When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Ok, The front gray plastic valance that hangs down below the Bumper on my F-250 is cracked on one side. I was thinking I could just remove it and then I could have a better view of the front axle and differential (makes it meaner looking). But when I climed under there, there is a big steel bar right behind that plastic piece that looks like it is rivited on both sides.
Someone at work today was having a truck camper mounted on their F-250 and I noticed that bar and valance was missing on their truck. Can I take both those off?
It's not riveted on, it's bolted on from the top, I think you have to remove the bumper to get to the nuts. I think it is just a brace or support, don't think it would hurt to take it off. I changed my 2003 front end to the 2004 Harley front clip, I remember taking it off but can't remember if I did it with the bumper on, I don't even think I needed to take it off in the first place. Just look above the rivets, you have to use an extention to get to the nuts.
There is some sort of weird L shaped bracket that it is riveted too. I don't know if it is some package my truck came with ( i bought it used ) Seems like some trucks have it, some dont. I will get a pic of the bracket and brace tomorrow!
In 2001 Ford added a lower "crash" bar for safety issues when getting into a collision with a smaller car, prevents them from going underneath. The crash bar can be removed, and many times is removed when a lift is installed on the 01-newer superduties.
Ya know, as I was looking at the truck at work without it, I began to think about what would happen to a little car that went under there. Specially if the truck was in 4wd, heck it may drive up onto it.
The bar you are talking about is called the "Crash Bar" or Car Bar. It keeps the truck from doing a monster truck show on cars if you hit them.
Im not sure you have to have it by law, but a snow plow I was looking at the install instructions said it had to be put back on if you removed the plow mount.
That bar is the Blocker Beam. It is there for what has been mentioned above. The only time it should have to come off is if you have a snow plow frame attached to the front of the truck, otherwise you're setting yourself up for trouble if you do happen to get into a wreck.
I have the lower air dam removed on my truck and you can hardly even notice the Blocker Beam behind it. The beam is about 1" below the bumper with the valance removed. I'd just leave it in place.
Besides, I'd rather get hung on that than rip the bumper off when I'm playing. It adds a little protection for the bottom of the bumper, not to mention your tranny cooler, radiator, etc.
I've been thinking about removing the valance, it's cracked in 3 places and holding on with bubble gum and good wishes!
What I find offending about the blocker bar is the two 'wings' that jutt out from the spring hanger/mounting bracket. I think it would have looked much smoother if it was flush from the factory.
In addition to the small car protection, radiator and tranny line protection, I've also heard that it serves to add rigidity to the front of the frame.