists the skid late and the front strap only. 2013 lists all the parts.

 

thanks Todd, Ed

 

Here's the numbers for the 3 straps:
front: 6L1Z-9054-AA
center: DL1Z-9092-B
rear: 6L1Z-9054-BA


and if you really want protection, there's a side cover as well: AL1Z-9K014-A


The bolts are not listed as different between having a skid plate and not having a skid plate.

Further, the part listing on the 2014 Expy fuel system components page lists all these as fitting 2009-2017 EL models.